No power, low rpms and hard(ish) to start?
 

Hey,

So lately I've been having a problem. The car seems to be getting harder to start. It takes longer to crank, and there is an uneven "giddy-up" to the sound of the engine turning over before it starts. Once it starts, it idles fine.

The second part of the problem is low rpm performance sucks. If I take off from a light without revving the motor, I can floor it and it won't really go anywhere...the rpms don't build, although sometimes there is a mild bucking. I don't hear anything like a knock but I do wonder if if the car is detecting it and backing off timing. Once the rpms do finally rise, or if I rev the car, it seems pretty normal.

Any ideas? TIA...

Far as the starting... you probably have an '04 or '05 with the original starter and/or a weak battery.
Does this sounds familiar:
http://www.vimeo.com/3653485

The low performance could be anything from ignition related, dirty MAF, or intake leak.
How many miles are on the car?
When was the last time you had the plugs and coils replaced.
Do you have an aftermarket CAI and if so what kind?
Have you ever had the cat replaced?

I have about 43K on the car ('04). It does have the original starter, although the battery was replaced recently. It seemed the starting issues and the performance problems started around the same time, but that could be coincidence.

The plugs were replaced but not recently...I don't believe the coils have ever been replaced. I have the Racing Beat CAI. I was sort of thinking that problems with ignition bits would have manifested themselves at higher RPMs as well, if not instead of, the low RPMs...but maybe I'm wrong about that.

jds

You likely have two different issues and a weak starter + weak ignition = tougher starts.
Your symptom is common with many possibilities and can be difficult to narrow down positively over the internet without actually troubleshooting it.
Easiest thing to recommend is the common occurrence we've experienced with this, and ignition is one of them.
And the new starter will also help since you'll be less likely to flood the engine and possibly fowl the plugs.

Cool...thanks for the info. Do you know if there is any specific test that a non-mechanic can do to clearly point to coils? I could take it to the dealer but I don't know that I really want another set of stock coils, given that there are some after-market solutions that are probably better, and possibly even cheaper. I like to take the opportunity to upgrade when it presents itself :-)

jds

I made this post awhile ago showing how to check the coils:
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...91&postcount=2

There are better coil solutions like the ones from BHR, but they aren't cheaper.
I have the BHR coils and they are a nice upgrade.
Can't buy coils cheaper than OEM.