I'm at almost 15000 miles. After my last oil change at 12000. I've had 3 long starts, cranking the starter about 10-13 seconds. Not when cold but after driven 50 miles highway pull in grocery store, back out in about ten minutes. I get a long start. It starts on the second crank but after the first long crank my heart stops a beat, thinking its a flood. But it hasn't ever flooded. Called the service department and they are requesting info from headquarters. She's going in Saturday morning for her 15000 mile oil-change. I'm requesting the flash but just not sure why the long start. All 3 times have been after a complete warmup never a cold move. Have any of you had this to happen.

I'm a little hesitant about the reflash because I'm the one car in an auto that has been able to reach 132mph at the track. I'm hoping this wont affect the abilities of reaching that speed again.
I have no engine mods, cat back, intake. Nothing to give me more than factory.

 

My car is an August build and I have only experienced long starts a few times but they were all after warm shutdowns same as yours. I'm getting the M flash at the end ot the month.

P.S. Why don't you PM MazdaManiac about the effect of the reflash on your track performance and see what he says. That guy really seems to have his **** together.

 

Do you touch the gas pedal when you're cranking the engine, or just leave your foot completely off it?

 

SFERRETT

Completely off. This one has me baffled. The dealer isn't sure and they are still waiting for a response from the big house on the hill. They are downloading the M flash. They haven't had a need, so I guess I will be the first in Spotsylvania.

 

It is common to occasionally experience slightly longer cranking times when the engine is hot.

One of the theoretical reasons for this is that depending on the position the rotor stops in, exhaust gas inside the engine may be able to find its way up into the intake port. This can richen up the mixture, causing a slightly longer cranking time. However, this should only happen rarely.

It does sound like your car is an extreme case though, so having the dealer look at it would be a good idea.

Regarding the flash, if you are offered it you should take it. It can only be good for your engine. Forget about top speed. What is more important? Preventing flooding and hard-starting during normal driving or a few mph once a month when you go racing? You can always pick up the mph again with aftermarket parts.

Hope this helps.

 

just to add, the M flash shouldn't affect your car's ability to reach said very fast speeds in a negative way at all.

 

Just a note: I notice that when starting my engine, many times it seems to be laboring to start. But if i just let off the ignition back to the normal position, the car starts anyways. Its almost if holding the key in the ignition position makes it worse. Don't know why though.

Secondly, it seems the battery in this car is weak for what it needs (to me at least). I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

 

I agree, a more powerful battery in the RX8 would definitely be an improvement!

 

Thanks guys, I do agrre it needs a bigger battery. I would like to put the OPTIMA one in, but don't want to modify a cover or remove the cover completely.

Mr M
Your thoughts make sense on the stop point on the rotor and the gases. Its just happened in the recent 3 weeks. I've had the car since Oct. 03. I just find it odd that it's just now doing it.

 

Well getting the M flash on Friday and will let you know the differance.