It would be nice if those of you who have flooded recently would comment on how many miles their engines have and if they have the latest computer flash (Upgrade) from Mazda.

Please be aware that a weak battery (Often compounded by cold weather) is often the culprit.

 

I had the latest Emission Recall 4260F done last year in Sept. That was suppose to address the flooding problem.............its obvious it didn't!

I have 42,500 miles on my car as of yesterday.

 

2005 with 25,000 km (15,000 miles)


I recently had an awful experience at the Toronto airport involving my flooded RX8.

The airport has a very handy valet parking service (you see where this is going). I was running late, and used it, as I had many times before ...with my Lexus, or my Honda. First time with the RX8.

Upon return to the city, the attendant drove the car part way in anticipation of my flight arrival (they note your flight arrival time). He then turned it off and then attempted to start it again for the short final trip to where I was waiting.

No way. Dead.


The subsequent towing from the 6th floor of the airport parking structure was a nightmare ...too many bumps and not enough clearance for a flatbed tow-truck. It was finally dragged to Gyro Mazda in north central Toronto. They charged me for the parts, but not labor. All in, it was an expensive night. And I got home to my family at 1:00am instead of at 9:00pm.


It is a serious problem.

 

So how did you actually get the car out of the garage without the flat bed?

 

okay this is frigging gay. Mine 2004 rx8 flooded 2 days ago. I bought this in last year October (so juz a bit more than a year). The warranty expired in June this year. so I spent $180 for the towing service.

Just got back the car, and it frigging costs me $500. I am so gonna call up the NA customer relations and yelled at them.

My mileage is juz 34000km.

 

So is the cost of getting the flooded car fixed/started covered by the warranty?

 

Well, it actually happened to me over the weekend. I have read many posts from others on how the RX-8 has flooding issues. When I realized that it was probably flooded, I immediately went to this forum for advice. Then I followed a procedure that has you disconnect a few connections, followed by removing the spark plugs to blow out the fuel residue by cranking the motor. I tried to find the link for it, but I didn't have any luck. In the meantime, my car was towed to the Mazda Dealer. Does anybody have an idea of what I should expect? Will this be covered by the warranty or will I have to pay out of pocket? If so, how much?

Thanks for any feedback!

Mike - Owner of a 04' 6M-Sunlight Silver GT RX-8

 

By the way, my car has approx. 36000 mi on it.

 

Mine flooded 2 days ago. I was not aware of that common flooded issue so I had no clue what was going on.
I had to take the car out of the garage, I started it no problem but did not let it the time to rev and I put it on reserve right away. The car moved 1 foot and stopped. After that, it did not want to start. Warranty is covering it for the first time they told me but they charged me the oil change. Car is a automatic 2007 with 12000km (7 monts old). Now I know what not to do, although in the past I started the car for 30 sec quite often and it never happened...

 

Yup, it is covered under the warranty.

 

I have an 04' RX8 and it has flooded twice on me. The first time they just deflooded my motor. This last time, they had to change out the ignition coils, spark plugs, deflooded the motor and now they are telling me I need a new starter (it is worn out from static conditions...) Does anyone know how much I should be paying to have a new starter put in my vehicle and have new plugs, etc. done?

 

to Justhavinfun....

I had all of the same work done and it was covered under a recall, so you might want to ask about that.

 

I think the guys at the body shop flooded mine, moving it all of 30 feet a half dozen times in a week and all....

 

2004 A/T with about 21k on it. I live in Wisconsin so it's been pretty cold around here lately. I've generally been careful with getting the engine up to normal temp before shutting off but, ah, one time I forgot to and now it sits in my driveway. I tried the deflooding procedure that Mazda gives but no luck. How often does this work and anything else I can do short of getting towed to the local dealer?

 

push it out of your garage, and try to push start it, 99% of times it will work.

I am still wondering why I never flood. Sometimes I just shut it off cold to wash the baby. hmm no flood.

and where did all these *1 or 2 post* people came from ?

 

I recently bought my '04--no problems until the winter started to hit and I figured that this was a good place to come to get some info on what might be happening. Why is it an issue that people only have 1 or 2 posts?

 

The body shop I took my car to complained that my battery was dying.

It sounded more to me like they flooded it, and then ran down the battery trying to re-start it.

Eventually, they were able to get to start and charge the battery up.

Could this have done any damage to the plugs or the engine, or that only when you cannot get it re-started.

Thanks,
Dan

 

flooded last week. 31,825 miles, towed it, they fixed/flashed/did somethin with the starter. "checked the battery" in their inspection.. and now 1 day after I have it back the battery is dead, had it jumped, left it running for 20 min.. died right when I hit the gas... jumped.. died.. towed in again. this time prolly for the alternator.

My car has had recalls done, engine has been flashed several times. took it in to get checked for the big engine recall too, they said it was fine. oh well.. costs them a day of labor , a rental for 4 days and a tow fee everytime my engine crews up.

 

One more time folks:

Insufficient cranking speed is one of the main causes of flooding. That being the case, make sure your batteries are FULLY charged, all your computer updates have been performed and that the car is in tune.

What happens is winter time is hard on batteries and cranking engines with colder oil and engine parts is a tougher task on the system assigned to do so. Less than optimum cranking speed and the combustion chamber is overwhelmed with fuel.

I recommend a battery tender to those of you who park your cars for days at a time and the rest of you should have yours checked for the sake of it at winter time. Old crappy sparkplugs need to go. They will complicate matters.

Seal

 

I second the battery tender, as well as an OPTIMA yellow top battery for these brutes. I'm still suspect of failing coils as being contributors to the problem.

 

I had this problem every since I purchased this car (Nov 2003). The first time it flooded, it happened in Feb 2004. It has happened 4 times since then. The last time was last weekend. Drove the car the entire day, parked it in the garage, and the next day it wouldn't start. I personally am tired of having to tow this car to the dealer. They tell me to let it idle for about a minute before and after I drive it. I have done that and it still floods. Now I am looking to get rid of it because I don't have the time or patience for this car.

 

Two seasons and 14k on my '05 (bought it new 30 March 06) and nary a flood. It already had the new starter/battery and later got the updated flash.

I don't run it for very short distances, say just out of the garage for washing. I generally do the 3k for 10 seconds shutdown went not fully warmed (never less than half-warmed).

 

Bah. Flooded mine this morning, or last night, apparently. Sucks. First time, though, in 4+ years.

I usually am very careful to always drive it a ways, but yesterday, I just wanted to get a light bulb replaced in my garage, and then swap on my winter wheels.

I'll have to try the "remove spark plugs" thing first, then deal with getting a tow tomorrow. Bleah.

And my warranty just expired, I think.

~31,000 miles, I believe, and I got the car Sept 03.

 

Wolf, if you haven't tried it already or don't already know about it, try pulling the fuse for the fuel pump; then crank the motor for about 5 seconds at a time, with about 30 seconds between cranks. Do this five or six times, then reinstall the fuel pump fuse. Now, before you try the next part, have a jumper box or jumper cables on the car unless you have a really strong battery. When you're sure the battery is strong enough, push the accellerator to the floor and crank it. Hopefully it will catch but may run roughly for a few seconds until it clears itself out. I hope this saves you having to pull the plugs or have a tow. Good luck, tell us how it works out.

 

Thanks, zenrx8, I did not know about that.... but no luck.

Towing today, should be at the dealership probably until tomorrow unless they can squeeze it in today. Ah well. Hopefully it won't set me back too much to get it cleaned out.