Not starting before the 3rd-4th crank
 

It might take even 4 times to crank it before it start.

I have this problem since my 8 got flooded.

My car was starting up from the 1st or 2nd time maximum before i flooded it.

It has 25k miles on it, which is close to replace spark plugs, but i am not sure if the problem comes up from the battery or from the spark plugs.

What are the "need to be replaced sparks" symptoms ?

Take it to dealer, they might replace plugs , starter and battery for you for free under warranty . I only complained of difficult to start after cranking it twice and they took care of it. :)

i dont think that is the starter, because it gives power the the engine,,, for the battery i wouldnt say for sure that is not the problem, thought it turns the engine... i think is the plugs...

But do the plugs do this at the end of them life? or after a flood?

Plugs should probably have been replaced after the flood.

There is a service bulletin on the starting problems that calls for replacement of the battery and plugs, and the install of an upgraded starter motor. If you haven't had that done, take it to the dealer along with a copy of the service bulletin. This bulletin is intended for just your situation, and it won't cost you anything other than your time.

EDIT: Go here for the service bulletin:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...48-06-1691.pdf
EDIT 2: Oops, I didn't notice your location. The service bulletin may not apply to your car. :sad:

TG3:

In the US, the 8 hit the dealer floors in Spring/Summer 2003 as a 2004 model (I got mine in October 2003). Did they call it a 2003 model in Europe?

What did you do when the car flooded. How did you de-flood it or did you take it to the dealer?

Paul.

it was problem with the battery, and my mechanic brought me a new battery, took of the sparks, the electricity, and i crank it until the gas got out of the engine. we cleaned the plugs, we put them on, crank it 2-3 times.. and started again :)

I have the same problem since it has been reflashed last year. I changed the plugs and I have the same thing. Now I working on changing the starter...the problem with the starter is it turn the engine too slowly; on the new starter the label should indicate N3H1 A.

If you get a flood and do a lot of cranking trying to get it started, that is murder on most car batteries, which do not like sustained high current or deep discharge. It is not surprising that the battery could be significantly weaker after such an incident.

I recommend an AGM-type deep-cycle battery for RX-8 (or any modern car for that matter, as most cars noawadays draw current 24x7).

Just as a datapoint, my '05 shinka has *always* taken at least 3, but not more than six rotor sides to fire up. So anywhere from 3 to 6 "ruhs".

Never flooded. Took 3-6 from day one. Six is after heat soaking for a couple of hours after driving in hot (90*F and beyond) humid days.

*shrug*

I thought on the newer flashes fuel only gets injected after the third crank?

i didnt know that.
Mine, is 2003 version, i replaced the stock 75d23l battery with 80ah much bigger battery and it takes from 0.5 seconds almost crank to 2-3 maximum cranks.

Once it took more than it and i left it 8 secs cranking. It didnt work. On the second try it went on from 0 second as usually.