rx8kush

yea my dipstick looked like it had slushie on it but they said the car was running in great condition after i got all that done to it but like i said something is weird about it still and the coils were replaced about 4000 miles ago

dorayee

Hey Guys,

Just wanna give an updated on my car.

1. The local mechanics replaced all four spark plugs ($350), car def runs smoother but they said there are still some misfire steps in the rotary engine at low rpm and they have no clues on that, and suggest me to follow up w/ the mazda dealer near ithaca

2. I called the mazda dealer and schedule an inspection on this coming Monday, the mechanic (who did my heater core replacement at the dealer a month ago) said it might be a transformer problem on the spark to cause that problem, and it should not be things inside the rotary engine to cause that, I really hope it will go that WAY!!!

3. I am really exhausted with that I had a car for about 8 months and no problem so far until the Dec about replacing the heater core, I am desperately missing my '02 9-5 saab (had it for 3 years and no problem at all), The constant worry about the maintenance issues just drains my energy so much since i'm a grad stu who have to deal with my own works are more than enough. It is very very fun to drive this cat !!! but I might have to sell it.

Thanks Guys !!!!

jmc23200

Wow, $350 for $80 spark plugs and 15 minutes. Sorry dude. You might want to replace your coils and wires to see if that fixes your issues. It would only cost about $200 to do and if you buy them from Mazda, you can return them if it doesnt fix the issue. Most problems in an 8 are caused by poor maint including but not limited to coils, plugs, wires, and oil changes.

dorayee

Hey jmc23200,

1. I think you might right to the point! I just drove the cat to gym a while ago. Now no more almost lose power stuff at the stop sign, the needle rpm is stable slightly less than 1000 rpm, just a lit flicker above that but much much smoother.

2. The mechanic claimed the coils are in good shape but I doubted they checked them! Since I called the mazda dealer, the mechanic guy who did the heater core replacement for me told me, it might me the transformer issues on then spark plugs (Aren't these coils?) And I just noticed that the driver reader light is flicker in the same way as the engine vibrate when I just park the car (car isn't moving) so I might suspect about the COILS? Am I right ? :_)

Thanks!!

rx8kush

thats exactly what is wrong with my car reader light and everything but i just recently got my coils changed how do we solve this problem?? heeeellllpppppp

jmc23200

If your cars lights are "flickering" when the idle drops, it seems like a power issue. Yoou might have a weak battery or a weak alternator. Go down to your local Auto Zone and have them test these for you.

Coils will always be "ok" until they do not work. Replacing them is never a bad thing and cannot hurt.

rx8kush

somone told me to seafoam my engine what is that exactly

jmc23200

Search, there's a diy.

Actually, looking back at your first post, are you sure they said there was gas everywhere and not oil? Oil could be in the intake, on the air filter, on the MAF, in the upper intake manifold, and on your SSV Valve.

You should try cleaning your MAF first as oil on the MAF can cause all kinds of issues. Not sure if a stuck SSV valve can cause similar issues or not.

rx8kush

well they said it was gas thats was in exactly all those spots but they said they cleaned it and everything is working fine but i dont feel like that is accurate idk i have reason to believe its the clutch somehow because it has not been replaced and its at 84k and the previous owner was a bad driver so idk any chance that could be associated with the loss of power

jmc23200

No.

nsu

Are the 2009/2010 facelifted 8s less prone to flooding and more reliable in general? Thanks!

jmc23200

Suppose to be. We won't know until we get a few owners of them to hit 60K+ miles.

dorayee

Update on my car after an hour trip to the dealership (Matthew Mazda at Vestal NY)

1. They can not provide the compression test for my car since they don't have the machine that can test the rotary engine (the old machine broke down when they moved from Corey NY to Vestal NY and they said it will cost them $28K for the machine so they don't have one at the moment )

2. So I explained to the mechanic what's going on w/ my car and then he did some tests and concluded as follow
- the engine mount is no longer in good shape (both of them) that's why I get the vibration/shudder
- he doesn't think I got any rough idle problems, and also no know issues with engine light on, I asked him about IG Coils and Wires, He said they are ok, no need to change, I don't think he looked at them at all since he said that I never changed them on any RX8 that come to service here so far.

