macyrotten

I bought my very first RX-8 two weekends ago. I've waited nearly 5 years for that day! It's a 2007 model, Red Velocity Mica, and ohhhhh--it is preeeeetty! Aside from the plasti-dipped wheels/gas cover and obnouctious carbon fiber tape it has.

I can't begin to tell you how much TROUBLE I went through actually finding one. What year, wrecked or not, engine trouble, needing a cat. converter. I actually found one and honestly fell in love with it that was actually within a 30 minute drive of my home. (Too good to be true. Some guy in Asheville sweeped in and put a deposit on it literally 30 minutes before my appointment to test drive.. . Anyways, we wasted each others time. I took a 3 hour trip to Asheville to buy my RX-8 and he took a 3 hour trip to Greensboro for his RX-8. Derp!)

Anyways. It had several owners, four. Someone obviously didn't care for it. The engine was replaced. The cat. coverter was replaced. All the spark plugs were replaced. So, it had 107k miles on the body. 150 miles on the new engine when I bought it. ..a little over 1k now. (I'm so proud!)

The door handle broke on me literally 3 days of owning it. Yikes! Mazda dealership took it in, fixed it, the ****-jobs put a regular bulb in the door and tried to sly it by me like it was no big deal. The man said "at least your door works now." Uh. No. It's going back next Friday for the airbag recall and a new door light. That being said, are they replacing your cracked dash with the recall?

Rambling, Here's my beef: When I purchased the car there was absolutely no sign of trouble turning over. The more I turn the car on, the more trouble I have with it turning over. It wasn't that bad or even noticeable until I left it at the local Mazda dealership, 3 days after purchasing. It finally got to the point that it was taking about 4-6 seconds for the engine to fire up. (I figured they flooded it?)

• I have not started it with immediate shut off.
• The battery tested in the green, so it's not that?
• The key fob is flashing red. (I've read that could be a problem?)
• I actually did the de-flooding, pedal-to-the-floor method with start-up. This actually helped, a little. The 4-6 seconds went down to about 2-3 seconds.
• It's got new spark plugs, could it have been flooded, and forgive me if this is wrong wording, and the plugs have been wetted?

Maybe ya'll can help me find a straight answer. I have been reading for hours and hours trying to figure this out. But my problem doesn't just fit perfect with all the other posts that are similar.

I gotta take care of this new toy. My miata is on its deathbed and I'm trying to dump my feelings into this RX-8.

Williard

iTrader: (18)

welcome!

Did you have a proper compression test done?
Do you know the age of the coils and wires?
Do you know which starter you have?


Travis

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macyrotten

I did not, I guess I'm naive for doing so. I made the assumption that a new engine wouldn't need the test. This is what I have "replaced the engine, spark plugs, wires, leak detection pump, oil injectors and catalytic converter." Other than that, I am at a loss of information. I don't know the ages or the starter. I do know that a previous owner had a thing for aftermarket, which on the repair diagnostics has proved to be a god-awful thing.

Having said that, the car was picked up from the dealership after being repaired in October of 2014. They state that the car was no longer misfiring after the engine was replaced. The car sat for a pretty good while. The engine is still under warranty. Should I ask the local dealership for a compression test? How much would that cost me?

Williard

iTrader: (18)

$150-250 depending upon location.

a video of the start up would be beneficial.

Do not assume that because the engine was replaced that the coil packs were replaced. There is a thread on here about testing the coils.

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Williard

iTrader: (18)

Check the number on the starter. Is it N3Z1?

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Williard

iTrader: (18)

I wouldn't worry so much about compression yet.

I would start with the basics.

Test the coils and check the starter.

Travis

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App

macyrotten

Reading over the coil threads. Yikes, I don't know if I'm mechanically savvy enough! I will check the starter in the AM. Not sure what I can see by my coils, but I will see if there's any wear and tear.. If not, I will call the dealer that repaired it and see if they have any information for me on Monday. I'll also try to get a video of my start-up. Can't do much when it's dark and sleeting outside! No garage here.. Thanks for your help. :-)

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Most parts stores will have a cheap spark tester you can get to check if your coils are good. It looks like a spark plug with a clip attached to it.
Easy to check.
I would suggest changing all four coils if you don't know how old they are, you can easily ruin a brand new converter with bad coils.

macyrotten

There's the link to my start-up. Cold start, the car turns right on over when the engine is warm.

Had my battery and starter tested.

Battery:
Voltage: 12.31V, 602 CCA measured and rated at 800 CCA, Temp was 41 degrees F.

Starter:
Low cranking amps, Voltage: 10.59V, Amps: 0.1A, Timed 1.10 Seconds.

The battery is the Duralast factory reccomended. Should I shoot for the Optima? I can get is 15% off today only.

