falken8

The other day I noticed that when I start the car, It idles at 2k, and the whirling sound of the engine is pretty loud. I wait about 1min, then it quiets down and idles at 1k, like it should...so if ur car is idling at 2k or above, don't drive off, let it warm up for a minute. also, dont turn it off right away either, and u should be ok.

Just my 2 sense

sfourza

What's the current Mazda policy on dealing with flooded RX8's? I've had the PCM reprogrammed and the starter replaced, but it still happened when my wife had to move the car while I was away, and didn't let it warm up. Now the dealer says I'll have to pay for dealing with it, though it's still under warranty.
Sfourza

Mendossa

I heard that the official word from Mazda is they cover the first flooding for free, after that they'll charge you for dealing with it.

But some forum members were able to get Mazda to cover more than one flood (after a lot of arguing I suppose).

msrecant

Do you also have the new battery and upgraded leading plugs? If not, Mazda should be on the hook for the upgrades as well as the de-flood.

Also, try calling the 800 number to see if Mazda USA will cover the deflood. They will do that in many cases where the dealership takes a hard line.

Also, just curious, is your 8 a 2004/2005 AT?

jannie

A week ago I committed the ultimate sin. Pulled the RX-8 out the garage to be washed. You guessed it, dead a a duck trying to start it again.

Mazda South Africa claim they don't know about a generic flooding problem and I need to get the car to them to have a look. So before I start pushing, I decide to come here and read.....

Holy cr@pola! Over 40% have voted they have the flooding problem! And I suspect the other 60% is just clever and always warm the car up. And Mazda SA claims there's nothing wrong. I've written the local motoring press.

In any case, using the hints in this thread I got the plugs out (via left wheel bay), cleaned them and after doing it all over twice she fired up again.

So thanks for all the hints.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

There is nothing wrong with engine flooding.

Even Piston engine can be flooded. its just that due to design, Rotary engine have a higher chance of flooding.

I never warm my car up, I just pull her out 3 hours ago to wash her. You just have to make sure that you have the newest flash (ECU programming)

jannie

Never had this with my RX-7, but twice already with the 8. And according to the poll in this thread, I'm far from alone.

What is the latest version of the ECU flash and how can I check if I've got it? Seems I have to tell Mazda SA what to do, check for, etc....

msrecant

It is more than just the ECU flash. The "Engine cranks no start" service bulletin references four changes to improve avoiding/recovering from engine flooding:

- Updated PCM firmware
- Larger battery
- More powerful starter
- Redesigned leading plugs

You can print a copy of the bulletin from http://www.finishlineperformance.com...48-06-1691.pdf .

Note: Mazda still recommends against cutting the engine off cold, even with all the updates. Best bet to avoid flooding is to make sure the engine has warmed up before turning it off.

Hikago

Just curious, has Mazda made any changes to the newer RX-8s to make less prone to flooding than the first years?

swoope

iTrader: (5)

yes

beers

GrRx8MaZdA

Can the 06 starter be used on a 04 model without changing anything else??and where ca i find one??not from mazda though too expensive

Rx-8 TT

Engine flooded and second time.

I just went local dealer and explained it.

They called me that everything is fine except battery.

Battery has to be replaced and I have to pay for it, $130.

Hm...I do not know. I asked them about condition of spark plugs and

they said again that Everything is Find! Just Replace Battery!!

Anyway....I have to pick my baby up.

INREALTROUBLE

I HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX MINE. AFTER FINISHING THE ENTIRE GAS TANK DURING A TRIP THE CAR NEVER STARTED ANYMORE. IN 2 OF THE PLUGS, THERE IS NO SPARK AND HENCE THE CAR TAKES ALMOST 20 SECONDS TO START BARELY AND DIES DOWN EVENTUALLY. PLS HELP. NO MAZDA DEALER IN MY COUNTRY. 12000MILES ON 2005 RX8. NUMAYER@GMAIL.COM

tellio66

My 05 was flooding on occasion when the engine was warm. This was a recall and the issue was resolved by my dealer.

saskloppers

The best way to start a flooded Renesis is with a quick tow in 2nd gear. Since I changed my rotors to modded Rx-7 rotors I haven't had this problem. Maybe the 9:1 compression has something to do with it.

I recommend the tow method though. that's what most Mazda workshops do though few would admit this. There's no need to clean the plugs though. Just a good run after it has started will clean the plugs most of the time

GrRx8MaZdA

You changed to fd3s rotors??And what mod do they have on them?Why you say modded??Did you kept the renesis apex seals??Do you have forced induction??What top rpms are you running now with the rx7 rotors in???

jack hilift

On the flooding problem. My RX-8 is a 2006, (Build date June 2006) with about 4500 miles on it. I have not had a flooding problem but usually let it warm up (idle) before I shut it off. The other evening, I had it parked out and drove it into the garage and left it idle to warm it up. The next morning it was still running. The cooling fan was running but the engine temperature was normal. No major damage that I can tell except, but it may be my imagination, that it has a little less power on the low end and may take an extra turn of the starter to get it running. Any body got any comments ( besides my being stupid)?

Racer X-8

Nope. The "you're stupid" thing is all that comes to mind.

Make sure you take it on a good drive and blow any crap out of it that might have built-up.

pianopop9

is the correct fix to a flooded engine really to start the car with the gas floored? that sounds like it could really do some damage but of course i've never owned a rotary before.

msrecant

Close. The procedure is to CRANK (not start) the car with the gas pedal floored. The floored pedal is used to indicate to the PCM that no gas should be injected into the engine so that the trapped fuel can be ejected from the engine (or so the theory goes).

Rotate

Haven't flooded by RX8 in two years (whew), but it was a common occurance on my RX7. I used to pull the CB's for the fuel pump and crank it over to blow out the fuel and then it would start every time.

NightShark

people are telling me that if i'm doing short trips, to prevent flooding i'm supposed to rev the car up to 3.5k-4k rpms and shut off the engine. they say it will prevent the flooding issue,
anyone hear of this ?

Rotate

If you haven't had issues I wouldn't worry about it. I have started my RX almost every day to move it out of the way to take my motorcycle out from the back of the garage, it is run for no more than a minute or two and it has never been an issue. I would be more concerned about ensuring the ECM was flashed to the latest as Mazda have really been working to fix the problem.

ranmcc

yep... it's referenced many times throughout the owner's manual... as well as the DVD...

pianopop9

what does "crank the car" mean exactly?