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i just picked up a 2004 rx8 non-turbo. Seller said it was fine he drove it parked it and when he went to leave it would not start. it sat for 2 years and i bought it for 500.00. I drained the tank pt in fresh fuel and injector cleaner. Put my tow strap on it and pulled it about a 1/4 mile popped the clutch and after a little spit and sputter she came to life. runs smooth but does not want to idle and will not start unless i pull it and pop the clutch.it starts right up and if i stay on the gas it runs. It stored codes p2259, p0171, p0661, p0300, and p0302. The 2 misfire codes i figure are from the rough pull start. I have been trouble shooting and have ordered the vacuum solenoids and i am going to go through and check for vacuum leaks. Any input is welcome and appreciated!
Nice find.
Please have a read at rx8help.com, New and Potential Owners section. Itll give you what you need to know.
The misfires could be from the rough awakening, but the number one thing with these cars is ignition health. If you dont know how old it is, replace all of it.
Any pics under the hood? Maybe something jumps out.
Is it all stock? Some aftermarket intakes on these can give weird problems like this.
Very nice!!! Thats the exact color combo I've been searching for for some time! Absolutely love the car! How many miles are in the car?
I would first start with a proper compression test with a rotary compression tester. Do it with the engine at normal operating temperature. This will ensure you're not throwing money at a dead or weak engine. Keep us updated with what you find!
If you can get it started and get the engine warm, the very first thing you need to do is a compression test on a warmed engine. You do not want to go and start replacing parts without first learning if it needs a new engine or not. Unless you happen to have another RX8 you can just swap parts with I wouldn't bother putting money into it yet. You did extremely well for 500 bucks though. Even if the engine is toast.
@CaymanRotary i can pull start it and it fires right up now just does not want to idle. i am fairly new the rotary engine. i owned 2 rx7 when i was younger. a 87 and a 88 convertible. i have a compression tester for piston engines will it not work on the rotary?
It will not work well. You have to remove the shrader valve and the compression in a rotary changes with rpm, so depending on your starter speed, the results will be different. You *can* use it, just don't draw any conclusions based on the results.
@CaymanRotary i can pull start it and it fires right up now just does not want to idle. i am fairly new the rotary engine. i owned 2 rx7 when i was younger. a 87 and a 88 convertible. i have a compression tester for piston engines will it not work on the rotary?
Youll really need to source a rotary compression tester for accurate results. I guess if you can't, pull the spark plugs,wires and coils and test them as well as look at their overall condition. If it's running then it should be able to start under its own starter. Is the battery in good shape?
I wonder if the engine is original with 124k miles or if its a reman.
I agree that it should start without having to be pull started. I suspect very low compression unfortunately. If you were a little closer, I would offer a free compression test with my rotary compression tester. I'd be happy to help you out. I have a soft spot for Nordic Green 8's. I have an 04 6spd GT in Nordic Green that I'm restoring.
You can get a general idea of where each face of the rotor sits with a piston compression tester. You'll have tonwatch for the needle fluctuations with each compression pulse. Its not perfect but it can give you an idea of what you're working with.
@mazdaverx7 i believe it is original. i am 3rd owner. the guy i got it from bought it used as 2nd owner. he drove it shut it off and it would not start back up for him. he didnt even mess with it after he just parked it and started driving his truck he let it sit for 2 years or so until i finally got a hold of him in person made him the offer and bought it. i got it to start yesterday on its own. it has the 1.4 kw starter in it so i ordered a 2kw starter today. going to go through it and clean and check everything. i appreciate the offer on the help i will take all i can get not afraid to listen and take advice from anyone. i watched a video and found a link to download a calculator to use a piston compression tester and get a result.
what do you guys think about the ls coil upgrade ebay has the complete kit for 279.
So tomorrow it will be oil change,air filter, tune up, 2.0 kw starter, oh ya and compression test.
Also whats up with the premix yes or no
Premix is up to you. Half an ounce of premix per gallon of gas is the standard ratio. It certainly can't hurt, even at this stage. $279 is a good price for the LS coil upgrade if the parts are good quality. I have the BHR kit and its been amazing. Its been on the car since 2012 and has worked flawlessly.
Great idea on the starter. I recently got my 2.0kw start from Banzai Racing and I'm happy with it. Plus at only $115 it was a great buy! Feel free to message me if I can help in any way. I'll shoot you my cell.
Pretty cool to find a car like that for $500, no matter what you run into! Seems like, as people have suggested, do the compression test first (well, after oil change and air filter anyway) before spending money on ignition and other parts. Does it still have a cat converter on it? If not, definitely premix, but I'd say even if it has a cat you should premix at least until verifying your oil injection is working.
Pulled plugs today and changed the oil. Plugs are carbon fowled added premix to the tank. tomorrow after work i am going to put the new plugs in. the coils and wires are on their way. this weekend i am going to pull the ssv valve and clean it all up gaskets for everything came in today. and the solenoid for it also came in i hope once i get these things done and clear the cel it will stay off and idle on its own.
I tried the atf trick let it sit all night and today and when i got home i started it let it burn all of it out and get good and warm still would not idlle. took the plugs out and pulled the fuel pump fuse and performed the deflood. put new plugs in and it started warm and thank goodness it decided to idle on it own. yay. runing good going to do something things on the list in the new owner section and get tags and insurance tomorrow and once i get a few things done going to take it out and blow some carbon out. 800.00 in and it is alive and looking better.
I tried the atf trick let it sit all night and today and when i got home i started it let it burn all of it out and get good and warm still would not idlle. took the plugs out and pulled the fuel pump fuse and performed the deflood. put new plugs in and it started warm and thank goodness it decided to idle on it own. yay. runing good going to do something things on the list in the new owner section and get tags and insurance tomorrow and once i get a few things done going to take it out and blow some carbon out. 800.00 in and it is alive and looking better.
The ATF trick will work but only temporarily. you will soon be back in the same spot you were in before if it turns out engine is bad. I would be very cautious putting too much money in before you get a compression test done. Now that it starts, runs and it can warm up, you can get an accurate reading of the engine health.
Last edited by CaymanRotary; 01-14-2021 at 05:47 PM.
@CaymanRotary i believe you are right i ran it after it started up and got it good and warm shut it off and went back out about 45 mins later and it would not start i am putting a hold on everything until i do a compression test and see where it goes from there.
01-09-2021, 07:56 PM
My 500.00 project
