Help...Engine keeps stalling out.
 

Hi, my sons 04 RX8 started stalling out tonight. Engine starts up, runs a little rougher than normal at idle, at 2 rpm and above it sounds like it has a miss, when we put it in Drive or Reverse, it starts sputtering and dies. If I try to give it more gas, it still dies. If I put it back in Neutral real quick, it keeps running but the minute we put it in gear (automatic) it dies again. Engine Light has come on but I may need to rent a scanner. It almost acts like it has a Vacuum Leak. Anyone have any tips they can offer before I have to have it towed to a Mechanic??? Maybe a vacuum leak or clogged gas filter?

The only thing I could find was that it was 1 1/2 quarts low on oil. (son scalded) topped off oil, checked air cleaner, check coolant tank, check spark plug wires, new plugs installed about 2k miles ago.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Seems you guys always pull through for us on all repairs so far and our family Mechanic is really missing us.

Thanks to all ....Rocket

Do a compression test, inspect the catalytic converter and the usual host of stuff widely reported on this website.

Have you cleaned the MAF sensor and done an ECU reset?

The engine is really sensitive. I have found that this procedure fixed a rough idle and stalling issue once. I also had a strange issue where the engine would just cut out after a high RPM run because it couldn't find idle. In that case, it was a subtle vacuum leak.

I would look at those first and if they fail, go with bse50's suggestions.

Did this start suddenly or get worse (more prevalent) over time?

Hi BigMike, The car has had a rough idle for about month and now it starts but when put in gear, it starts coughing and then just dies, with no acceleration or with. I've read through the forum and will clean the MAF sensor, along with the ESS sensor and will install new Coils as well. Then I'll come back with the results. Hopefully a good one.

I just love this RX-8 Forum!! Thanks ...Rocket

UPDATE:: I cleaned the Maf and replaced all 4 Coils with Borg-Warner coils for $30bucks each from AutoZone. Car now runs Excellent!! All I need to do now is reset the Engine Service Code light. THanks ....Rocket

Awesome. Sometimes it is the simple stuff.

Blech... I have rough idle now. Pretty positive (99.9%) its the coils. I have a cat delete that had no CEL till idle issue started. (non fouler plug drilled out for the o2 sensor) Now with the shitty idle it trips it and I have much worse back firing (too much unburned fuel) than I used to. Time for some Race Roots LS2 coils.

Mind if I ask what coil u are using and when was the last time u changed it?

Cuz seriously, after revision b I just don't see much failure on the coils.