Flooding: ECU pedal-to-floor fuel cut vs. installing a fuel cut switch?
 

Hello all,
As some quick background, I am a new rx-8 owner, just bought an 05 sport model sunlight silver, 100% stock. I have owned an 88 rx-7 TII for about 15 years now so have been through it all, so obviously I have a well earned concern for flooding! On my rx-7 I installed a fuel cut switch similar to "rotaryresurection's" write up, and this fuel cut switch has never once let me down in the face of flooding, it worked every single time I needed to use it. Now With my new rx-8 I have had no starting issues, cold or hot, but obviously I want to take all precautions ahead of time. I've already orded the BHR ignition coil pack. The battery tests well and the started clocked at 280 rpm in my compression test so I think those two components are ok. This all brings me to the title question: is the built-in fuel-cut (pedal to floor) in the rx-8 a reliable anti flooding method? Or is there benefit to adding a fuel cut switch?


I'm hoping to hear from anyone that has actually used the pedal to floor method. In my searches I've found that most people say it did not help them, and they end up yanking the fuel pump/circuit fuse anyway, which is just the same thing as a fuel cut switch but without the ability to control it while cranking. In this post "http://https://www.rx8club.com/serie...6/#post4379682" "Darkning" says
Can anyone else verify that the ecu functions this way with the pedal depressed?


I will likely install a fuel cut switch on my 8 in time as a precaution, but was hoping to get some insight from those of you who have used the built in fuel cut system, thanks!

Mine has flooded twice in 4 years, both times I pulled the fuel pump fuse.
I know that works.

pedal to floor method works unless severely flooded. Then you basically have to pull the plugs. My experience

How do you severely flood it?
Trying repeatedly to start it?
Both times with mine I smelled fuel and stopped.
One was a bad coil, and the other a weak battery.

I think it's a bit of a moot point. A healthy car with all the latest (~2007 vintage) software updates should not flood and you've got the BHR kit on the way, which is good. An unhealthy car could flood, but by that point you've missed something important in your maintenance, so focus on preventing that.

I agree completely, I will be keeping on top of maintenance as much as I can for prevention. Ultimately though as compression gets worse with wear I think even a healthy ignition/electrical system could still fail. Ultimately I'm really just curious about the built-in deflooding method from those who have used it, to find out if I can rely on it if need be. It sounds like it does have some value but was just looking for some insight. As far as the software updates you mentioned, what are the updates and how do they help? I'm assuming that's a mazda dealer thing?

S2 pump swap and call it a day. but if you only experience this at 1/4 tank before, and now at 1/2, then it's probably the pump start going out. if you dont care about fuel starve at 1/4 and just want and cheap and fast solution, then just replace the S1 pump. if you want a better solution, then do the s2 pump swap.

Posted in the wrong thread maybe? :dunno:

dang must have scrolled down too far and posted in the related thread. lol