Is it Flooded?
08-01-2008, 02:33 PM
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Is it Flooded?
As I'm typing this, my '04 RX8 is sitting in the parking lot having not started. Here's the deal.....
My 8 has flooded 3 times. I understand what causes it to flood, I had it towed to the dealer (300 miles away - I live in Wyoming) who spent a month "fixing" it. Well it flodded again on a particularly cold day but I managed to fix it myself using the fuel pump fuse work around.
So today it's 98 degrees outside. I drove my car all over town, stopped to pick up lunch, drove it 200 yards, turned it off and now it won't start. I was under the impression that the flooding was only an issue on cold days. The car cranks, but won't fire up. So is it flooded or is it something else like the fuel pump? P.S. it has less than 40,000 Miles
*****UPDATE*******
Turns out the car was NOT flooded. After cursing, poking, prodding, cranking etc. etc. I noticed the positive battery terminal was severly oxidized. After cleaning the post, the car fired right up! what a relief. It seems a bit sluggish and the check engine light was on initially but I'm hoping the car is merely resetting itself and will return to normal shortly. Lesson learned......keep the battery terminal clean. Thanks again for the input!
My 8 has flooded 3 times. I understand what causes it to flood, I had it towed to the dealer (300 miles away - I live in Wyoming) who spent a month "fixing" it. Well it flodded again on a particularly cold day but I managed to fix it myself using the fuel pump fuse work around.
So today it's 98 degrees outside. I drove my car all over town, stopped to pick up lunch, drove it 200 yards, turned it off and now it won't start. I was under the impression that the flooding was only an issue on cold days. The car cranks, but won't fire up. So is it flooded or is it something else like the fuel pump? P.S. it has less than 40,000 Miles
*****UPDATE*******
Turns out the car was NOT flooded. After cursing, poking, prodding, cranking etc. etc. I noticed the positive battery terminal was severly oxidized. After cleaning the post, the car fired right up! what a relief. It seems a bit sluggish and the check engine light was on initially but I'm hoping the car is merely resetting itself and will return to normal shortly. Lesson learned......keep the battery terminal clean. Thanks again for the input!
Last edited by Jensf1; 08-01-2008 at 09:14 PM.
08-01-2008, 02:39 PM
#2
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whoa whoa whoa, a month to fix a flooded car?! never go back there again. (unless you absolutely have to)
Flooding is more prominent in cold weather but it can happen at any time.
When they fixed your car, did they replace the starter, battery, and plugs?
Let me find you a DIY on how to possibly deflood.
Flooding is more prominent in cold weather but it can happen at any time.
When they fixed your car, did they replace the starter, battery, and plugs?
Let me find you a DIY on how to possibly deflood.
08-01-2008, 02:43 PM
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08-01-2008, 02:56 PM
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So is the consensus that it probably IS flooded despite the warm temp?
The Dealership was in Cheyenne, WY - FYI, I would avoid it at all costs although I don't have a choice because it's the closest to me and is still 300 miles away. At least Mazda paid to have it towed that far!
The Dealership was in Cheyenne, WY - FYI, I would avoid it at all costs although I don't have a choice because it's the closest to me and is still 300 miles away. At least Mazda paid to have it towed that far!
08-01-2008, 03:01 PM
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sounds flooded to me. Check your ignition coils, maybe one came loose? (this happens every now and then)
08-01-2008, 03:20 PM
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Thanks for the input Jedi, on another note. I've had success removing the Fuel pump fuse, but the washer fluid trick you linked to is intriguing, it seems like the results have been mixed though. Can you verify that it works?
08-01-2008, 03:21 PM
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My car has actually never flooded so I haven't been able to test it first hand. From what I've seen, quite a few of the RX-7's have used the method to help them out.
ignition coils look okay?
how long have those spark plugs been in?
ignition coils look okay?
how long have those spark plugs been in?
08-01-2008, 03:27 PM
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I'm really not sure what (or where) I'm looking at when it comes to the ignition coils. I also couldn't tell you on teh spark plugs (I know I'm no help). I'm sitting at work right now and I won't be able to mess with the car until 5 PM mountain time.
08-01-2008, 03:33 PM
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the ignition coils are the spark plug wires. Here's a picture of mine. (red wires)
Pop the hood, remove engine cover. below the strut bar, there should be 4 wires. (yours should be black)
push on the top of them to make sure they're plugged in and not loose. They actually have been known to come loose on the OTHER end; where they connect to the spark plugs.
you can probably check them by kneeling down next to the front left tire. behind them and straight in is where you'll find the spark plugs. get your arm in there and just push on them.
Here's an up close shot of them in the engine bay.
Pop the hood, remove engine cover. below the strut bar, there should be 4 wires. (yours should be black)
push on the top of them to make sure they're plugged in and not loose. They actually have been known to come loose on the OTHER end; where they connect to the spark plugs.
you can probably check them by kneeling down next to the front left tire. behind them and straight in is where you'll find the spark plugs. get your arm in there and just push on them.
Here's an up close shot of them in the engine bay.
08-01-2008, 03:34 PM
#12
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here's a mazda bulletin that deals with engine flooding. Check your paperwork to see if your dealership did this or something similar:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883a.pdf
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883a.pdf
08-01-2008, 03:53 PM
#14
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you're welcome, just trying to help. I can imagine how much it would suck to have your car flooded; hopefully we can get you back on the road.
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