I'm trying high octance gas in it, as well. As for the coils, I think that's something I will want to wait and have my grandpa help me out with.

OnebaddRx8

If it's a new rebuild a compression test is pointless until the engine is broken in for at least 2500 miles, as you will have blow by until seals are completely seated.
I have a new rebuild done by Banzai Racing and everything is new( ignition system,cat,exhaust, evap pump,battery) and my car takes 2-3 seconds to start(original starter 04').
I wouldn't worry yourself about compression focus on the other stuff the guys above have mentioned.

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macyrotten

Thanks! It's about 1180 miles on it now. I did a little more research today.

I've put the higher octane gas it in, didn't change much, probably hasn't ran through enough quite yet. I figured this much, I've honestly been driving it like a grandma. I'm so use to a small car, this rx-8 still feels like a SUV to me! So, I man-handled it today. I've read several times; drive it like you stole it, redline a day, etc. So.. .. I drove it like I stole it for sure. It's been turning right over! Maybe I just haven't been treating it 'right.'

Regardless, I'm going to have the Mazda dealer give me a hand with the coils this coming Friday. I honestly don't feel comfortable doing it myself. I would love to learn but I don't think it's best that I try to teach myself. Going to see if I can buy them online somewhere a bit cheaper and then probably have them installed the Friday after next if need be. :-)

Thanks for all the help! I'm sorry to bring up the redundant 'it's not turning over' thread. I just couldn't fit all the pieces together. Mostly because mine's doing it with a cold engine rather than hot!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure what you mean by "high octane", but you are aware that you should always fill up with premium gas, right?
Not doing so can damage your engine.

Madmatt91

I also have a 2007 rx8. I remember buying it and driving it home and it was lush. it has 57300 miles and after 1300 miles of driving the car the car lost power and white smoke caming out where the engine is. i been tring to find out what it could be as the smoke smelt like burnt electrics. i am in the process of changing the crank angle sensor, spark plugs, coil packs and leads then will run a full diagnostic on the fault codes. from what everyone has said the white smoke is coolant, which is very true as my coolant is completly gone. but the smell is what worried me . do you think that due to the engine having no coolant it overheated and burnt the wiring.

The car starts and the engine sounds prefect but has a misfire on 1 cylinder and struggles to rev, it also sounds very rough as well. If anyone can help i would appreciate it. Thanks

CRO8TIA

Unlikely overheating would burn the wiring. Take a look at the oil on your dipstick, if its a milky looking goo,which means you have water contamination in your oil, your engine is toast. You can also do a cooling system pressure test or a hydrocarbon test of the coolant.It could also be as simple as a hose has split or failed, though if it has overheated its not a good scenario.

Madmatt91

I have looked at the oil and the oil is abit darker than it was before. it has no milky affect to it. the transparency of it is blacker but not like gunk or goo. Ill do a test on it and see if it was a leak which in affect went onto a hot component causing it too burn or cause the smoke. Thanks for the advice

CRO8TIA

Darker is good, as long as it's not milky. You may want to check the condition of your cat converter while you're replacing the ignition components.When you refill the cooling system, ensure you bleed all of the air from it.

Madmatt91

Very good point. When i run the diagnostic kit on it, do you think it will come up as a fault code.

macyrotten

I'm learning! I put one tank full of regular gas in it driving it home. There's a gas station down the road with non-ethanol gas.. Which is what I usually put in my car anyways. :-) Premium gas it is!

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

That's one of the things mentioned in the new owners stickies at the top of the new owner threads.
If you haven't read it yet, you should.
Everything you need to know is there.
Have fun!

macyrotten

I read it! I've read so much my mind is floating. I'm just in a pickle to figure out why my car doesn't want to turn over. It started doing it again this morning. I got a lot to do this week. Hopefully, I'll have it fixed by the weekend.

My mom said to me yesterday, "You sure buying it was a good idea?" And I said "Yeap!" Then she went on to say "I figured you would buy it regardless of what anyone told you." She was right. :-)

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I like your attitude.

bishop1950

Are you in Greensboro ? Thats where I am ..
What I saw from your video it starts right up ... is it hard to start hot ? Thjat is a quirk with these engines . Wait 15 min ... DO NOT PUT FOOT ON GAS PEDDLE STaRTING IT !
If you are in Greensboro contact me PM

bishop1950

Do not start it and turn it off till the temp guage comes up to normal operating temp ...
Do a premix !!!!!!

macyrotten

I'm right down the road! I'll PM you. :-D

It's got a little 2-4 seconds of turning before it rolls over; it was doing almost 5-6 so I did the deflooding and it went back down. Hot start turns right on over, absolutely no questions asked. Only the cold start that's giving me a fit. I don't ever put my foot on the gas when starting.

macyrotten

I like that you like my attitude. :-) And it didn't even take a cup of coffee!