I have a 2004 RX-8 that has a cold air intake and aftermarket exhaust. It has 96000 miles on it. I checked the oil on it the other day and found that it had this tan, thick grease on the dipstick. I took it to Jiffy Lube ( i know that was a mistake. that was the last time i will take it there) and they said that it could be moisture in the engine because it has been cold but i have a hard time believing that moisture can turn a tan color. My check engine light has been coming on when i start it lately and then turning back off after a while of driving it. When i start it it idles rough for a minute until it warms up and the check engine light blinks until the rpm stabilize and then stays on. I was just wondering if anybody has had this grease in their engine or if they know about what it is. If so would it be the reason my engine has trouble on cold start ups.

 

Search for foam on dipstick.

 

If you read the whole post I don't think that's his problem...


Flashing CEL means the engine is misfiring. Try and get the codes pulled when the CEL stays on and find out what's going on.
When's the last time you replaced plugs/coils/wires?

 

I haven't replaced them. I just bought the car in October so I'm still in the process of replacing older parts for newer, better ones.

 

Well do you know the last time they were replaced by the previous owner?

 

Condensation from short trips.

....and replace those plugs soon.

 

Not sure. Doesn't say anything about it in the car FAX report so I assume that it wasn't done. Ill make sure to replace those soon

 

I would suggest upgrading to a Black Halo Racing ignition system. Search about it on the forums and you'll see why it's worth the money.

 

Ill definitely look into that. Thanks for your help

 

the foam on the dipstick is just that. see the sticky.

get the codes read before you start swapping parts