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
Thanks Harley, I don't think he's 'started' anything on it yet so
we'll try this!
Jarrett
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