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Won't Idle or start warm

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Old 12-08-2010, 05:51 PM
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Won't Idle or start warm

Symptoms

Won't idle after being warm.
Won't start after being warm.
Slight miss/bump on highway occasionally. Less throttle = more noticeable.
Just started on my way to work today. H appended again on way home. Car died at gas station at idle and again in neural pulling into driveway.

Its just started not idling today, but it has been hard to start when warm for a while now. Seems like its getting progressively worse.

2004 rx8 6spd 86k miles
Coils plugs and wires all have 26k on them.
New bhr fuel pump within last 3000 miles.
New battery within last 10000 miles.
I was 3/4 empty on gas today and thought maybe bad gas. Filled it up, no better.
I use 4oz of idemtiisu every fillup.

Where should I start troubleshooting.
Should I reset the ESC?

Thanks for the help guys.
Logan.
Old 12-08-2010, 05:55 PM
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sounds like low compression.
Old 12-08-2010, 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
sounds like low compression.
I was afraid someone would suggest that
Old 12-08-2010, 06:39 PM
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sorry Sheehan, I just call 'em how I see them.

You pretty much ruled out the small things such as coils / wires / plugs
I doubt it's a fuel issue with a new pump in there

Only other thing I can think of (and it's a long shot based on your symptoms) is a clogged catalytic converter. Drop the cat, shake it around and tell us if you hear stuff bouncing around. If not, I would start thinking about having a compression test done.

Good news is you should still be under the engine warranty of 8 years / 100,000 miles so if it IS the engine, you get a free Reman!
Old 12-09-2010, 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
sorry Sheehan, I just call 'em how I see them.

You pretty much ruled out the small things such as coils / wires / plugs
I doubt it's a fuel issue with a new pump in there

Only other thing I can think of (and it's a long shot based on your symptoms) is a clogged catalytic converter. Drop the cat, shake it around and tell us if you hear stuff bouncing around. If not, I would start thinking about having a compression test done.

Good news is you should still be under the engine warranty of 8 years / 100,000 miles so if it IS the engine, you get a free Reman!
UPDATE
Was doing it worse this morning, it seemed too idle ok until i took off after letting it warm up. It was missing bad and I knew if i let it idle in neutral it would die. I pulled into my girlfriends house to steal her car to make it to work and sure it enough it died the second i let it idle.

Anything I could possibly try before getting a compression test done? It's a two hour drive to the nearest mazda dealer and I don't feel comfortable driving the car that far in this shape so I would probably have to tow it on my uncles race car trailer or something haha.

Also I have an RP Supercat, not the stock cat, and I'm not getting any CEL codes.
Old 12-09-2010, 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Sheehan
UPDATE
Was doing it worse this morning, it seemed too idle ok until i took off after letting it warm up. It was missing bad and I knew if i let it idle in neutral it would die. I pulled into my girlfriends house to steal her car to make it to work and sure it enough it died the second i let it idle.

Anything I could possibly try before getting a compression test done? It's a two hour drive to the nearest mazda dealer and I don't feel comfortable driving the car that far in this shape so I would probably have to tow it on my uncles race car trailer or something haha.

Also I have an RP Supercat, not the stock cat, and I'm not getting any CEL codes.
I would agree with Jedi's opinion, your noting classic symptoms of low compression. However, if your so inclined you could try swapping out coils and then plugs with known good components and see if there is any improvement. With 26K on them they are getting close to what most people feel is the average lifespan of 30K.
Old 12-09-2010, 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by VOODOO8
I would agree with Jedi's opinion, your noting classic symptoms of low compression. However, if your so inclined you could try swapping out coils and then plugs with known good components and see if there is any improvement. With 26K on them they are getting close to what most people feel is the average lifespan of 30K.
I think this might be a worth while idea. If new plugs or coils fixed things that would be great. If they didn't and it ended up being compression problems and warranted a new engine, It would probably be a good idea to have fresh plugs and coils and wires for a new engine anyway I would assume.
Old 12-10-2010, 09:42 AM
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Going to purchase Coils Wires & Plugs, Race Roots is $310 shipped. Anyone think I could beat this somewhere else? I've looked around a bit. Thanks
Old 12-10-2010, 12:15 PM
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I have the same problem. Cold the car starts perfect but when the engine is warm he wont start. If I wait 15 min. the car starts perfect, no problems. The battery, ignition coils, wires and spark plugs are new! On the RX-8 club Belgium/Netherlands they say that the problem can come from the crankshaft sensor? I can't believe that because the problem has something to do with heat. Does somebody had that problem and know what I can do with it?

Tanks,
Pascal from Belgium.
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