So when the car is sitting still at idle it runs very rough and acts like it wants to choke off. When I go to accelerate from a stop there is a lag time and it doesnt go until a few seconds after I push the pedal. It does this about 50% of the time now. This problem is worse when the air conditioner is on. Any ideas cause the engine shop in my town doesnt know jack about rotaries.
Thanks

 

We'll need some more information; how many miles on it?

 

No check engine lights or anything?

Once it gets going, is the acceleration normal?

Last time plugs and coils were changed?

Have you inspected the accordian tube, MAF, and throttle body for oil or debris?

Does the car ever stall at idle?

What range is it idling at, 500-1200?

Any problems starting while hot or cold?

 

automatic with 88,000 miles on it
check engine light is on but because of a midpipe
acceleration is normal after startup but still runs sorta rough
plugs changed 25,000 miles ago (1 1/2 year)
not sure i havent changed coils since i got it so more than 25,000 miles ago
not sure about the MAF, throttle body, etc...noob...i dont know much about the engine honestly...how do u check that?
idling at normal RPMs but very rough and acting like it wants to stall but it has not yet
does not run hot or cold

 

Plugs and Coils need to be changed about every 30,000 miles I'd say. It's hard to diagnose an RX8 that has old plugs and coils. I'd say changing those is your top priority. About $300 for everything. $500 for the baddass BHR ignition system.

 

First, clean MAF with brake cleaner or MAF cleaner ($9). Then go from there. If you just changed your plugs then next would be wires...

 

alright ill try that and changed the coils when i can
i also noticed this only happens the the middle of the day and early afternoon when it is hottest
does the heat have anything to do with this problem?

 

changed coils and plugs and it fixed 70% of the problem but there's still a rough idle especially after warm up.
I have a Cobb AP but its not installed yet because i have to install my RB dual res MP and new wheels first...hopefully that will help
ill let you guys know the results

 

hey guys i was just running through some of my old threads and saw that i promised an update
changing coils and plugs helped the idle about 70%...changed the wires...helped a little more
installed the Cobb AP (only base maps) and all the idle problems are gone
now i just have to fix that RB midpipe knocking
just thought id give an update incase anyone ran across this