RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Actually, no, attempting to jump the car and not being successful doesn't prove that it isn't the battery terminals

There isn't a single symptom you have provided yet that makes me even consider a failure somewhere other than those battery terminals. Yes, a clutch interlock switch problem would produce the same type of 'no start', but it's a simple switch, there is no heat load, no change due to temp, no randomness to it's engagement. It either makes the connection or it doesn't, and it will either make the connection or not every single time. Same electrical structure as a lightswitch.

A loose connection WILL cause these symptoms, and not only is the most likely problem point at the battery, you have already stated that there are problems with the battery connections.

Seriously, address those first, and address them properly. Takes 1 minute.

nomic

my rx-8 is a 55 plate and it has the standard starter on it

i bought my rx-8 a year ago and it had a hot start issue of about 45 mins was an absolute nightmare. i noticed my temp gauge stopped working about 8 months in and suddenly it was a bitch to start on on a morning as well so i got a new temp sensor and reconnected it my cold morning starting went back to perfect not a single issue when cold my hot start issue changed from 45mins to 20 mins i then changed my plugs and coils and now i am at a 7 min hot start issue but i seriously think my cat is clogged because when i boot it i can hear a whistling sound from the engine changing pitch as my rpms get higher and the engine is getting ridiculously hot but the temp gauge stays the same 1 click before half way. if shut the engine off jump out post a letter and jump back in it wont start but bump starts straight away with no issues dont have to wait 7 mins for a bump start.

so moral of my story is check all the bits that have anything to do with ignition and fueling before getting a rebuild if you end up needing a rebuild then u will at least have new bit on it instead of old

Cory24

I have a 2004 Mazda RX8 I bought the car used needless to say I have had this problem from the start I have been through all the forums have heard compression ignition problems coil packs plugs change the oil but I done some more research I check my compression I fix all that still the same problem what I found is the car is actually overheating not registering on the Gage so I took the thermostat out I put in some water wet I drained everything first put straight water in it added the water wet run 20 degrees cooler and that fix my problem

Cory24

I have a 04 Mazda manual I had the same problem I had to wait 10 to 15 minutes before my car would start in the winter time it will start fine the warmer it got outside the worst they probably came and now I pray I could wait just 15 minutes I am waiting 45 minutes to an hour everytime my car shuts off

Joe Schilling

I've got a 2004 rx8 and it starts up cold but once it is warmed up. It won't start unless it sits for about half an hour. 2 codes pop up P0410 Secondary Air Injection System and P0037 HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1, Sensor 2). Can someone tell if I change these 2 items is this going to solve the warm start up problem?

Grace_Excel

iTrader: (5)

No it won't. Same responses as before. Change Spark Plugs, wires, and Ignition Coils. Since it is a 2004, replace the starter with the updated one if it's a manual transmission. Also, check the voltage of your battery, it should be around 14v. Lastly, since it is an '04, get your compression checked. That test will determine the health of your engine, perhaps, that will help you decide how you will approach this problem if you do keep that car.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

+1

May want to have that compression test as the first action, so you know what you're investing any work/money into.

AndiHollisRN

UnknownJinX

Sounds like the dealer is not doing a very good job.

Why don't you use an upgraded starter? The early ones are known to be a bit too weak. The later S1 and S2 ones are a direct replacement.

Are you still having cold start issues? I would assume the coils are replaced alongside the engine. You can check the ignition coils with a timing light.

As for warm start, if you have to wait for 20 minutes or more before it will start again, chances are your fuel pump is busted. Have them check the fuel pressure. There is a fuel tank recall going on for early S1 RX-8s, so you can get it done.

And yes, RX-8 sells for peanuts.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Don't blame the car for people's inability to properly troubleshoot it.
It's somewhat normal -- or not unheard of -- for a fresh engine to need time to build compression and it may be hard to start when warm.

Have you changed the ignition coils or confirmed the ones on there are less than 30k miles old?

As stated above, fuel pump also possible suspect.

AndiHollisRN

Roxy0504

I bought my 2007 rx8 last year for my birthday and found her online 87k miles for around 7g. Thought she was too good to be true. And she was at first. I always had a problem where after I drive her and her engine is warm, once I shut her off I have to wait about 10-20 minutes before she will start again. And some people even said that it is a normal problem with the car but that didn’t sound right at all. I was driving her on the highway and I stopped for a toll booth and once I drove off again before I got to the speed limit she lost compression and I rolled to the side of the highway. She wouldn’t start again until I towed her to a shop and they replaced ignition coil, oil filter, both spark plugs, the battery, and the terminals, and they also lubricated the apex seals. I learned I have a junkyard motor in her and that terrifies me as well as her now having almost 91k miles on her. She was doing fine since December when I fixed her but today after I drove home from work I left her running in the driveway with the ac on since it is hot outside and ran inside to change clothes to go to the gym, when I put her in reverse she lost compression and after putting her in drive and trying that to no avail I pushed her into my driveway from the road and put her in park. Her brakes locked up and she wouldn’t go back into drive and her engine light popped on. After having a mental break down after shutting her off, I turned her back on and she started fine. I love this car and wanted to have her for a long time, should I consider letting her go and trading her in? I’m new to this site and don’t know how to create a thread so I apologize in advance.

