PLZ read... wont start
11-16-2010, 02:22 AM
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PLZ read... will not start (video added)
I know this has been covered many times... But my 04 RX8 will not start... shocker right!!!
It is an automatic with 114000 miles on ORIGINAL motor. I drove it home with no problems, it was running great. I parked it in my garage and went to drive it three days later and would not start again. I have been at this for six weeks, when I have a few hours to play with it at a time.
The motor turns over normally and at speed but will not fire. Now, I know I have spark because I take out a spark plug and crank it and I can see it sparking. After cranking with the spark plug out for a second or two the chamber will ignite and come out the exposed spark plug hole. So this leads me to believe I am getting fuel. I also recently realized that it is flooding, So I have taken the new plugs out cleaned them and let the motor sit for a couple hours then replaced the plugs. No change. At one point I disconnected my catalytic converter from the manifold and this did not change anything. I have put a new fuel pump (because of a separate issue entirely), plugs, wires, coils, battery. I have plugged up a code scanner (like the one you can barrow from Auto-zone) and it came back with zero errors.
BEFORE EVERYONE JUMPS ON THE "YOU NEED A NEW MOTOR" train. I spoke with the Mazda mechanic and he said to crank the engine 3 times for 10 seconds at a time. Then check your Radiator cap. If there is pressure built up in the cooling system you have a bad engine. I completed this check, and had zero pressure escape from the cap.
At this point I am pretty sure it has to do with it flooding out. What would cause it to flood? Or if anyone has any other ideas, thoughts or suggestions I am more than open to them, because I am just plain out.
Link for video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjrMccT56DY
Video of my dash lights they seem weird, especially after seeing other videos. If anybody knows anything about reading dash lights.
Thank you to whoever reads this and those who take time to respond.
It is an automatic with 114000 miles on ORIGINAL motor. I drove it home with no problems, it was running great. I parked it in my garage and went to drive it three days later and would not start again. I have been at this for six weeks, when I have a few hours to play with it at a time.
The motor turns over normally and at speed but will not fire. Now, I know I have spark because I take out a spark plug and crank it and I can see it sparking. After cranking with the spark plug out for a second or two the chamber will ignite and come out the exposed spark plug hole. So this leads me to believe I am getting fuel. I also recently realized that it is flooding, So I have taken the new plugs out cleaned them and let the motor sit for a couple hours then replaced the plugs. No change. At one point I disconnected my catalytic converter from the manifold and this did not change anything. I have put a new fuel pump (because of a separate issue entirely), plugs, wires, coils, battery. I have plugged up a code scanner (like the one you can barrow from Auto-zone) and it came back with zero errors.
BEFORE EVERYONE JUMPS ON THE "YOU NEED A NEW MOTOR" train. I spoke with the Mazda mechanic and he said to crank the engine 3 times for 10 seconds at a time. Then check your Radiator cap. If there is pressure built up in the cooling system you have a bad engine. I completed this check, and had zero pressure escape from the cap.
At this point I am pretty sure it has to do with it flooding out. What would cause it to flood? Or if anyone has any other ideas, thoughts or suggestions I am more than open to them, because I am just plain out.
Link for video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjrMccT56DY
Video of my dash lights they seem weird, especially after seeing other videos. If anybody knows anything about reading dash lights.
Thank you to whoever reads this and those who take time to respond.
Last edited by medic4life; 11-19-2010 at 05:25 PM. Reason: video added
11-19-2010, 05:36 PM
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You are flooding because your starter is dying.
From my new owner's thread: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
In your case, I can tell immediately from the video that you are not cranking as fast as you should be. You CAN start an engine that low, however you are flooding out before you get ignition.
So the deflood procedure probably won't work very well, since you will probably just flood again.
Being in AZ, there are quite a few members down there that could potentially assist you, including BHR in Phoenix that you can get the upgraded starter from quickly if needed (assuming he has it in stock).
Alternatively, find another member willing to swap their OK starter into your 8 to see the change and verify.
Regardless of anything else at this point, your crank speed is low, which is from either starter or battery, and you already said it's has a new battery.
From my new owner's thread: https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/
Flooding is only a concern if you have a weak ignition system. The problem is, your ignition system usually fails very slowly, so it is a gradual decline. The alert and responsible owner will detect the drop in mileage, the drop in power, the rougher idle, the occasional misfire, and replace their coils, plugs, and wires before it gets bad enough where there is a chance at flooding.
Every single flood I have seen reported for quite a while ended up coming down to one of these failing: Battery, Starter, Coil(s), Plug Wire(s), Plug(s). But by then, they also generally have a fried cat that needs to get replaced as well, and possibly an O2 sensor or two. Stay on top of the maintenance (long term included!) and you will wonder what all the fuss was about. Coils ($160 for all 4, 20 minute swap), plugs ($80 for all 4, 10 minute swap), and wires ($60, 2 minute swap), should be replaced every 30,000 miles, possibly sooner if you detect something starting to fail, since people have had them fail as early as 8,000 miles or 15,000 miles, though that's rare.
You don't want to shut off while it's cold simply because when the engine is cold, the ECU dumps more fuel into engine to help it warm up, and it leans back once the engine is warm. This extra fuel can make it harder to start an ignition, which a healthy ignition system is perfectly capable of overcoming. Weaken the ignition with failing plugs, coils, wires, alternator, starter, or battery, and you have a flood on your hands, and all the associated problems from that.
Every single flood I have seen reported for quite a while ended up coming down to one of these failing: Battery, Starter, Coil(s), Plug Wire(s), Plug(s). But by then, they also generally have a fried cat that needs to get replaced as well, and possibly an O2 sensor or two. Stay on top of the maintenance (long term included!) and you will wonder what all the fuss was about. Coils ($160 for all 4, 20 minute swap), plugs ($80 for all 4, 10 minute swap), and wires ($60, 2 minute swap), should be replaced every 30,000 miles, possibly sooner if you detect something starting to fail, since people have had them fail as early as 8,000 miles or 15,000 miles, though that's rare.
You don't want to shut off while it's cold simply because when the engine is cold, the ECU dumps more fuel into engine to help it warm up, and it leans back once the engine is warm. This extra fuel can make it harder to start an ignition, which a healthy ignition system is perfectly capable of overcoming. Weaken the ignition with failing plugs, coils, wires, alternator, starter, or battery, and you have a flood on your hands, and all the associated problems from that.
In your case, I can tell immediately from the video that you are not cranking as fast as you should be. You CAN start an engine that low, however you are flooding out before you get ignition.
So the deflood procedure probably won't work very well, since you will probably just flood again.
Being in AZ, there are quite a few members down there that could potentially assist you, including BHR in Phoenix that you can get the upgraded starter from quickly if needed (assuming he has it in stock).
Alternatively, find another member willing to swap their OK starter into your 8 to see the change and verify.
Regardless of anything else at this point, your crank speed is low, which is from either starter or battery, and you already said it's has a new battery.
11-20-2010, 04:07 PM
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