IGiveUp

Alright, so I currently have a 2006 RX8 Shinka with 80k(+/-) miles. For the past few months, it has been sluggish and would not be very responsive until around 4k RPM, then it would take off. Didn't think much of it at the time, then I parked it. Did not drive it for a couple of weeks, went to start it, battery was dead. Charged it overnight, re-installed and attempted to start. Cranked right over, idled fine and let run for about 15 mins before shutting off at 5k RPM. Went to start it the following day; started fine, but idled at about 500 RPM, EXTREMELY rough, nothing it has ever done before. Didn't make any noises, just a hard/rough idle. It also did not stall until I attempted to give it a little bit of gas. The plugs/wires/oil were all changed less than 1,000 miles ago.. After it died, I got pissed and took my truck to work, as I was running late. Tried it the next day, and it just turns over, with adequate compression. I don't see how it could have been flooded right off the bat, as I have always held at 5k RPM before shutting down to prevent flooding, which has always worked. Tried it the day after that, and pretty sure it ended up flooding (sweet smell/white smoke from tail pipes, etc.) My only thoughts now are that it could possibly be; coils, starter, fuel pump/filter (bc of the sluggish throttle until 4k RPM) The battery is also 5 years old, not sure how that would have effected the 500 RPM idle that felt as if I was driving on a flat tire. I don't see how I would have busted a seal since it started and idled perfect after charging the battery . Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I absolutely love this car, but holy hell it can be a headache!


2006 RX8 Shinka
80,000 (+/-) miles
New: Plugs/Wires/Oil
Possibilities?: Coils, Starter, Fuel Pump/Filter
Upstate NY - 80-90 Degree Weather

MBabin

Some guys may be able to give more specific insight, since I am a fairly new owner. But this sounds a lot like an electrical thing. I would start with the battery, since it lost charge after two weeks only. Like you said, it hasn't been replaced so perhaps that is your best starting point? I would then work your way around - coils, MAF sensor, etc.

Good luck!!

IGiveUp

Thanks for the reply MBabin. It's just strange bc when I store it 6 months over winter w no charger, just starting it every 10 days, it holds a charge just fine. I replaced the plugs/wires around September 15, now I have coils and a Red Top battery on the way.. I'll let everyone know how that works!

wannawankel

First thought was battery health or battery connection. How old is the battery? If it is 2-5 years old, I would take the battery over to an auto parts store to check on capacity. It may charge OK on a dumb charger but not hold a charge during operation. Battery connections on the mounts and the wiring should be pristine - clean them and use dielectric grease on all connections.

wannawankel

FYI with daily driving I plan on replacing my battery like maintenance - replacing it going into the third year. Costco brand name batteries are reasonably priced and last. A battery replacment on a hot engine environment is better than being stranded in the middle of summer with no working A/C

IGiveUp

I took it to get tested and it had 0 volts (not even enough to print the readout) and like double digit CCA when it was rated at 660. The battery is 5 years old. I have an Optima Red Top on the way which is what I've read to use on here. Any thoughts on why it would run at 4-500 RPM then stall when I even feathered the throttle, after it ran flawless the day before? I'm hoping the battery and coils will solve everything.

haugi88

I would look on the intake manifold. Maybe some flaps are stucking. Or not open probably

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Yeah dude, I bet your flaps are stucking for sure.

MBabin

Agreed with the above. Glad the main issue is just a battery - breath a sigh of relief!

A good cleaning of the IM and you should be idling just fine.

Good luck!

IGiveUp

Is there a way to clean the flaps without having to clean the whole IM, opening a whole other can of worms?!

IGiveUp

Figured it out.. cleaned the air box out and replaced the air filter/coils. Runs 100x better and has much more power. Starts up in less than half the time with the new Optima Red Top battery, definitely recommend that. Thanks for the comments/suggestions

CelestialGryphon

iTrader: (1)

Was the airbox full of rats and trash? That's a hell of a lot to make it stop running.

MiRe

He got new coils & a battery as well, I'd say those were the actual causes. Cleaning the airbox was probably just something that happened when he changed the coils since the airbox has to come out to do it properly.

IGiveUp

The air box had quite a bit of dead leaves and what not in it, most likely from storing it over winter, and the air filter was pretty dirty. Changed that and everything else, runs like a charm now. Huge relief.