Notices
Series I Tech Garage The place to discuss anything technical about the RX-8 that doesn't fit into any of the categories below.

RPM's Gauge help..

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 11:10 AM
  #1  
SilverRenesis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Florida
RPM's Gauge help..

I have a question. Lately when im on the road and i stop at a light, sometimes i notice the RPM hand go down and up a bit.. what could this be?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #2  
Old Rotor's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by SilverRenesis
I have a question. Lately when im on the road and i stop at a light, sometimes i notice the RPM hand go down and up a bit.. what could this be?
If you go to the rear of the car(at idle) do you hear a slight miss from your exhaust?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 12:51 PM
  #3  
Jedi54's Avatar
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 22,588
Likes: 3,409
From: The Dark Side
a/c kicking on and off?
could be a bad neutral switch
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 01:36 PM
  #4  
SilverRenesis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Jedi54
a/c kicking on and off?
could be a bad neutral switch
No, I dont ever use my ac...
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 02:00 PM
  #5  
SilverRenesis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Im starting to wonder if the Spark plugs could be the cause...
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 02:35 PM
  #6  
nycgps's Avatar
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 36
From: Planet Earth
when was the last time u changed ur coils and sparks then ?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 02:39 PM
  #7  
SilverRenesis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by nycgps
when was the last time u changed ur coils and sparks then ?
I havent changed any internal engine parts since I bought the car, which I bought with 47k on it, now Is about to go into 50k,
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 03:25 PM
  #8  
nycgps's Avatar
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 36
From: Planet Earth
Hmm, do u know if the previous owner changed it at all ?

Its important because, if the previous owner has NEVER changed them, you should change it out ASAP.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 04:59 PM
  #9  
ryanalexander4's Avatar
- Ryan Alexander -
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Tachometer - an instrument that measures the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analog dial, but digital displays are increasingly common. The term comes from Greek Ταχος, tachos, "speed", and metron, "to measure".
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 05:11 PM
  #10  
Hoss's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by nycgps
Hmm, do u know if the previous owner changed it at all ?

Its important because, if the previous owner has NEVER changed them, you should change it out ASAP.
Sorry to threadjack here, but a sort of related question...

Can you do any damage to a rotary motor by not changing the plugs every 10k miles? I know this is the suggested protocol, but if you wait until you start to see the signs of deteriorating plugs will it cause any harm? Other than possibly flooding the motor?

Also, is the spark plug life expectancy shorter on the rotary motors due to the oil consumption?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 05:33 PM
  #11  
alz0rz's Avatar
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,002
Likes: 3
From: NYC
/\ 10k might be a tad overkill.. 25k or so you will need to check them over though.
if the ignition system is not up to snuff you're not combusting completely and that will lead to carbon buildup.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 05:34 PM
  #12  
Old Rotor's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Hoss
Sorry to threadjack here, but a sort of related question...

Can you do any damage to a rotary motor by not changing the plugs every 10k miles? I know this is the suggested protocol, but if you wait until you start to see the signs of deteriorating plugs will it cause any harm? Other than possibly flooding the motor?

Also, is the spark plug life expectancy shorter on the rotary motors due to the oil consumption?
You can under normal conditions (NA engine) get 30-35K miles out of the OEM-NGK plugs. We have had some cars here go over 50K but you will feel some hesitation when they get worn. If they are the cause of the engine miss firing then you have gone as far as you want to go! Rotary engines fire more often thats why they ware out sooner.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 05:43 PM
  #13  
Hoss's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Thanks for the explanations

I have been wondering because I am having some long starts and according to the local stealership they have already performed teh TSB relating to this. I have been considering changing the plugs, but the car seems to be running perfectly fine ATM
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 05:45 PM
  #14  
alz0rz's Avatar
hakuna matata!
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,002
Likes: 3
From: NYC
Long starts can also be attributed to the ignition coils.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 06:48 PM
  #15  
Hoss's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
I had considered that as well, was hoping that those had been replaced with the TSB, but I am doubtful. Are the coils difficult/expensive? to change?
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:31 PM
  #16  
Old Rotor's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by Hoss
I had considered that as well, was hoping that those had been replaced with the TSB, but I am doubtful. Are the coils difficult/expensive? to change?
The coils are $25-30(each and there are four of them) and easy to change, a good time to do the spark plug wires too( I got the OEM ones for less then sixty dollars.......
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2009 | 05:55 AM
  #17  
DOMINION's Avatar
I don't buy Kool-Aid
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,823
Likes: 2
From: Vegas Baby!
Originally Posted by SilverRenesis
I havent changed any internal engine parts since I bought the car, which I bought with 47k on it, now Is about to go into 50k,
I had the samething. Time for a tune up man. Get new coils spark plugs and spark plug wires. Save your self the money and change them your self. I changed them all in about one hour. Not bad.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2009 | 11:50 AM
  #18  
docgatorx8er's Avatar
TeethNThings.com
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 0
From: Mere seconds behind the leader...Doh!
It is very easy to change the plugs and the coils BUT be sure you have someone around with you who knows what they're doing the first time. If you mess up, it's not pretty. Gotta watch the leading trailing thing VERY carefully. But it's not complicated.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cliffkemp
Series I Trouble Shooting
8
Dec 24, 2024 10:48 AM
Shankapotamus3
Series I Trouble Shooting
28
Mar 14, 2021 03:53 PM
mdl0209
Series I Trouble Shooting
14
May 23, 2019 05:46 PM
D13
Series I Trouble Shooting
0
Oct 1, 2015 07:55 AM
tommy26Germany
Series I Trouble Shooting
11
Sep 29, 2015 10:33 AM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:53 AM.