Razz1

Ok, sounds like you've had this problem before the M flash.

here's what you do:

Go to the dealer be polite but very demanding. Sounds like the plugs were fouled from the previous floods on the previous flash (s). Make them change the PLUGS and the OIL.

You can not fix those fouled plugs. They must be changed.

However if you know for a fact they changed the plugs, then............ ? ? ?

I gaurantee you they did not change the plugs.

Also, the battery is a piece of ****. Make them charge it. Better yet, replace that piece of junk. It's worth the $40

Georgia8er

I only had mine to flood once, but have since gotten the flash. My dealer said they'd had trouble with people just "tapping" the starter and not keeping it engaged until the car started, causing a flood condition. Not sure I believe that but it does make some sense.

red_rx8_red_int

I agree this is a HUGE problem. I had lived in a large city and have just recently took a job with a large company headquartered in a very small city, and I may actually sell my 8 due to the flooding issues! Before the move, there were probably 3-4 times a year when I had to wait to shut down the 8. In other words, unless I was moving the car from the garage to the driveway, my drive was typically long enough to completely warm up. Now I am in a very rural area where I live a mile or two from work (or I will once we close on the new home) and to go out for lunch it's also very close. If I have to sit and wait for the car to warm up on 90% of my normal trips then this car will not be for me! Otherwise I love this car, 35k miles and no flood, but there has been hard starts and spotty dealership maintenence issues. PLEASE MAZDA FIX THE FLOODING AND STARTING ISSUES!

itsblue

Mine flooded for the first time at the weekend.

Car has electronic fault that causes flooding on exceptional occasions according to Mazda technical department. The car is becoming a "b!stard" in the breakdown community because all the dealer/breakdown guys can do is turn the ignition on/off for 6 seconds periods until the flooding is resolved. (and you get a cool reaction of smoke from the twin exhausts when the car eventually starts back up). Sometimes it can take 2 mins or the guy was saying even 45 mins to get the car started.

Still, my opinion of the RX-8 remains unchanged - Its a gem.

devoid

Check out my DIY on deflooding in under 5 mins!

BAM-BAM

The first time it flooded, the writeup stated they replaced plugs, new battery and new flash. This time...new plugs, new battery...and new flash. So there ya go. Im glad to see that other people think that a startup ritual is a pretty big deal...especially since its not significantly stated before purchase. I was beginning to think everyone on here is unemployed or is in high school and has all the time in the world to jump through all the hoops required to make this car run properly, or just start. Its not impossible to do, but I recently turned down a chance to go on a spring break road-trip down south because I was worried about something like this happening down there. My friends think I have the newest, most "reliable" vehicle out of all of us...but reliable is sadly stretching it sometimes. Like I said, love the car, hate the major flaw.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

BAM-BAM,
Are you saying your car is on it's third battery according to your dealer? And the same for the plugs? Maybe I'm misunderstanding this. Something's wrong here.
Dishonest dealer maybe. I'm puzzled. If this is truly what they are stating, please seek a second opinion.
Paul.

BAM-BAM

Affirmative. I know the batteries were new both times. I can only assume the plugs were new...why not put new plugs in as long as your de-flooding it? I really just think there is no solution so this is what they have to do...battery is ruined from me attempting mazda anti-flood start, plugs are saturated and fouled, and they figure why not give me the latest flash, or a reflash of the same kind as last time, in case it didnt take. Doesn't ssem to abnormal to me, but too bad there is no permanent solution.

salituro64

I spoke with someone who has 2 RX7s (1992 and 1988 I believe) and apparently flooding is not a problem with just the RX8. It seems to be inherent with rotaries. He told me he installed a fuel cutoff switch and never has to worry about it. Hit the cutoff switch, then in a couple seconds shut off the engine. This is just what I was told and I haven't confirmed this information. Maybe other previous RX owners can confirm this.

pbuck1

salituro64,
Sorry to hear of your problem I just had Mazda put in the updated starter & battery & spark plugs and what a differance the new starter spins at 3x the speed as the old one and new battery is a 680 cca the new spark plugs are hotter than the old ones . Now its not easy to get mazda to pay for the parts the run all totaled around $1000.00 installed . I work at a Mazda store and I had to work on my rep for more than 2 weeks to get it done . Mazda is not willing to say there is a problem in the cold parts of the country but this will fix your problem .
Pat

bowlhead

BamBam -

If you get a chance read my posts under Tech Garage Issues and problems sticky thread Engine Flooding Info/Questions

