JoshuaPRichards

Hello everybody,

I just bought a used 2004 RX8 with 114,000 miles and an automatic transmission. The car runs great and I love it however I've noticed a strange problem where it has trouble starting after the engine is warm. I read a few other posts about people having similar problems. I've only had the car for two days and I had this problem twice last night. I drove to pick up my girlfriend and turned the car off. After about ten minutes we got in the car and I tried to start it a few times but it wouldn't start. After waiting about three minutes i got it going. Later I went to get gas and drove it around to make sure it warmed up. After pumping I tried to start it again and it was the same thing. Every other time I try to start it it works on the first try (although it does seem to take a few seconds longer than it should). I don't know anything about the previous owner so idk if they have taken proper care of it. Also, I read something about a recall on 2004 engines. Do I qualify for this even though I bought it used? Thank you so much for any and all help.

Mr_Pieper

You need to start here:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/

Hot start problems are usually bad compression. The dealer will gladly do a compression test for you. Your 2004 is out of the engine warranty range as it was 8 years/100k miles.

JoshuaPRichards

I've been reading that actually. Trying to learn everything I can so I don't ruin my engine haha. I know very little about cars and also very little about recalls. I assumed that since it was a recall it would apply to all of the cars regardless of age, but I didn't know they still had to be on warranty.

Mr_Pieper

It was never a recall. Just a warranty extension.

simonmd

I don't want to be all doom and gloom but your engine is stuffed. If you bought from a dealer id recommend going back right away and getting a refund.

This is because there is more compression in the engine when the car is cold, once its hot, it drops to such a degree as to make re starting it almost impossible if the engine needs a rebuild due to excessive wear in the rotor seals. 114k mikes is an AWFULL lot for one of these, im surprised it starts at all to be honest!

JoshuaPRichards

It actually starts fairly easily when cold and even when hot I only have to wait a few minutes. Some people were saying they have to wait like a half hour. I also read that there is some stuff you can put in the gas tank to help reduce carbon buildup which could help with compression. Do you think this could be helpful or is it too late already?

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Sure has been a lot of these threads lately
More than normal, that's for sure

Junkman 6394226

HOLD UP! I've had the same problem when I bought my car @114K miles. Mine always gave me hot start problems, but still gave me good power and decent mpg (even more so now).
New things that will help:
Plugs ~ 80
wires ~ 30
Coils ~ 120
Upgraded starter ~ 130-170.

If you don't feel like buying anything there IS a way to cheat. Every time you turn your key to the ON position, the OMP injects a little bit of oil into the combustion chamber to lube the seals during startup. I found from another member on here that pumping more oil (turning it to ON) before starting it *can* help immensely.

The upgraded starter helped me the most. It gets about 1-2 hiccups immediately after start, but then everything works fine. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

P.S. Don't forget to spank your car.

simonmd

Best advice is to get it to a Mazda dealer or specialist and get a compression test. The car should start just as easily when hot as it does cold. If it doesn't, it has big problems.

JoshuaPRichards

I actually just ordered new plugs coils and plug wires so I'm hoping that will help. I also do plan on getting a compression test done however I'm in Massachusetts right now and there's a crazy blizzard so it'll have to wait haha.