Hey, Ive had my RX-8 for about 4 years now and recently Ive been having problems with the car flooding after about 30minutes of driving. I know not to shut it off cold but im turning it off hot and after about 30minutes of driving. Its really embarrassing having such a nice car and then everywhere i go i have to De-flood the engine in a parking lot. I go to the car wash, flood. I go to valet, flood. I go to get gas, flood. I live in Los Angeles California and I use 5w-20 oil. I used 5w-20 royal purple before but it was just too expensive so i went back to using plain non synthetic. Another note. I usually leave for work around 430am at about 50-60F outside then i get off and its about 80-90F. I really want to just get good lasting performance out of my car. Forget racing because i plan on having this same car and engine for a good 5 more years. The Engine has 89k miles and its it a 2004 automatic. Any suggestions???

 

I don't think your MO caused this even though I run 0w40.

The flooding is probably related to coils, wires, plugs, and possibly worn apex seals.

If you've maintained by the book, it doesn't say that the coils ever need to be replaced, but a good set might only last 30k miles.

So first put in the ign parts (BHR upgrade is the best), and then, take to the dealer for a compression test since the engine has a 100k warranty.

No matter if the car starts better after the ign fix or not, you need to tell the dealer about all this flooding, AND IT STILL DOES SO THEY'LL TEST FOR FREE.

After you settle that you do or don't need a new engine, AND ONLY AFTER, start premixing 2 cycle oil at about 8 oz. per fillup of 12 gallons or so, and the seals will compress and wear better in the future.

I'm sure someone else will have input on the strategy of dealer compression test.

 

I don't think this has anything to do with grade of oil, either. In fact, I'm certain it doesn't.

 

Don't turn it off cold and it won't flood.

If you have to valet park it or leave it at a shop... Expo1 created a nice little placard to put on your dash that warns others to warm it up. It's a pdf or an image or something. See if you can find it and print it out.

Like 40w8 says, it's probably weak ignition. The coils do have a short life. If you decide to do the BHR ignition, get the compression tested before you install it, lest the dealer claim that you've voided the warranty with unauthorized parts.

Go to the RX-8 bulletin section at finishlineperformance.com and download the ones that relate to "Engine cranks, no start." Read through them and find the one(s) that are most in your favor. I believe there's one that says Mazda pays for the tow even if beyond the poertrain warranty...forget the exact circumstances. Make sure that when you describe the problem to the dealer you match the wording in the bulletins. That makes life easier all around.

Ken

 

0w-40 ARAL (BP) fully synthetic low-SAPS plus 1/1 oz per gallon premix (fully synth. 2 stroke), incl standard OMP..........

 

flooding has ZERO to do with your oil weight / brand.

Also, flooding is a thing of the past, I TRY TO FLOOD MY CAR and can't. When was the last time you changed your spark plugs? (those were revised in '05)
do you still have the original starter? - if so, look to upgrade. The one from 2005+ cranks much faster and that helps a lot.
how old is your car battery? - this was also upgraded to help prevent flooding.

 

I've always use regular 5w-30 because of the extreme hot weather were getting here in Vegas. Even in winter times, i still use regular 5w-30. Car still running fine ever since i bought the car in 07.

 

20w50, 15w50,10w40, 0w40, Eneous, Royal Purple, Mobil1, Redline ?

 

Didn't vote, refuse to take part in yet another oil thread and...........................this isn't even close to your issue with the car.

Change your coils, plugs, and possibly wires and you won't flood anymore.
Better take a look at the CAT at this point as well.
Searching will help you see how to check that.

 

+1..