James McNamee

Hello Everyone and thank you for the add into the group. I have just purchased a 74k mile 2004 rx8 auto. I pride myself as being a very good mechanic (Caddy Northstars are my speciality) Have not had the pleasure of working on a rotary. Now I bought this car without driving as I was told and experienced myself the car would die and wouldn't restart without cooling down. Vehicle had the upgraded starter and new battery. They told me they replaced the fuel pump plug wires and coils. Car was in a rinky dink used car lot and I know the didn't warm the car properly and probably flooded it numerous times so I planned on new plugs anyway. So started to tear into it today and found oil running into the intake tube and air cleaner badly. MAF was dripping oil. Cleaned that with throttle body cleaner pressure washed and degreased the rest. Replaced the plugs and on the rear rotor the lead and trail plugs we installed backwards! i also decided to check for a possible clogged cat (an am converter has been welded in and looks pretty new) i unbolted it from the headpipe to look in. It didn't show any signs of melting or even blackness on the honeycomb so I thinks it's ok. I left it unbolted for the time being and started the car. Started smooth and loud. Let it settle down to warm idle and decided to run it up the street. Ran it a short distance up and back and car is very sluggish. I tried putting the coals to it and about 6K it seemed to take off ( man that thing is loud at that rpm. Pulled back in my driveway shut it down. Tried to restart and no restart. I am suspecting a faulty MAF possibly? I hear the fuel pump prime and I pulled a wire and placed a plug I took out and cranked it and I have spark. Scratching my head a bit. I figured I would ask the people who know the cars. Thanks

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

It sounds like your engine has lost compression and needs to be rebuilt.
Hot start issues are a classic symptom, along with oil blowby in the intake.
Get a compression test, but it doesn't sound good.

If you want an RX8, I'd suggest cutting your losses with this AT and try to find a MT 6 speed, better all around performance.