Hey guys, been lurking this forum for a bit to educate myself on my car but I've run into a bit of trouble.

I've got an 04' RX-8 with the engine replaced (of course) with only about 5500 km on it.(Estimate, i'd have to calculate it to be sure).

Now my problem, Was in the car wash two days ago and as I was going through my check engine light came on, although I had a flat tire at the time and was about to get it patched and thought that or the gas cap was not put on properly were the problem. Car ran fine so I just assumed it was the gas cap and thought the CEL would reset after 10 restarts. Ran it yesterday and CEL was still on but it ran completely fine, full power and all. However, I went to start it this morning and it idled extremely roughly (went from 1.4 to 3k in a matter of seconds). The CEL started flashing then went solid, then flashed then solid etc. so, checked my engine and low and behold my oil cap was off. Checked my dipstick and it was completely frothy (never seen it before on my car but have heard its common). As well, when running it gives off a very strong smell of gas. Shut it off and just got a ride to school, checked when I got home and still the same.

As well, Im fairly diligent with oil. Oil change every 4k and top it off every week or 2 dependent on how much I drive.

anyway, booked in with Mazda on Tuesday but am thinking I probably shouldn't drive it there... Thoughts?

Cliffs:
-Went through car wash, CEL came on
-Drove for 2 days with no difference, power seemed spot on
-Started today, idled extremely roughly and CEL flashed
-Oil cap was off and dipstick coated in creamy oil.

Thanks in advance guys, I'll take a video of it if its needed.

 

When's the last time you replace plug, coil and wire?

 

Haven't owned it long enough and have never had problems prior to this. Haven't touched them. The previous owner kept it up to snuff though, complete records and barely drove it.

 

Snapped a few pics. Hoping this form supports BBcode

Where the oil cap was when I checked.




Dipstick, has gotten alot better since this morning.

 

You have a flashing check engine light.
Flashing check engine light = engine misfiring.
Engine misfiring means you need to find the cause right way, or else you risk damaging the engine, the catalytic convertor, and turning your car into an expensive paperweight.

99% of the time, flashing check engine lights are caused by a failure in the ignition coils, spark plug wires, and spark plugs.

You can replace them yourself if you know how to follow instructions.
If you're not good at following instructions, then just go to your mechanic in a couple days.

But, in the mean time, don't drive the car.

BC.

 

Will do, haven't touched it since. Thanks!

 

Why would you continue to drive your 8 a couple of days after a CEL, and not bother to scan for codes just because it was driving fine?.....

Did you not bother to stop and think, "Maybe I should get this checked out now, because even though I'm not noticing a problem, it's obviously there, and I don't want it to get worse.".....?

This lack of common sense on the forum lately is making me sick.

 

Also if you have the full maintenance history on the car as you say, just go through it. Find out when the plugs coils and wires may have been changed so you can decide exactly what you want to do.

 

I've driven it a total of 4 kilometers to make it home. Im not stupid enough to drive it with a CEL on.

Will get my dad to, Hes got it at home.

 

Personally I would not sweat driving it with the CEL on if the motor is running fine. If the motor is noticeably missing then I would park it, and if the oil was contaminated I would not drive the car.

Many issues can cause the CEL light to come on and so many of them are minor. YMMV

 

Exactly my thoughts, when it was driven with the CEL on the car ran fine. However, when I started it yesterday morning it sounded extremely rough and I'm assuming the oil is contaminated. Haven't started or drove it since, getting it towed to mazda on tuesday and from what I can deduce from a few videos of the exact same problem on youtube is that I need new coils, wires and spark plugs. Thanks again for the help guys!

 

Quite possibly the worst advice I've seen on the forum.

 

Alright, was repaired today. Spark plugs were done (made sure to ask they were screwed and not just needed to be cleaned) and 2 coils were wet from the water.

Costed a pretty 950, but im glad its fixed, thanks again guys!

Just thought I'd update for anyone with the same problem.

 

$950 ???? Holy moly!!
Do it yourself and with all the money you saved you could
feed a kid in etheopia for a decade. Or yourself for a few weeks...

 

Just today morhing I experienced engine misfire and blinking CEL, so I went directly to mechanic, they test it with their computer and found out it's ignition coil. So, they fixing it right now $80 for the coil + $80 for the labor + tax. Not $950.
Happy New Year, everybody!

 

i have change all the evaporation system becuse the car have 110.000 klm and broken,i took the car to mazda and he fix it, with another evaporation system aftermarket unfortounatly and then i can't erase check engine light with scart control in the computer,he still the light on and the car have no promblem in the engine.....please if someone help.....to erase the light....the car is '05 110.000klm rx8...thanks!

 

help

 

i put aftermarket evaporation system becuase is chiper, the original have a lot if money and i couldnt pay!

 

a grand for plugs and coils?

i should be charging more...

you had enough to overpay for the ignition but can't pay for standard OEM evaporative emissions pieces? i just don't understand, nor do i think anyone can help you without any specifics whatsoever.

 

it's a different guy ... the overpaid guy post was like a year ago ...

 

what do u mean aftermarket evaporation system ?

and ... without knowing the code, nothing we can do.