RX8Club.com - GUIDE: Effectively De-flood RX-8

Mod Edit: While I appreciate the work and enthusiasm that went into this post, follow the link in post #3. It is easiest and best way to De-flood an RX8.

This guide is put together from various guides I’ve seen and from my own experiences de-flooding my RX-8.
Credit goes to those who have previously put out guides and images already. I’m merely collating their information from my own experiences working with these guides

Firstly what you will need

Socket Set
Jack
Sandpaper
Steel Brush
Battery Charger
Jump Leads
Spark Plugs (If spark plugs are ruined)

Firstly there are guides out there that tell you to remove fuses for the fuel lines and such, these methods do work but there is a more effective method to achieving this.

Step 1 - Disconnecting Fuel Supply

Under the rear seat (UK models is the right side) usually the same side as your petrol cap is a panel. Unscrew this panel and underneath you will see a connector. This connector once disconnected disconnects the fuel supply completely to your engine. So go ahead and unscrew this. This ensures no fuel will be pushed through to the engine meaning there is no need to depress the accelerator to regulate fuel.

Attachment 240909

Step 2 - Removal and Cleaning of Spark Plugs

For this step you will be required to take jack the car up and remove the passenger from wheel off. Behind the wheel there is a small rubber panel that hides the view of the spark plugs. Remove this and remove each spark plug. Remembering to note which spark plug is where! This is essential as if placed in the wrong place it can cause damage to the car and ruin your plugs.

A good guide for this is here http://jp4mance.blogspot.com/

Once the spark plugs are removed clean them. Do not put the spark plugs back in as the engine is still flooded and will get them dirty again.
http://www.ehow.com/video_2326844_cl...ark-plugs.html

Step 3 - De-flooding the engine

So let’s note so far we have disconnected the fuel system and removed / cleaned the spark plugs.

Now is the time for us to attempt the flush the fuel out. Get a piece of rag (cloth) and put it over the spark plug holes once you have given the holes a small clean up of the excess fuel that’s around them.

Now connect your car up to another car or charger to help maintain the battery is at a high charge. Turn the engine to the on position. You should see on your dashboard that the fuel tank is now showing empty which is what we want.

Crank the engine over for 5-8 seconds (don’t do any longer as this can damage the starter motor), now leave for a further 5-10 seconds before attempting to crank the car again.

Repeat this process 5 or 6 times. This should push fuel through the engine and hopefully through the spark plug inlets.

Now go to the spark plug inlets and check the rag. (Hopefully this has pushed enough fuel through the engine so that you can put the cleaned plugs back in. If unsure you can always repeat the crank process a few times. Hopefully you will smell either the fuel or you will see white smoke coming out the exhaust. This is what you want.

The amount of cranks you need to do will all depend on how flooded the engine was before you started.

If you feel confident that you have pushed the fuel through the engine replace the spark plugs and connect the leads back up.

At this point i'd recommended putting the wheel back on and removing the jack.

Step 4 - Starting the car

Now we have the spark plugs cleaned and hopefully removed the excess fuel from the system.

With the fuel system still disconected try a few more times cranking the engine like in step 3.

Now connect the fuel system lead back and try doing a normal start. IF you sucesffully removed the fuel from the system the car should start.

If the car does not start disconect the fuel line again and repeat the steps to deflooding at the start of step 4. Now cause you didnt fully remove all the fuel the first time around a small amount of fuel will of gone back into the engine so it will require a few more cranks before you connect the fuel connector again. Use your judgement on how the engine is responding to guide yourself in how many cranks it requires.

Remmember cranking the engine up uses alot of battery so dont be suprised if you drain your battery a few times doing this.

Keep repeating step 4 till the engine starts or if you feel you have flooded the engine again go back to step 2 and start over.

Hope this guide helps anyone having issues.

I found this method by speaking to a AA employee saying that they found this method can start a flooded RX-8 in less than half the time of just removing the fuses method.

If I find time I will try and improve upon this guide with pictures and video tutorials.

Good Luck