VT_RX8

I far prefer a pull start. Install the front tow hook and use a strap to pull it. I pulled mine up my sloped driveway then coasted down and it started. had tried all the other stuff before that. Since doing that, it has been starting well, although somewhat slower than I recall. It sat for a couple of weeks recently before going into storage. When I went to start it, the battery was dead. After charging, it started better than ever. I am now convinced the battery/starter have a lot to do with this problem. When I pulled the battery for winter storage, I couldn't help but notice Mazda has provided a container for a much larger battery. In the spring, I think mine will have the highest capacity battery that will fit.

VT_RX8

My '05 came with a Panasonic POS battery. Anemic.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Have the "Engine cranks but won't start" TSB performed and you'll get the better starter and an Interstate battery. Free under warranty.

mattjet

I am also a victim of the flooded engine. It was a cold day and i moved the car from the driveway to garage; maybe had it runnning for 30 seconds. Later when i wanted to drive out the car would not start. I started panicing but after going through this GREAT forum, i realized the engine was flooded. Removed the spark plugs and and cranked the engine dry. Reinstalled the spark plugs, and cranked it a few times and nothing, but after cranking and pressing the gas pedal for about 15 minutes it finally started to fire. Saved me $300,....love this forum. Thanks guys.

bob louden

when your cars have flooded do the garages charge you for getting your cars started when they are under warranty. my car was parked far a week started first time cut out and would not start again,Mazda garage towed the car for 2 miles to start it and are wanting to charge me over £90 for repairs

rx8fanatic2085

I just got charged over 410 dollars because my car was flooded. What really pisses me off is the fact that I didn't even move or start the damn car. I was just about to go to work and all it would do is crank and that was it. So I took it to Mike Raisors here Lafayette on friday and got a rental. They told me if it was a warranty issue they would cover the rental. So they told me the car would be done on monday and it wasn't. They then told me it would be ready on tuesday and it wasn't and then by Wed. the car was done. Now this whole time I had a rental car. So then they tell me that the total was 410 dollars and that thats not even including the 200 rental for the 5 days. So overall to get new spark plugs put in and an oil change cost me 610 dollars that I don't have. How can this **** not be under warranty? It's a design flaw in the car. I had the engine replaced 15000 miles ago with brand new coils and plugs. This shouldn't have happened. I only have 55000 miles on the car now and If I have to pay 600 bucks every time this happens then i'm getting rid of the piece of **** tomorrow. I feel like I have to replace the spark plugs every 15000 miles which is pretty messed up. So now I'm having to call a lawyer and Mazda. If Mazda still won't pay for it then I go the route of the Lawyer and Attorney General.


This isn't the first time I've had my car flooded. I had it happen when I first got the car twice. I haven't had it happen to me since and that was 3 years ago. So I'm a very VERY unhappy Mazda customer right now. I don't know if anyone has any advice or similar problems, cause I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Sorry for the rant I just needed to get this off my chest.

rx8fanatic2085

To me the engine flooding should be under the extended warranty. I mean it is technically an engine failure. If Mazda doesn't see it this way. I'm sure the Attorney General of my state will.

rhjames

I've had my share of flooding, as reported earlier, but roadside service has always got it going with much smoking of the starter motor. Recently I had miss in the engine. I was relieved to find it only needed a new spark plug and two leads. Then I found out it cost over $500. All up, in 5 years and 90,000 km, cost hasn't been too bad (tyres were a shock).

The latest I've been told about flooding is just to rev it to over 3,000 rpm after a cold start before shutting off to clear out excess fuel. However, I also like to get a bit of temperature into it. This is what I do now, and haven't had a problem for about 6 months. I also try to get it up near peak revs at least once each trip, and drive it reasonably hard.

I find that starting is normally very easy. If I ever get an unusual delay in starting, I give it a good burn before turning off, just in case.

One serviceman told be to never use 4th or 5th gear unless on the expressway. I didn't like this one - can't afford the fuel, though the car feels good.

