Engine died while driving, now car won't start at all
 

Hey guys, im new here... I just got my rx-8 about a month ago and have not had any problems until now. I was just pulling away from a four-way stop and when i revved to about almost 8k rpm in 1st gear and shifted into 2nd (not sure if it was before or after i shifted gears) the engine made a weird sound and some of my engine lights came on (the ones that usually come on when the engine is stalled) so i put it in neutral and pulled over to the side of the road and turned the engine off. From there i tried to start it up again, but it wouldnt start, just a slow starter sound. I tried multiple times to start it. I left it there overnight and tried to start it again this morning with and without a jump starter and it still won't start.

Any ideas on what could be wrong? It's a 2006 6spd with just over 45k miles. Is it possible that it is flooded or there is something wrong with the fuel pump? Please help!

That is really something I've never heard of. Try checking your fuses maybe? If you think it is a fuel pump problem you may have blown the fuel pump fuse when you reved it like that. That's pretty much a shot in the dark though :/

What condition is your battery and charging system in, have you had them checked by a sparky, have you cleaned ALL of the connections on the battery and starter. Does it start when you jump it. Is there enough gas in the tank,is there fuel pressure.

What kind of weird sound did it make?

Possibly a loud popping noise?

Has there been any updates on this thread? I had a very similar situation happen to me a couple of weeks ago. The only difference is that i had just recently installed the economy tune from an ap cobb. I revved to about 6k when my engine died. It wouldnt start after that. I know that the rev limit is lowered to 6800 with the economy tune. My rx is an 04' with 119k and as far as mods i have an aem intake and hks catback. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you .

Run the factory tune or get a custom tune from MazdaManiac or Kane.

DO NOT USE STOCK TUNES FROM THE COBB...

How did it 'died'?

Stopped dead on the highway, won't crank?

Nasty knocking noise, now cranks and sputters, but won't 'run'?

Revved in the driveway up to 6k, then just shut off like it was turned off at the key?

Details....

Probably fuel related check your EGR Comp 1 fuses

I was accelerating to highway speeds (~55 mph) in second gear and i was at about 45mph or 6k on the tach when i noticed the car stalled and all the dashboard lights turned on. I had the radio up so i didnt hear exactly what happened, but if i heard anything it was a couple of clanks or clunks, nothing good i suppose. I pulled over asap, as i was in traffic, and attempted to start the car again, but with no success. I can hear the starter whine, but the tach will barely even jump. This is the only thing the car does now. I tried to reload the stock ecu tune, but that didnt do anything either. The cobb pulls up some rks1000 code, which does not tell me anything.

Why are is the tuning from cobb not ok to use?

I will also check the fuses tomorrow morning.

Thanks guys, i really appreciate ur help.

What's your maintenance record?

Oil changes every 4k wit castrol gtx 10w30 and a bottle of bg moa. I replaced coils, plugs, and wires at 92k so they were a lil short from being due for replacement again. I also had replace the oil metering pump wit a brand new one at about 110k. I usually premix and redline daily. I think that about sums up my cars service history.

@skc: i looked through the fuses and found an EGI fuse but not one for EGR. Could u have meant to say EGI by accident? Or am i looking in the wrong place?

Yes EGI

Your engine is dead, do this. Take out the spark plugs out of the holes and peek with a flashlight through the holes while your friend turns the front crank pulley with a 19MM sock and power handle. You'll be surprised to find apex seals gone from their groove, usually front rotor.

Thanks for your input man. Now, if you could explain to me ur reasoning behind ur opinion i can understand the situation better. What factors are u considering? U dont think it could be the fuel pump possibly??

So I checked each rotor and although I wasnt able to determine whether any of the apex seals were gone from their groove, I did find long scratch marks on the rear rotor and metal shavings that were attracted to a somewhat magnetic screwdriver. Im pretty sure this means my engine is goners, but I would like to know if anyone else has seen this before and how it could have occured? It was running fine until I installed the AP cobb economy tune. I dont understand how that could have caused my engine to blow. Any thoughts or help would really be appreciated!!! Thanks