RX8 Pusher

After 11 months of ownership and 13k miles, I became a member of the "Flood Club"! There was nothing about starting, shutting down to soon, etc.....Drove it 60 miles (amble warm-up time), put her in the garage, the days later..........in the car, push in the clutch, turn the key, and BANG! I am a new member; it was as simple as that.
Heck, I had just had it serviced a month earlier, re-flashed to M, blah, blah, blah
-a day later with a new battery, new plugs, etc...And I get a hard start today. I have to say as much as I love this car (just ask my wife...I love it) I am not pleased with the whole flooding thing.......for a consumer to have to say a little prayer each and every time I get in it that sounds something like this: "Dear God I am late....please do not let that flooding thing happen to me right now!" is BS.
Mazda Corp- if you guys are reading this stuff: FIX THE DAMN PROBLEM! HELL, MAN HAS WALKED ON THE FREAKING MOON FOR CHRIST SAKES! MAKE MY CAR START EACH AND EVERY TIME!

devoid

^^^ I say again:
Check out my DIY on deflooding in under 5 mins!

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

Some of you guys don't get it. The typical owner doesn't want to hear about de-flooding methods and techniques. They just want worry free driving.

rx8cited

What we want and what we get are not the same.

Better to get familiar with the de-flooding methods and flood prevention techniques on our own terms rather that after it happens .

loco4rx8

So, am I to understand that a new starter is available from Mazda? Could I go into the dealer and request the new starter and battery?

For the record, I've not experienced a flood in 32,000 miles, but I do take every precaution to avoid it. I always let it warm up, and if I absolutely can't, I do the rev it to 3K trick.

snap-on

I think at least you need to get the larger battery. The starter is a last ditch effort and from my tests I only shows minimal cranking speed gains.


If RX8 Pusher flooded with the major things performed (plugs/flash/battery) he will be the first HP model I have heard of...

loco4rx8

Thanks snap-on. I think I'm going to request the battery at my next service. Even if I have to pay for it, it's probably worth it for peace of mind.

RX8 RX8 RX8

Loco4rx8,
You should not have to pay for the battery. They [Mazda] know that the battery is to small and has an influance in our flooding problem.

Snap-On, if you read RX8 Pushers post, he recieved all of the stuff [battery, plugs, flash] after he took the 8 in after the flooding.

I am with RX8 Pusher....I say a prayer every time I get in that it will start.....

Outlaws eXtreme

One of the Rotary Mechanics at a local dealership recommended that I get a better battery than the stock ones Mazda uses. Should remedy the flooding part... more juice is better. He said Optima is pretty good... but not sure what the difference is with Red/Yellow tops though :P beats me.

JoePaterno

You people who live in warm climates need to stop commenting on flooding. I see countless posts saying something like, "I've had my 8 for 13 months and it's never flooded." Then u see that the person lives in San Diego. Well two plus two equals four, but do u see me posting that **** all the time? FLOODING IS MOSTLY A COLD WEATHER PROBLEM. You can do whatever you want with the 8 in a warm climate. U can start it and shut it off quickly 100 times a day if u want. It's not usually going to flood.

Outlaws eXtreme

I live in Southern California, Warm up the car all the time, use to own a FD so that's not like I don't know anything about Rotaries little issues. I've had it flooded twice already. One time I pulled out of driveway, went to the local market, came back, checked the car 2 hours later...and kaput.. dead. The other time was at the autobody shop, told them to warm it up, keep it running when it's parked for a few minutes even. Kaput. Dead.

So don't assume it's ONLY a cold issue. There's something up.. perhaps it's the battery... I'll change it soon and see if that helps this issue.

JoePaterno

R u sure that flooding is the problem? I'm not assuming anything. It think it is fact that flooding happens mostly in cold weather.

RX8 RX8 RX8

Damn Joe, kind of harsh wording there. As a self-proclaimed expert on the flooding issue, how do you account for the warm weather floods?
Your comment of "but do u see me posting that **** all the time?" is what I am talking about.... you act as if you are tired of reading about flooding in your "private" rx8 club forum. It is a forum for the discussions of problems like "flooding". If you are tired of reading about it, then I suggest that you stop spending your valuable time in front of the computer and do something constructive.

Outlaws eXtreme

Am I sure? Yes I'm sure. 100% Postive. I saw the rotary mechanic diagnose the problem, and changed out my spark plugs at the dealership. Unless you are some omnipotent being, I doubt you will know more about Rotary than the mechanic that has been working on these types of cars for the last 20 years.

I can guide you to people living in cold climates that have never had any flooding issues.

Cold Climates can lead to higher chances of flooding, but not the only reason. I would love for you to show me the prove that says "happens mostly in cold weather."

Btw, you first said you are NOT assuming anything.. then you say, "It (sic) think it is fact.... " Well you are assuming. You think it is, you don't have facts to prove it. Next time try and think before you post.