Ran out of gas, added more :: Car won't start?
 

I ran out of gas in my 2004 Rx-8. I added almost 2 gallons to the tank and it will not start. It cranks but will not turn over. Did I break something? Any suggestions?

Thank you
Rick

Your fuel system will be full of air - the fuel has to be pulled through. I know most diesel engines need to have a mechanic bleed it through manually, but I don't know enough about the 8's fuel system to say if this is the case here.

you're suppose to turn the key to the ON position for several seconds without cranking then back to the OFF position, repeat this 6 or 7 times before trying to crank, the purpose is to allow the fuel pump to run and refill the lines/injectors

this is a standard procedure for fuel injection systems that have been run dry

otherwise there's the possibility that you ended up flooding it too

TeamRX8,

Thanks for the information. If the engine has been flooded, what is the procedure to start the car? I see several threads about flooded engines, but there are so many replies, its hard to find the preferred/correct procedure.

Thank you
Rick

There is a procedure for deflooding in your RX-8 Manual.

put the pedal to the floor and let it turn over for a lil bit than try to start normally (for flooded engine)

This advice helped me today (06/06/2019)
 

I will add that after the 6-7 times of cycling from ON to OFF, I tried cranking it about 4 times before it would turn over.

13 years too late LOL.

It's not hard to keep the car at a reasonable fuel level. Having less than 1/4 tank of gas can already cause you some trouble if you do high G left turns.

You also risk burning out the fuel pump, and S1 fuel pumps are already very fragile.