I'm an owner of a Hi-Power MT Rx8 Model Year 2008. It's almost 3 years old now and has never made any problem. I'm from Austria so I have an European Rx8.

Several weeks ago suddenly it takes twice as long to start. I never had any problem starting the engine, but from one day to another, it takes longer, every time I start, no difference if the engine is cold or not. The car and engine now have about 35k miles.
Also, my mileage (driving about 80% in-town) dropped from 16mpg to 12mpg, and I also experienced loss of power (wasn't faster than a 140HP vauxhall/opel speedster on the highway)

I have never turned off my car when cold, never flooded it, always carefully driven it warm (using an oil-temp gauge), and it got at least (!) one redline a day to prevent carbon buildup, often more because I love driving in the high-rev range. Also I regularly drive at higher speeds when on the highway (travel speed on the highway >100mph)
I have done Mazda inspections as suggested by the service plan, always used recommended Mazda oil, never used premix. Always driving with high-quality fuel.
Never experienced a CEL.

Things I've done so far:
* Checked cat, high-flow cat was partially melted, built in original cat, which is OK.
* Replaced plugs
* Measured resistance of coils, resistance seems to be OK (and AFAIK later model years do have better coils?)
* Reset ECU
* Uninstalled AccessPORT
* Performed engine cleaning procedure using Zoom engine cleaner.

Performance seems to be a bit better after the things I've done, but starting problem is still not solved and mileage is still much to low now.

My car doesn't have any modifications any more (except the oil temp gauge measuring temperature in the oil sump), and the only mods it had were a high-flow cat and the AP.

I have recorded a video of my starting problem. As you can hear, at the point where the engine would normally start (it has almost immediately started before) it makes some almost-starting noise before it finally runs.

Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov9VMVY8fBc

I hope I could describe my problem with my broken English and I would be really glad if someone could help me. I still do have warranty, but most Mazda dealers here don't have any knowledge of this car and engine, they even filled in the wrong (out of spec) oil on inspection, and so on. They would perhaps simply swap the Engine and I would be very unlucky about that. I really doubt they are even able to do a correct compression test.

 

If you have 35K on the original coils, then first place most will suggest you look is here. There is no really definitive way to bench test these coils, plenty of threads on this topic on the boards. Either have to hook up a timing light so you can actually see electrical output strength/regularity (again, there are threads here on how to accomplish this) or have to swap with new / known good coils to see if this has a positive effect.

Failing this, a compression test may be in order. As long as you can connect with a dealer that has proper equipment to do this, there is plenty of info on the boards about performing a test and what the outputs should be for a healthy motor versus an unhealthy motor - you may just have to "educate" your service tech on how to get this done for you properly.

 

Have you checked your battery? It could be getting low on cranking amps. Although I do have to say, the starting time doesn't seem that bad on your car. My car takes about as long to start.

 

my 04 takes that long to start... sounds like that too, lol

 

Thanks for your replies. I'll try to get some cheap used coils for changing as a test, and before that, also try to start with external current supply.

I could live with the starting time, but the fact that it changed from one day to another and that mileage and performance is also affected means to me that something is broken ...

 

Problem solved, the coils were the culprit. Engine starts like on first day now.
Always thought that later model years have better coils.
Thanks again for your help.

BTW, here's a picture of the old coils:
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7029/img0111ikc.jpg

Static measurement was OK, BTW.

 

im having the same issues 05 GT 79k+ just started throwing occasional CELs on sometimes off sometime but around 5k rpms no power its stutters like it wants to go but just stays flat bout to do the zoom engine cleaner procedure and test it.if that dont work i think in line for a new engine!? :-(

 

Much depends on when your RX-8 was made as yours is at the time of the change.

Turn the Coil on it's side there should be information printed into the Black Plastic..

What does it say..??

 

i have been having the same problems with starting up and never really noticed a loss in power untill i lost to my friends tc. i have noticed 1st gear and 2nd gear are pretty slow. i beat his tc off the line but then he flew past me once i hit 2nd gear. so i am considering getting new ignotion coils but i dont want to take it to the dealership and get ripped of for new coils if thats not the problem. it is an 07' with 26k miles. how many coils are there, 4?

 

I have an 05 with 112k miles that for the past week has cranked over twice as long as it used to. Battery is fine. It takes 1-2 seconds more than the one in the video on this thread. And the first acceleration after start if the rmps are less than 1k it wants to bog down so I have to rev higher or press in the clutch to prevent it from dying, this only happens on the first start, usually when the engine is warm it won't do it but sometimes it still will. I always let it sit for 2-3 min in summer before I move it so it can warm up, and 15 min in winter, so it's always warm when I put it in gear.

So it may be my coils? They are original I believe. I bought the car dec 09 with 89k

 

Take a few minutes of your time to read this very informative post: Starting Issues? START HERE. Post in that thread, you might find an answer there.