BLUF: My engine just cut off while driving, when trying to start, it acts like it is flooded (I.E.: Starter works, Battery works, tries to turn over, but won't stay cranked.)

Long wind: I just got home from what could have been the worst day of my life, all culminating in the fact that my engine just cut off while approaching a stop light. After pulling over, turning off the car for about 2 mins, then trying to start, it began to act like it was flooded.

So I do what we all do, reference the site (or another) to see how to quickly deflood the engine. While I wasn't super thorough (it was raining, and I had to get home to send an email on deadline), I still think that there may be a different issue.

Background: I've been having all sorts of weird problems with Roxy since this past November.

First, the driver's side smart key button stopped responding. Then, my car started to unlock, unlock, lock, unlock, unlock, lock as I approached it. I assumed it was a sensor or relay issue and have ignored it until I have time to actually sit and fix it.

Next, I'm pretty sure my catalytic converter is in shambles, as I get a wonderful rattling sound from my exhaust under high load.

Lastly, my engine light came on a few days ago and I started noticing low power issues, which I chocked up to a possible misfire (don't have the error code). I planned on taking the car in tomorrow, but as fate would have it...this happened.

Any suggestions/comments? As it stands right now, Roxy is sitting in a College Town neighborhood, waiting for me to either tow her, or drive her home.

 

Funny...

No where in your post do you say how many miles are on your car, but you must know how important that little piece of information would be.

You also didn't indicate when was the last time you replaced the spark plugs, wires or ignition coils, but you must know how important those pieces are to the health and longevity of an RX-8 engine, and its catalytic convertor.

BC.

 

56K miles

To my knowledge, never have any of them been replaced (second owner).

 

Omg! This is exactly what jus happened to me two weeks ago, car turned off as I was driving, now acted like its flooded but its actually a misfire on 1st cylinder as I checked afterwards. So I ended up changing all four spart plugs couple days later and then when I tried turning on my car again, at first it was making strange sounds like its flooded or maybe low compression to all of sudden having clicking noise? So now I don't know what to do either and I'm tired of spending too much money on keeping up with the car maintenance I need help too

 

Sitting in my car now. I've tried the deflooding procedure a few times. I'm about to change my spark plugs on the side of the road, now to see if that helps. Please keep the help coming. Thanks.

 

If it is a manual have you tried push starting it? That is the easiest de-flooding procedure out there.

 

How many miles were on the car when you bought it, since you're the second owner?
At 56k miles, the plugs, honestly, should have been changed at the 20k and 40k mile marks, and once again, coming up soon at the 60k mile mark.

Also, spark plug wires really should be changed every year or two.

Coils, for this car, might need replacement somewhere between the 20 and 50k mile mark, just depending on how lucky or unlucky you are.

So, all in all, since you bought the car used, and you have nearly 60k miles on it, you should just replace everything, and hope you didn't kill the motor running the ignition system past the forum recommended replacement points.

BC.

 

take plugs out & clean them. (leave wires hanging without plugs attached)
Pull out Fuel fuse.

turn the car over for about 2 minutes taking breaks after 8 seconds of cranking.

connect a hose to service ports. put hose inside windshield washer fluid. Crank 2-3 times to pull in about 4 onces of windshield washer fluid.

crank that through the engine for about a minute.

install the plugs. Make sure their in there tight (threads maxed out)
connect wires properly and snug.

Try starting while getting a boost to maintain battery strength.

good luck i dread your situation.

 

Tried it, to no avail. This is what's having me believe that it's the spark plugs/wires. I'm heading to buy them now.

I bought it with 11K, so I know they haven't been changed. I admit a major lack of discipline in taking care of Roxy; however, Mazda never recommended the new spark plugs to me, and they change my oil every 5-7K.

 

before u toss them back in make sure u get rid of the fuel in the engine.

 

Mazda says it's getting no fuel pressure...they're saying fuel pump.

 

Well, I would go with what they say, if an engine cant get fuel then it will not fire..

The 09's did have a 'upgraded' pump, there is a possibility that your Fuel Pump Filter 'sock' attached to the Fuel Pump is covered in crap, either from contaminated Fuel or possibly a reaction to additives put into tank.

You are the second owner..

Anyway, only way to check this is to remove Fuel Pump (same procedure for all RX-8's).

The 09 does have a replacement 'sock' - Filter...Mazda # LFB6-13-ZE1
Same as used in NC Miata's.

@ 56,000 miles???,

 

Reading this (among others) I can tell that the 2009+ pump is better, but it also mentions that the sock filter isn't usually the cause and that (at least in earlier models) the pump can fail at around 60K. I plan on ordering a new pump altogether and a new sock (just in case the pump is, in fact, the issue).

If this is the case, should I just go ahead with a Walbro 255lph pump? It shouldn't require a CPU reflash, it is a higher rated pump, it's cheaper, and most importantly it's better quality (at least in other applications, I had one in my Eclipse-Evo Hybrid, which I transferred over to my Evo).

Maybe this is a sign that I need to start taking better care of Roxy, and start spoiling her with upgrades like I did my Evo.

Thoughts?

 

can you hear the pump prime when you turn on the ignition?

 

Unfortunately, this all happened within two days of me leaving for San Antonio. I'm on my flight back, now, so I'll have a better idea of what to do when I get home. I had Mazda tow my car back to my house (roommate received it), so I'll update this when I get a chance to look at it closer.
If the Fuel Pump is busted, I'm gonna go ahead with a Walbro install, since it is the best option. If the pump isn't busted, I'll have to check for filter issues, etc.

 

Ok, update...
The fuel pump does prime when I turn the key, which leads me to believe that Ash8's suggestion is best. I'm going to take out the sock and clean it, first...seeing if that helps. If not, I'm ordering a Walbro.

Anyone got any suggestions on anything else it could be?

 

Did you also end up buying new coils?

 

+1 on the plugs question. I would say I could loan you a pump to try out but you have an 09'. But when you get back in town let me know and I will see if we can take a look at it.

 

Better get new plugs, coils, and wires or this all may be for naught.
I'd even check the CAT out as well. I know this isn't the starting issue, but this car has been neglected for about 56k miles.

 

will the 09 pump fit on the 04?

 

Yes it will, please search elsewhere for that topic though

Thank you,

Your friendly neighborhood rx8club buddy.

 

I've never had an issue with even my S1 OE pump, but I do change it out about every 3 - 4 years as a preventive maintenance item.

Recommend that you stay with the OE pump designed for your model year.

Walbro = do not want

 

FYI: Walbro GSS342 doesn't fit the '09 assembly (N3R1-1335Z). The part number for the ONLY pump that fits is MAZ N3R1-13350. Found this out the hard way.

 

Why would you install a walbro pump in your 09'?

 

For a few reasons, the number one of which being that it's a higher rated pump for cheaper than a new '09+ pump ($90 vs. $275).

255LPH > ~200LPH = Higher rated

Secondly, no one else has tried it on a Series 2, so I decided to give it a shot. I know it's the fuel pump, everything else was tested at Mazda. No fuel pressure, no start. They tested the fuel pressure at the pump's fuel line.