UnknownJinX

Okay, so have you ever gotten a rotary-specific compression test before? That will be a critical step in deciding if you want to keep the car, and how much it is going to cost or sell for.

Go to a Mazda dealer or rotary mechanic to perform this. You should have 8 numbers for the test, 3 compression numbers and a cranking RPM for each rotor.

And what do you mean they "lubricated" the apex seals? Like they poured oil into the housing? If you need to do that, yeah the engine is dead or dying.

If you have a catalytic converter, that also needs attention. If your ignition components were dead then there is a possibility you fried the cat in the process.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Hello.
I would never tell you to get rid of a car you love, but before sinking too much money into it, consider getting a rotary specific compression test to see if the engine is good.
If it isn't, consider another RX8 , but with a 6 speed manual.
The auto tranny models aren't very desirable, underpowered and expensive to repair.

You say you lost compression when it died, that's not an accurate statement, you don't know why it died, it could be compression related, but that's a guess.
Could be many things.
You said 'both' spark plugs, there are 4.
Unless you have a scan tool or a device with bluetooth to monitor the OBD system, take it to a car parts store and get a OBD scan, see what it says, and proceed from there.

UnknownJinX

If you like/love something, you'd be willing to learn about it.

In a sense, an RX-8 is like an older BMW that's easier to work on. Not like a Corolla that you can just drive to a random mechanic and just yell "fix it up!" and walk out. So yeah, click in the links in my signature, OP.

The 2006+ AT models are okay, but if you are purely getting one because you couldn't be bothered to learn to drive a stick, you are missing out.

Roxy0504

Hello, thank you for replying! I’ve been slowly learning this car and have fallen in love with it and don’t want to trade it in, as I’d be taking a huge loss that I don’t believe I can afford right now considering I’m financing the car and still owe a lot on it. I had checked my service record that the shop I took it to sent me after “fixing” my car and they charged me 95 dollars for “Apex seals- lubricate”. I was praying it was something small. But I fear the worst considering the starting problem where I have to wait before starting her, and now this compression loss. I fear it is a sign that I have to move on but I don’t want to give up on her. Everything I know about cars I am learning for myself and I feel lost a lot especially on the not too well known rotary engine. I will try to get another compression test but that is an extra 100 bucks to start and I’m not sure if I fully trust the shop I took it to but it was the only one willing to work on my rotary

Roxy0504

To be honest I am reluctant on learning how to drive a stick I would be teaching myself and I’d have almost no clue as to what I’m doing and I’d be afraid to hurt my car but I did want to learn everything I could. I have a lot of pride and love in my rx8 and it would crush me to have to trade her in

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

We're a pretty helpful bunch here.
Let us know where you are, many members are willing to help others at no or little charge.

UnknownJinX

This shop sounds a bit fishy to me since they charged $95 for just pouring oil into your housings(they already changed your spark plugs so there is no extra labour involved), and if the shop doesn't have a device like the one shown below, the compression test wouldn't be too helpful. Do you not have a Mazda dealer near you?


This is a reference. Exact model and details can vary a bit, but they should generally look like this.

Rotary engines are well known enough to have their own knowledge base. RX-8 Help is a good place to start. I didn't know much about rotaries before that website and by the time I studied through it, I knew how to pick a good 8, and did so.

What I did was that I bought an old Corolla with 5-speed for $1200, and learned on that. When I felt confident, I sold it for $1100. College students would be all over cars like this.

Lots of videos online on how to drive one. Even if you don't plan on driving one daily, it's a great skill to learn, especially if you travel outside of North America in the future.

Edit: oh yeah like BC said, add your location and there might be someone near you who can better diagnose the car for you. You seem like an okay guy so sorry about me coming off as a bit harsh.

Roxy0504

Thank you so much! I can’t decide on what the best option is for me and that bothers me deeply. I love that car like a baby but don’t have 4K to shell out for a new engine nor the money for the labor. I would if I could but I still don’t know much about cars and don’t even know how much money I’d be sinking into my rx8 even if I did have the money to put in a new engine. Then I still wouldn’t know the life span of the rest of the parts inside her. I don’t believe she was very well taken care of and that is sad she’s is beautiful and powerful and was going to be the car I had and continued to tune up and fix until she ran into the ground so to speak

swoope

iTrader: (5)

location! so someone can help you.

beers

Roxy0504

Thank you all very much for the help! And actually I am a woman, I’m 23. I’m trying to learn everything I can about cars especially this once since I have such an adoration for it and respect for it. I will definitely look into a Mazda dealership and see if they can help me! If not I’m afraid I’ll have to consider trading her in, unfortunately.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Avoid the stealership ar all costs except for recalls and compression tests.
Many are unethical and young women with limited knowledge are often taken advantage of.
Is 504 your area code?
Used to be mine.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

location has been added. spring hill fla.

i am about an hour and a half away. but i am not available for the next two weekends.

beers

UnknownJinX

Depends on the dealership, but yeah, like you said, I can't imagine things going well more often than not.

There is Pettit Racing in Palm Beach, which is kinda far but that's the closest rotary professionals.