Hi. I seem to have some problems with my 2004 8 manual transmission when I'm starting the car. It seems to have a rough rumble out the right-side exhaust after turning the engine for a few seconds, and eventually starts up. I switched the plugs, coils about a year and half ago and have about only 43k miles on it.

Also, when I'm about to move the car, and step on the pedal a bit, the rumbling is rough and seems to come from the right exhaust pipe as well.

The car drives fine when it's up to speed, but the rough rumbling and spurts that come out the exhaust when first starting is worrying me.

Is this related to the spark plugs? or does anyone else know. Sorry if this was asked before on the forums. Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

 

How many miles on your ignition? Plugs and coils don't really go bad with time only, but wires can.

However, RX-8s, like every other car out there, runs rich when it's first started, more fuel to help get the car up to temp quicker. This can make the exhaust sound rumbly and lumpy after first starting. This is normal. The degree to which it rumbles could suggest other things, like even more unburnt fuel than usual due to not properly igniting the mixture from a failing ignition.


Without more to go on, it's hard to say if there is, or is not, a problem.

 

I agree about the wires. You might still have the weak early level starter. Also you might clean the MAF sensor if the idle is not smooth.