I'm happy with the car, but doubt that I'd buy another rotary.

daniel83

my father has a 2004 rx8 wich recently broke down about sixty miles from his house i had to go get him. he took his car to a dealership they told him that it was going to cost him 1500.00 to replace spark plugs, ignition coil packs and spark plug wire set. i told him i could do it for the price of the supplies i just changed the spark plugs (NGK Laser Iridium part number's RE7C-L, RE9B-T) and now the car won't start it just makes a whining sound. never had this happen from just changing spark plugs so if some one can offer some insght would be extremly grateful. thanks in advance for your suggestions

solelife

yup i think my engine is flooded as well.. all it does is crank during start up.. do you think they will try to blame my k&n intake if i bring it to mazda?

bob louden

the flooding on my car was sorted by the dealer who took out the fuel pump fuse towed the car for two miles put the fuse back in and the car started he does this with ALLthe flooded rx8

rx8khan

first check and make sure u put the plugs in correct then take all the plugs out take out the fuel pump fuse crank the car a few time depends on how bad its flooded crank and hold for about 4 seconds u should see and smell fuel spraying out like mist then replace the plugs just to be sure b4 u put back the fuse use some quick start spray it in the trottle body and let someone else crank the car while spraying dont skimp on the spray use alot it will help to clean out ur trottle body 2 at the same time when u do this the car should attempt to start or it should even start if done the right way then replce the fuse and try starting it hope this helps.....where u from im in toronto if u want i could help u out with this

rx8khan

rhjames

I'm not sure why the fuse is pulled out. I assume it's towed in 6th gear with the ignition off. On the other hand, perhaps ignition has to be on for power brakes and steering. Can you enlighten me on this. Of course, I understand the reason for pulling the fuse if ignition is on.

zenrx8

iTrader: (4)

It sounds like you may have hosed down the rotors and chamber; when this happens the motor makes a strange whining sound as it turns over due to lack of compression caused by loss of the oil film between the rotors and housing as excess fuel washes it away. The Mazda TSB for deflooding includes somewhat complex instructions for injecting oil into the rotor housings which you may or may not have the mechanical know how to perform. Try this:

1) Jack up the right front and remove the wheel to get access to the plugs;; be sure to chock the rears, of course.

2) Pull the leading plugs and the fuel injector fuse

3) Use a turkey baster to inject a about 5 ccs of oil into each plug hole; get out from under the car and crank the motor a few times, repeat.

4) replace the plugs and the fuel pump fuse

5) Crank the motor with your foot off the gas, and make SURE you battery is hot and fully charge, use a jump cable to another battery if there is any doubt. It should start within 3 tries; if it does, it'll smoke like crazy for a few minutes until the oil clears, but it'll run.

Hopefully this will do it, here's hoping you don't have to go to the stealership.

zenrx8

iTrader: (4)

Pulling the fuse prevents the ECU from providing an enriched fuel load on a cold start; the problem is too much fuel already. Two miles is a long way to tow without any fuel to lube the rotors, though; remember, the only lubrication this car gets is through the injectors, there is no crankcase. I'd rather see you crank the car a few times without the fuse in and then replace it before pull starting it to minimize the chance of scoring the rotor housing.

zenrx8

iTrader: (4)

+1, and if your coils and plugs are stock and over 2 years old, replace them, replace them, replace them.

Deathwatch

Me

zoom44

putting the throttle pedal COMPLETELY down also stops fuel from being injected while cranking. no pulling the fuse necessary. cranking for about 8 seconds should clear any unburned fuel out of the engine.

then let go of the pedal and crank again to start- smoke like crazy etc. possibly destroy the CAT.

Deathwatch

Go Figure.

Deathwatch

Thanks for the 411!

Deathwatch

I am a very unhappy Mazda Owner too. Mazda does not stand behind their products. We should not have to replace our plugs everytime our cars get flooded, not only that Mazda should fix the problem for free since they failed to diclose that info to us when we bought our vehicles. I know they did not tell me about flooding issues.

Deathwatch

Stealership is a good way of putting it heh heh. My car still won't start.

SebtownRx8

do you have to wait a while after trying to de flood it and it still doesn't start, to preform the operation again? this is the 2nd flood i've had and by far the worst, even hooked it up to my moms car and tried to start it cause my battery was dying.

rhjames

Do these instructions apply for both left and right hand drive?