Hi, I'm a new member. I have an 08 rx8 with about 42,000 miles on it. Today I tried starting it, but the car would make a coughing sound like it's about to start up, but it won't actually start. I thought it could be a battery problem, even though no battery lights came on but I tried jump starting it anyway. Didn't jump start, so I called the Mazda dealers, they said it could be something "flooding?"😐. They said to turn the ignition on, and press the gas pedal all the way down for about a second and slowly release it back up and that should get it started. Tried that, didn't work. So they're coming in to take it tomorrow morning, but just wanted to know if anybody knew what else it could possibly be? Would really appreciate any indication, this is my second rx8 and is the 40th anniversary limited edition, so really wanna look after it!

Thanks in advance.

 

Flooding is a very common problem. There are about a thousand threads describing various issues.
My advice is to read the thread titled "starting issues START HERE", found in the troubleshooting subforum.

Do you know when the last time your engine had a tuneup?

 

Thanks, will have a look at the threads. Just bought the car in September, previous owner looked after it very well, but will have a look at its last servicing and everything. Thanks again

 

You're supposed to crank the engine while holding the accelerator pedal to the floor. Just flooring it and slowly letting go isn't gonna work.

However, IF it's really flooded, try this.

1) hold the accelerator pedal down to the floor. Pressing it halfway won't work. Hold it all the way down :P
2) crank the car for 10 seconds.
3) stop cranking.
4) wait for 10 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
5) repeat step 2 to 4 for at least 3 times.

6) let go of the accelerator pedal.
7) crank.

If it doesn't start, repeat the entire process. If it still doesn't start, you'll have to pull the spark plugs and repeat the process. The excess fuel will get swept out of the spark plug holes. Search for the exact process on how to do that. You probably won't have to do that. Try those steps I pointed out and report back man we're here to help.

 

Thanks so much for the detailed response! Will be trying this out and hopefully I get it to start before they come and take it for diagnostics tomorrow morning! Would save me £70 lol.

Thanks

 

Seems like the dealer didn't want to give you the whole procedure hoping you'd bring it in for a quick buck while they do they proper procedure and get your car out without putting a thing into it.

 

While that's getting sorted, take a look at the New and Potential Owners thread in the New Members forum. There are few small but very important things you need to look after to keep this car healthy.

While everyone is different, a healthy car should not flood, so you'll want to make sure the items from that thread are up to date.

It could be as simple as new spark plugs, ignition coils and wires, if those items have never been changed.

 

Well Sofina? How did it go?

 

It didn't work ��

 

Then it can't be flooded. Must be something else. Could you describe what's happening when you crank it? Did it randomly stop starting? As in, did it start fine perfectly, and then one morning it didn't start at all? Or were you always having trouble starting and then one day it just didn't start at all?

 

Hi everyone,

It turned out that the problem was that the ignition coils were blown. When I tried the process outlined by Nisaja, the car would crank and continue cranking but wouldnt start. Car was fine on Tuesday, didn't drive on thursday, tried starting it on friday and that's when it wasn't starting. I did notice it struggling to start for about 2 weeks now, every so often it would take longer than usual to start when I turned the ignition on.

Just had them replaced by the dealers, and car is back.

You guys were a great help

 

Good for you, these situations don't often end well, good to see one doing so for a change. Keep your eyes open though for any other signs, Curious though you didn't have a CEL on that?

 

Glad you got it fixed. My process is about deflooding the engine. It doesn't start when you hold the accelerator pedal down. That's the whole point. It's supposed to just crank without starting so that the fuel inside the chamber gets swept out of the exhaust ports. Step 10 I think, the point where you let go of the accelerator and crank, that's when you actually try to start it.

Good luck!