Hello all! I am going to describe my issue and see if anyone can give me a bit of advice and save me some money on towing.

I have a 2004 RX-8, about 41,000 miles on it, and it's been running great for ages now. A week ago this past Tuesday I was caught in some relatively high water on my drive home. I was able to get through without any stalling or other engine issues, but the engine splash shield on the underside of the car was damaged (crushed by the force of the water, presumably). I was able to drive the 20 miles home without any notable problem aside from the dragging edges of the splash shield. I made an appointment with my local dealer to have the part replaced, and the car has been sitting idle for most of the 8 days since.

On Saturday I had hoped to take the car out, so I cranked it up, pulled it into the garage, and attempted to remove the dragging splash shield manually. When it became clear that I was not going to be able to do so without removing the two front tires, I started the car, backed it back out of the garage, and shut it off. Now, I know this sort of short trip is a bit of a no-no, but it has never been a problem for me before and we are in anything but a cold environment - it was probably over 90 degrees in that garage even at 8 AM.

This evening - the Wednesday following - I went out to start the car so I could pull it out onto a flat surface and remove the tires so that I could go ahead and take off the splash guard. I have an appointment at the dealer in the morning so I just wanted to keep it from dragging for the 16 miles I need to drive. When I crank the engine, though, the engine doesn't seem to be turning over at all. It makes a loud wheezing sound, but without any accompanying... well, "chugs." I don't feel any real movement or feedback in the gear shift or anywhere else. I followed the de-choke procedure and also attempted to jump start the car, for good measure, but the sound of the crank and the lack of engine turnover is unaffected.

I will call the dealer in the morning, but honestly, I'd rather save myself a $100 tow and start it myself. If it sounds like the engine is flooded (and having never experienced this I don't know what that sounds like), I will try the de-choke procedure a few more times, but if that's not it, I'd just as well save the battery and my time and just invest in the tow.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

try to jumb the car. mine too is a 04 41k miles. This thing take alot to get the engine to start. You did said it've been sitting for about 8 days. The batt. might gone down and the last two time you start the car and didn't run it. It might have killed the batt.
This may not help but hey it's might save you $100

 

Well, I called the dealership this morning and they were very considerate. They had me call Mazda Roadside Assistance for a free tow and they say they will be able to get to it this morning. I have been very happy with the service there (Russell and Smith Mazda in Houston) so I will report back with their findings if there is anything worth noting.

Thanks for the feedback, totaleclipse.

 

No definitive answer yet, but as of this afternoon the dealership says the engine has no compression and there's about a 99% chance it needs to be replaced under warranty. So I would say that this problem falls in the "other starting problems" category. I should know more after the weekend.

 

so how did the car turn out? new engine? if it's make sure you get a new one and not a so call rebuild engine. Good luck at least it still under warranty.

 

Indeed, new engine. It was not covered under warranty because of the underbody splash shield damage, but lucky for me that moved it into the range of an insurable event and my comprehensive insurance covered it.

 

you are very lucky or els it would set you back about 4000. Oh well at lease you got a new engine. take care