Upgraded Starter and Still Having Problems?!
 

I purchased an upgraded start awhile ago for my 2004 RX-8 and it never solved my issues with warm starts. I haven't been on here in awhile to see if I could get any answers regarding my problem because I have just put up with it.

However now I am getting to the point where I cannot stand it any longer. Granted, the starter that I purchased did not come with papers saying it was a true Mazda starter (had the correct N3Z_ tag on it and everything however), but regardless it was a brand new starter. I even took it to a Mazda dealership to have it installed and they never said anything about it.

What else could be causing my warm start issues? I am getting very frustrated with it at this point and am seriously considering getting rid of the car because of the troubles that I have had with it.

Any answers/input would be great. Thanks!

loss of compression would be my guess.
What's your mileage like?

I have just above 44,000 miles on the engine. You think I should take it to get a compression test done asap?

when was the last time you changed plugs/ coils?

I would said within the last 8 - 10 k miles. I had them done a few months after I got the car

warm start issues?... compression.

did you check the battery? did you upgrade the battery? there was a recall for an updated battery too.

I was going to suggest the same thing. I came across that problem last year.

I purchased a new battery and had that installed along with the upgraded starter :/

Find a good dealer you can trust and have it tested. It's only about 100-200 bucks if it passes.

You mean it costs around $200 for a compression test?

Being smart is overrated...
Let's all keep throwing new parts on a car without doing a diagnosis first!

That's exactly why I am asking on here. I wanted to see if anyone else had the same problems that I am having and trying to see what they eventually ended up doing so I don't have to spend hundreds of dollars if I can fix it with something simple.

Sounds like a compression/diagnostic test is the way to go.

the answer is here
And you have already spent hundreds of useless dollars anyway with the starter.

Every dealer seems to have a different price. The first one I called wanted $230 just for a compression test. The second dealer I called quoted $140. I took the second one, after it was all said and done I got a compression test and diagnosis done. I walked out spending only $147 total.
Call around, get quoted, make a decision and go for it. That's what I did and now I sleep better at night knowing compression is not a problem for me.

-Shawn

I've been searching and really haven't gotten a direct answer so that's why this thread was made.

Would I be safe going to a local car shop like PepBoys or something? Cause there is only 1 Mazda dealer close to me :sad:

Pep boys will not be able to perform a PROPER compression test on a RX-8. They might be able to do one on a piston engine but its not the same.

The drive to the next closest dealer might be worth the drive. The dealer that quoted me $230 were only 5 miles away, but the tech was also rude. I drove over 120 miles round trip to the second dealer and still saved over $70 after fuel, and they were the nicest people I ever delt with.

Guess where I now drive to, to get an "on record" oil change now. The service I get from them is well worth the 120 miles to me.

-Shawn

fuel pump coudl be an issue as well.

and by warm start issue- what do you mean exactly?

When I start it for the first time, say in the morning, it will start fine, just take a few seconds for it to crank over that's all.

However, once my car comes to normal running temperature and I shut the car off, I need to wait AT LEAST 30 minutes before I even have a chance for it to turn over and actually start for me.

I also still have some bad idle issues, especially after I drive it hard, or just even if I redline it once or twice.

How many miles? Do you have the newer style starter motor? Have you had a compression test done? How many miles on plugs,coils? Have you done a decarbon cleaning? Have you cleaned your MAF sensor?

There are just under 45,000 miles on the engine.
I did just purchase the newer style starter motor and had it installed.
I have not had a compression test done yet.
The plugs and coils should have around 8 - 10,000 miles on them.
I had a decarb cleaning 2 oil changes ago, so around 6,000 miles.
I cleaned my MAF sensor awhile ago, say, 8 - 10,000 miles also.

fuel pump is the next thing that needs checked

I don't want to sound dumb, but could you explain how that could be causing problems? Would it just be that the engine is not getting the right amounts of fuel b/c of the fuel pump?

hey did your rx8 get fixed yet????i hvaing the same problem as your can u give me some input buddy? lol