3. I already ordered the new IG Coils, Wires, Engine Mounts (FE01-39-040 and FE01-39-050). Will let the local mechanics to change them, I will supply them the parts. I should do it by myself, let see if there is no more snow, I'll try it!!! otherwise i will ask them to do it, BUT We have to careful Tell them Don't mess up the Wires and Don't over tighten the mounts.

Thanks Guys!!!! I am really really appreciated your guys' help !

nsu

For normal distance driving, do you still need to let the car sit idle for 5 mins to warm up the engine a bit before driving off?

rx8kush

how much were the mounts i think you just solved my problem dorayee

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

Never really had to...
Just don't run the engine hard until its warmed-up.
I usually shift no higher than 5K RPM until its warm.

rx8kush

thanks jon this stop to this thread has been quite helpful

dorayee

Hey

I ordered them online for parts @ URL: http://www.finishlineperformance.com/

FE01-39-050 Engine Mount - RX-8
Options:
Side: Driver
Transmission: Automatic
$84.95 1 $84.95
FE01-39-040 Engine Mount - RX-8
Options:
Side: Passenger
Transmission: Automatic
$124.95 1 $124.95

In total, about ~$100 cheaper than the dealer quoted to me !

nsu

Is engine flooding a fact of life of 8 ownership or it's always the result of an owner's negligence?

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

I would now say its owner's negligence.
With a good battery, upgraded start, keep up with maintenance (like spark plugs and coils), and make sure the car is warmed before shutting back off.
Do those and you should be good.

rx8kush

now that i think bout it the first time i flooded my car all i did to fix it was remove the fuel pump filter and crank then replace fuse and it started right up but all these problems were present shortly after i purchased the car at 72k and way before my first flooding about 5k later on ...mayb there has been oil oil on my maf or ssv valve because i know there is nothing wrong with the air and fuel filter because i got that all replaced that last time i flooded,,,,,im getting a new intake so i will see if that fixes anything

rx8kush

i got all new wires plugs air and fuel filters coils battery could be the problem because my map light flickers sometimes and upgraded starter??? i saw the price about 350 way too much anything cheaper,on sale??

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

What year is your car.
Only the '04 and '05 needed the upgraded starter.
Watch the buy/sell section of this forum for anything cheaper.

rx8kush

04 i also i think this car was drivin on the beach because when i quickly changed the battery the first time there was sand everywhere so idk mayb sand is on something ??? so im gonna check those starters out thanks

eastclevedon

SWEET! FLOODING NO LONGER A WORRY! Love my 231 RX-8 but didnt love my dad so much when I visited his and he had to move it off the drive to get his car out. Start - stop - start = flooded engine.

Little did he know what he had done, but it had never happened to me before and I was confident it wouldnt! However, just as the battery is dieing on me after several attempts to restart, I ring my Mazda dealer (for the first time ever for help) who conveniently live just down the road. I stressed how close i was to them but they wanted me to tow it too them quoting £240 to fix!! (clean of rotars, new spark plugs etc) at that I replied is there really NOTHING else I can do?

HERE IT COMES:

He went off the phone for abit and came back on to say...Mazda doesnt recommend it, but there is another way to get your RX8 started. Tow it at 30mph, and put in to 4th gear, after 15 secs or so it should fire up with quote 'no damage caused whatsoever'.

At that I thanked him, and he said again Mazda doesnt recommend this though, to that i said, is it because its free? He said - yes. What a legend.

So my dad and I head out with a solid tow bar and the beast fires up just like he said it would. One of the best drives home Ive ever had follwed!!

Hope this helps some of you! Im not freaking out about it happening to me again anymore!