flyguybill

I have a 2004 RX8. 2 weeks ago I started it and moved it to the other side of my driveway then turned it off and left for a couple of days. I came back 2 days later and my RX8 will not start. It makes a different sound with the starter engaged and when the key is turned off you hear something "wind down" like when the bendix won't engage. The battery is fully charged and I had no idea about any of the exhaust recalls. I have researched the forum and tried holding the pedal down while starting for 20 seconds, then tried again after letting it sit for 20 seconds, still won't start. I have yet to try the push start in 2nd. gear. The only thing that worries me is the different sound the engine makes while turning over, it is kind of slower sounding. Thanks in advance for any advice.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

might be flooded. call mazda roadside assistance and have it towed. if you haven't gotten any of the TSBs done you're probably in store for a new battery, plugs, and starter.

encorez

" new battery, plugs, and starter " yes, it is a good free fix.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ins_index.html

Winfree

Make sure you are in park/neutral
Make sure the brake is on
Look under the car and make sure nothing has grown up into or is touching moving parts
if she still won't start get to dealer immediately!
DO NOT TRY TO PUSH START - THIS IS NOT A PISTON CAR!!!!!

You probably did not let her run long enough before you parked her and she has too much oil in there for the gas to ignite and stay lit. Dealer will have to drain it!

8s really hate to be used for just a few moments and then turned off and ignored, especially in cold weather..

encorez

The dealer told me a little trick, just before you turn off the engine, rev it up then turn off.

Helps with flooding.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

let's clarify - rev b/w 3K and 3.5k for 10 seconds and then turn off. revving higher and you negate your work.

dillsrotary

i understand if the warranty is present then taking it to the dealer is the best choice, but push starting a rotary in 2nd gear has worked for alot of folks. even more so with a rotary due to its chances of flooding compared to a top spark piston engine.

Winfree

Check with Rotory God and Otherside they may have some tricks for deflood the engine when you cant get to a dealer....

flyguybill

Thanks for the advice!! Just got it started by pushing it in 2nd. gear! Started in about 20 seconds with a LOT of smoke!! Off to the dealer for the recalls!! Thanks again!!

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

when you go to ask about the recalls make sure you say TSB (technical service bulletin) not recall. there is a recall for the emissions and i don't want you to get hosed and have them do that but not the TSB related to your issue and not get the goodies.

Aseras

if it had a lot of smoke it was flooded.

next time wait a minute or two and hold gas pedal to the floor and crank it for a minute, let it sit for a few seconds and start it. if it starts then give it gas and don;t let it stall until it starts running normally. if it doesn't start after 2-3 times of trying that, that's when you push start it or get it towed or you pull the plugs and clean them and shoot some oil into the rotors.

msenzo

Hmnnn....was thinking the same, Is it possible that this is not a problem unique to the rotary? After leaving the Golf 4 (1.6 petrol) for about a week in the garage I used to have this problem. Car won't start, when it does, it belches lots of smoke. Ran the battery flat once and melted a few speaker cables trying to jump it. Funny thing is it only happens when the car is left inside the garage, when it is outside it never happens, even when we leave it for longer. Happened twice on the Golf, and once on the Peugeot (2L diesel). Is it related to moisture?, temperature? (the garage didn't have a ceiling and could get quite toasty on summerdays. But please fill us in when you return from the dealer

Romeo

Yeah, I had this problem a lot when I 1st put my turbo in. Turbo = more oil. I think it was for that same reason, for using the car just to move it then turning it off thinking (eh, i just moved it, i dont need to let it cool down). Its always good to let your car cool for a bit before turning it off/on. Rev before tuning it off is also a plus.

Mine starts fine now, but it cranks about 3 or 4 times before it starts (eh, eh, eh, eh, vroooom). Which i dont think is a good thing. Im going to order new FD plugs soon.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

none of this info is new. there are plenty of threads deadicated to the flooded engine. there haven't been quite as many lately b/c most have had the TSB done and later years didn't have the problem as much. i think this thread is just about done and anyone who wants more info should probably do a quick search (although it won't be quick b/c there are tons of threads to read through on this).

Aseras

rotaries "flood" because the apex seals at low rpm don't seal very well. when you get too much gas in there it dissolves the oil that makes the "seal" and you loose compression. then you just get more and more gas in there until you run the battery dead or foul the plugs.

you have to shut off the gas, by holding the gas pedal to the floor, and then crank it a bit to pump out as much gas as you can. then let it sit so what's left can evaporate and then try to start it again.