04 GT taking along time to start
 

Specs: 04 GT AT 58,000

I live in IL. and it has been getting down to sometimes -5 with wind chill... and lately my car has been taking sometimes 5 to 6 sec to start after being left out in the cold from 1 to 12 hours or even being left in my garage that like 50 to 60 degree usally.

My question is how can I stop this from happening I warm my engine ALWAYS (especially after having to pay $500.00 to fix a flooded engine) and yet it still takes a long time to turn over and it kinda scares me that my car might not start up. Isn't there some kind of new starter or something? Or is it maybe my coils need to be replaced? What else could I do to keep my car starting fast?

Another question what is the proper procedure for warming the car? Is it rev the engine (while in neutral or park) at 3000 RPM for 7 sec than turn the key to off while the engine is still at 3000 RPM or is it rev the engine (while in neutral or park) at 3000 RPM for 7 sec than turn the key to off when the engine has idled down to normal idel? I am really confused on this minor detail. I'm a noob...I know, but this whole warm your engine or your car will flood thing is making me pissed at the rotary.

First check your battery, if it has never been changed then its about time, that may help your starting. Cold weather puts alot of strain on batteries. Second about warming the engine, start the car while it is cold and wait about a minute or so for the RPMs to drop a little then drive to your destination. While driving never accelerate hard or go over 3k RPMs until the engine has completely warmed up for a few minutes. Forget that whole rev the engine at 3k RPM thing, the best way to warm the engine is by driving it. Just remember to wait until the engine is fully warmed(about half way up the temp gage) before shutting it off, doing so may lead to flooding

used car matt?

I bet its a weak battery. Get one that has more CC (cold cranking amps) than what you have now.

^ good advice above. A new battery is cheap insurance.

Later year cars have a starter that spins faster (as well as a better battery); although your warranty is probably gone.

Your thoughts about new wires, plugs and coils are also very sound. Upgrading these components will help to get a better spark. If you can do replacements yourself, you'll save a lot of money.

Also, if you leave your car outside a lot, there are stick-on oil pan heaters for less than $100, from a good auto parts store.

Good luck.

I got a new battery and my starter is the 12v-2.0kw instead of the 12v-1.4kw, but mine is a mt. My car started slow until I got the new battery. The old battery seem to hard charge just fine, but I think it was getting weak and my gauge doesn't pick that up. It was about 20*f here and so far so good. I got this information from a page mazda sent me.

Yes, I bought my RX-8 used at 55,000. I unfortunately didn't have the 32,000 for a new car :) my old car was a 1985 Grand Marquee "BOAT" so I love my RX-8!


Sorry I was asking the proper procedure for warming an engine when its still cold before you wanna shut it off.



Does the new starter really help though? And how much do you think it would cost me? Also do you think I might need some more coolant? The only thing that worries me about more coolant is I have no clue what was used before and I heard if you mix coolant you could mess up your engine?

Im confused...are you asking how to properly shut off the engine before it warms up?

Well to me I think the new starter would help since it's a little bigger, and if you can get the same size somewhere other then mazda it shouldn't cost to much. I've changed my coolant and have no problems, but I do want to use the stuff mazda has since it sounds better, but that's my opinion. I know in my manual it doesn't specify any kind, but it does tell you not to use coolant that contains alcohol, methanol, borate, or silitate. I'm sure there is better info on the coolant on this site so probably just take a look and see what's there.

Yes exactly, I'm sorry I confused you, I didn't explain it to well.

ok well there is no way to shut off the engine if its cold. Dont start the car if you dont plan on letting it warm up. Why do you want to shuf it off while its cold? Do you live really close to work/school?

Yes, there is actually a procedure to "warm" the engine if its still in cold I was just confused on a minor detail of it.

yes some people rev to 3k rpm and turn off the engine. Theoretically the fuel injecters will stop injecting fuel when you turn the car off but the rotars will spin a few times and expel all of the excess fuel. Use at your own risk though, is it really worth risking another 500$ to get the dealer to de-flood your car agian? Its much easer to just spend an extra 5-10 min to warm your car up, but do as you please

yeah if you dont' have to shut down cold don't but if you do hold at 3k for up to 10 seconds then shut the key off and the rotors will keep spinning and finish pushing the excess fuel out......

Oh and if you do flood it DO NOT PAY 500 dollars to fix it....just deflood yourself either do the procedure in the manual or pull the plugs crank it over and purge all the gas out of the chamber clean plugs/or replace and put back in and it sould fire right up....500 is a rip off for somehting u can do in half hour

do you think a new battery would help solve this issue they did tell me mine was a little low on the cold cranking amps?

ISSUE RESOLVED!

Never buy NAPA batteries I went though my 2nd one in less than 2 years. I just got an interstate battery with a lot of cold cranking amps and the car seems to be starting a lot better now.