Paul, I'm trying to remember back some of the things to look over w/ the Rx-8's and
 their non-starting issues. I've got a buddy who has a 2005 w/ ~ 100,000km's on it and
 he's having starting issues. Basically they ran it for just a short period here a
 couple weeks ago [moved parking spaces] and then later than night it wouldn't start.
 It's turning over well but won't fire.  I've got a few ideas to check but thought I'd
 ask here before jumping in a tearing into anything. [IIRC there was a similar problem
 a number of years ago where the recommendation was to put a tablespoon's worth of
 transmission fluid in via the spark plug hole?] I have no idea if there is spark or
 clean plugs or compression etc, just starting in 'untouched' here.

   Thanks!

   Jarrett Johnson

 Check the compression first. If it has good compression it may be flooded.
 Check all the coils. They may have failed. The best way to test them is a five volt
 pulse generator which you will probably have to make. Down the shop manual for other
 methods. http://foxed.ca/index.php?page=rx7manual Don't be fooled by the name. They
 also have RX8 stuff.

 If you flood it and get raw gasoline puddled in the bottom of the rotor housing it
 will be nearly impossible to start. Mazda re flashed the computer to mostly eliminate
 the the problem back in 2004.

 Take out the lower spark plugs. Set the e-shaft angle so you can get a small clear
 plastic tube into the bottom of the engine through the lower spark plug hole. Use a
 12 volt low pressure fuel pump that will suck fuel. Test it by sticking the tube in a
 two foot high container with a inch of gas to make sure it will suck. Some pumps
 won't suck because they are designed to be inside the fuel tank buried in fuel.
 Wiggle the tube around so you will get as much of the raw fuel as possible.

 Another approach is take the exhaust manifold off and go in through the side exhaust
 ports. This works the best. You can also blow hot air in to evaporate the fuel.

 Put in a set of new or cleaned dry plugs.

 It will start. The mistake most people make is pumping gas pedal. A no no.

 The transmission fluid trick is for stuck apex seals. If it has good compression the
 seals are not stuck. To check for stuck apex seals with a low compression engine  put
 the apex seal in-line with the lower spark plug hole and use an 1/8th dia rod to feel
 for the the apex seal spring action.

 To check for compression use an ordinary piston engine  compression tester with the
 Schrader valve removed. You should see 3 or more pulses in a row with about the same
 needle deflection as the engine turns over with the starter.


 Paul Lamar

Morning, Paul...

Despite the so called computer fix, my RX8 will still flood out
if I shut it off too soon from cold (83,000 miles now). But, I've
found a "fix" that works every time...you just need
patience...and possibly a battery charger! So, if flooding may be
his problem, he can try this first as it's probably the easiest
of the above mentioned methods, and no "tearing into anything" as
he mentioned.

First, pull the fuel pump fuse so that it won't be pumping any
fresh gas into the engine.  Then simply crank it over for 10
seconds, then wait a minute, then do it again for 10 seconds.  Do
this one more time (3 10 second cranks total), then let it set
for 5 minutes and do it again for three more 10 second cranks
with one minute pauses. After that, putting the fuse back, it
starts for me (and others here) every time.  If the battery gets
too low, you may need to put a charger on it as well.

This is the method my local Mazda garage told me they've been
using for some time when I thought I was introducing them to a
sure fire fix!

Harley



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