So I've been seriously considering purchasing an RX-8. A few days ago I started reading the huge 1000+ post thread on flooding, and very quickly started to question whether the car was worth it. Then I realized that I was on post 100 and thus reading posts from 3 years ago. So I skipped to the end of the thread and started reading about all the upgrades now available (starter, plugs, battery, ecu flash, etc) through the TSB.

If I buy an 8 it will most likely be a 2004, which may or may not already have the TSB upgrades. If not I plan to take it in to have those upgrades done.

However I want to know how well these upgrades fixed the problem in these cars. I understand that any rotary is more susceptible to flooding, but from what I was reading in the 1000+ post thread on flooding it is/was a serious problem with the RX-8.

 

My 04 (bought in 03) was prone to flood, situation augmented by the fact I live in a fairly cold climate area (at least until this winter) and I drive my 8 in the winter. With the upgrades to the starter, battery, & flashes I have had nothing even remotely resembling a flood or near flood for quite a while now.

 

i got the upgrade, and have shut it off cold a few times (coolant temp reading 110-130) without issue. The problem is, you don't always flood if you shut it off cold, so doing so a few times doesn't mean you're immune to flooding.

 

Doing it very many times does not mean you're immune. 25K miles on mine and I just flooded for the first time this morning.

 

exactly. I flooded for the first time around 25k too. It was a good thing, the upgraded starter and batt was worth the pain having to get the car towed.

 

In my case I'm talking +/- 100 starts during cold weather months in NH without anything remotely resembling a flood or near flood since the new starter was installed.