I have observed my wifes Rx-8, 6-speed, with what sounds like an intermitent mis at idle. Sounds like one of the plugs is misfiring once about every 10 seconds or so. Also when standing at the rear of the car you can hear it in the exhaust note.
Is this normal?
Other than that the car runs great. It did have a no start flooding problem back in the winter. But I was able to get it started with out taking it to the dealer.
...........thanks........

 

yes

 

the plug firing order is reversed at idle. trailing first than lead. the sound you are hearing is PROBABLY normal. without hearing it myself i wont say definetly. however if it missed as much as you say then you would get a CEL.

 

yea, i have that too. it's that popping noise from the exhaust right? For some reason the noise is less noticeable with rb exhaust (i don't own one) but heard it and the popping noise not noticeable at all.

 

No, you can hear it standing next to the engine with the hood up. Like I said, it runs like gang busters, but that intermitent mis seems to be real.
I think I will take it to the dealer and have him to check it out and see about getting the 'M' flash installed.

Not meaning to ask another question in this thread, but what is the hissing sound that seems to come from the engine, especially after running it kinda hard. I only hear it after getting on it pretty good after it has came back to idle. Kinda sounds like the sound of a waste gate on a turbo bleeding off boost. It will do this for a few seconds and then abruptly stop?

 

every rx-8 i have ever stood next to and listened to makes this sort of misfire noise. its because of the reversed firing order at idle. if it was truly a miss it would store a code.

read this about the air noise.

 

I have the same "problem." My service department didn't run a scan to check for codes. They said it was "normal" especially when the car is cold; they said it'll run rich which causes the "mis-fire." Whatever. The shop that has done some work on my car was the first to notice it.

I'm going back next week to say I have a rough idle. I was specific to say on my first visit that my 8 sounded like a mis-fire; I'll see where the rough idle gets me.

I'm a little disappointed they didn't run a scan to check for codes. Lazy?

I'm also going to get the brakes changed per the TSB.


EDIT: When I had the K&N installed, the rough idle/mis-fire was heard. However, since going back to factory intake, it seems worse. During my first visit I had the K&N installed; the dealership never said anything about the intake, nor was there anything on my service invoice indicating I had the aftermarket intake. I wonder if they'll notice I'm back to stock.