Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

04 GT taking along time to start

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 06:12 AM
  #2  
greg985's Avatar
The 337
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, LA
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
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 09:11 AM
  #3  
zoom44's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
Likes: 115
From: portland oregon
used car matt?
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 10:50 AM
  #4  
Razz1's Avatar
Mu ha.. ha...
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,361
Likes: 3
From: Cali
I bet its a weak battery. Get one that has more CC (cold cranking amps) than what you have now.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 10:57 AM
  #5  
Silver06's Avatar
Zoom Zoom....
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 4
From: Western Canada, eh?
^ 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.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 11:13 AM
  #6  
syntheticdarkness's Avatar
ThEy MaDe Me Do It
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: Stump Creek, PA
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.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 02:37 PM
  #8  
greg985's Avatar
The 337
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, LA
Im confused...are you asking how to properly shut off the engine before it warms up?
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 02:57 PM
  #9  
syntheticdarkness's Avatar
ThEy MaDe Me Do It
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
From: Stump Creek, PA
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.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 03:41 PM
  #11  
greg985's Avatar
The 337
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, LA
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?
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2008 | 04:21 PM
  #13  
greg985's Avatar
The 337
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, LA
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
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2008 | 11:58 AM
  #14  
04RX8man's Avatar
Rotary Powered Countryboy
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
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
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Audio Concepts ATL
New Member Forum
21
Sep 26, 2021 01:59 PM
RayBarron
New Member Forum
4
Oct 19, 2015 08:08 PM
sccarally
Gulf RX-8 Forum
2
Sep 8, 2015 10:34 PM
T_Mags
New Member Forum
9
Jul 24, 2015 11:29 AM
thedragonrotar
New Member Forum
1
Jul 22, 2015 08:46 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 PM.