Engine Overheating?
 

Here's what happened:

Me and some buddies were hanging out and we started talking about our cars. Long story short, I told them mine can shoot flames and they wanted to see.

I revved the car for about one full minute. Eventually it got to the point that flames starting popping out literally every time I revved. I consistently revved from 7k - 9k, then I let off for about two seconds, then 7k - 9k again. As most of us know, the hotter the engine gets the more likely it is that the exhaust backfires.

Anyway, just as I was approaching that "one full minute" point, my RPMs slowly dropped even though I was pressing off the gas. Before the needle hit the bottom of the RPMs, I freaked out and immediately shut off the car. Then I started muttering words of regret as I thought I had just broken a part of my engine or something (I've always been under the impression that RX8s can be revved all day long without hesitation).

After about minute of that, I tried starting up the car again and it started fine as if nothing ever happened. I don't get it. Did the engine get too hot and it automatically shut itself off as a way of prevention? Or what?

Also, during the revving, my airbag light came on. It went off upon restarting the car.

Would appreciate any insight on this situation. To break it down for you, I revved my engine, the engine obviously got hotter the more I revved, the engine eventually wanted to stop revving so it kind of shut itself off, in a way, by basically allowing no throttle response. Turned off car, started fine with no problems, no sign of any problems, etc.

Revving while stationary tells the ECU you are a nimrod and cannot be entrusted with further safe operation of your car. This closes off the Shenanigans valve and ceases the frivolity.

Long story short - 'it knows'.....

stealth knows that it knows

you should never do to much reving of any engine while its not under load. Its much better to do it while driving the car, and can be hard on components when the engine is under zero load.

http://i53.tinypic.com/2l9gt8x.jpg

So did it overheat or not?

So did it overheat or not?[/QUOTE]

Probably. Dropped into limp mode to try and protect itself from an abusive parent.

I feel sorry for your car

lol it's not like I wake up every morning and rev my car just for the sake of revving it

Revved it, went a little bit overboard. I think my engine will forgive me.

the cooling system is not very efficient while stationary. and by very, i mean at all. the fans on the rad can only move so much air, and the oil coolers have no fans at all. they depend on airflow from the vehicle moving. revving in neutral is a terrible idea.

no,

but the physic network could answer for sure..

but really the ecu has been made to prevent stupid.. so seems you are safe. :)

beers :beer: