Hello all,

I'm aware there are other threads (and guides regarding hot starts). I've read these and just wanted to describe my issue in a little more detail in the hope that someone might be charitable enough to offer me some more bespoke advice than what is available to me on a generic advice thread.

I've bought an RX8 231 (first time owner) through eBay. It's been delivered today.

Pre and post purchase I was very sure to question about any hot start issues and was reassured that the seller was an ex Mazda tech and that not only were there no hot/cold start issues, but also the coils and starter had been recently upgraded and there was service history to prove.

When taking the dealer to the train station post transaction, I thought i'd drive.

On starting the car (it had just done 100+ miles so was pretty hot), I turned the key and held it in place for perhaps two seconds like I would any of my other cars until it fires and it would not start - just hesitation.

Dealer (condescendingly) suggested that i'd flooded it now so it would not start for about 20 minutes. He assured me that I must not start this car in the same way I should start a normal car as it causes it to flood.

I tried the pedal floor/crank de-flood method (which i'd read about on here) and it worked. He started the car and showed me the correct way.

A gentle flick of the key in the ignition (without holding until start like a normal car) and the car seems to limp to life with no real enthusiasm. Once it's running, it seems perfectly fine. There are no flatspots and it's a really pleasurable car to drive. It does smell like it's running a bit rich which again, he assured is normal for these. Being sublimely ignorant, I can only take his word for it because he claims to have intimate knowledge of these cars.

He was very anxious about the possibility of me stalling it (he needed to get back) and insisted he drive us to the train station. He insisted that holding the key in the start position on startup until the vehicle fires would cause it to flood and that it's a definite must not!

I've started it his way several times since warm and it seems to start, but the way it sort of lags and slowly springs to life seems concerning. I've been around cars my entire life and the cynic in me is starting to think this isn't right.

I just wanted to see if someone would kindly offer some assurances or dispel/validate some fears at least.

1. Is this normal starting procedure for a Mazda RX8? If I try and start it the same way as my other cars, is it normal that it would 'flood' or not start?

2. Is it normal for them to smell a bit rich on startup?

3. Did Mazda REALLY mass produce cars that can leave people stranded if not correctly started in the above way?

4. Does anybody know this car personally and can possibly tell me about it? The listing is here:

Mazda RX8 231 6 Speed Sat Nav | eBay

I'll be taking it to Mazda next week for a compression test. It will either put my mind at rest, or evidence the fact that there is a problem.

I appreciate any help anyone can give in the interim.

Cheers.

P.s. Happy new year to you all.

 

If you have healthy ignition components, plugs, wires, and most importantly, coils, flooding is not an issue.
*If your ignition checks out, and you have the upgraded starter, get your battery checked.

 

You bought it for $1800 USD?!?!

That's incredible!

 

Try getting a fresh battery in there to see how it starts. As well, could be the starter going bad.

The smell could be normal. You're probably getting some fuel in there prior to start up.

Try the 2 I mentioned and see if it helps. If not, compression is a likely issue, unfortunately.

 

Thanks guys. Appreciate the assistance.

I think I will have the compression checked for good measure. If nothing else, it's a clean bill of health.

Will have the battery and starter looked at also.

It starts like the first video on this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...ck-out-207244/

 

Check if the starter was really replaced. It should look new. There are no special tricks with a healthy engine, start it like you would any other car. Also a flood doesn't clear itself after 20 minutes, so I would not listen any more of the seller's advice. Having to wait to restart a warm car is indicative of low compression and/or poor starter.

 

It's been replaced with this - the receipt is in the documentation:

MAZDA RX8 RX 8 03-12 BRAND NEW UPRATED 2KW STARTER MOTOR FASTER CRANKING SPEED | eBay


Is this a proper upgrade or just a novelty thing?

 

Took it out to meet a friend for coffee tonight.

Started when cold after a couple of turns of the key.

Started when warm but still not happy with the way it fires

Both starts were weird. The car sort of sluggishly comes to life. It doesn't fire like a normal car. Is this normal for an RX8?

Basically if I turn the key for anything more than a few milliseconds it won't go and will just crank. But if I flick the key in the ignition very briefly it seems to crank and sluggishly wake up.

Idle is a bit lumpy also. Is this normal? I stopped at McDonald's drive through and with the car in neutral it felt like it was weak idling. Like at any point it could cut out. This could however be my paranoia from my already questionable experience of the dealer.

When I turn lights on or AC or any electrics it seems to affect the idle more than I'd like.

Still also a very rich smell from the car and a bit of smoke when it's cold and warm. Friend who was driving behind me said he could smell it in his car.

Does this help you guys with any sort of diagnosis?

 

Have you read the New Owner stickies?
Start there.
There are some simple things you could do that don't cost much.
Clean the ESS and MAF sensor, do the 20 brake stomp.
Be sure your battery terminals are clean and tight.
They can be tightened all the way, and still be loose, needing shims.

 

Also, you are aware it requires Premium fuel, yes?

 

That sounds like you may have a gutted catalytic converter or a midpipe.
If you need a cat to pass emissions inspection, you need to have it dropped and visually inspected to be sure it's still good.
You should also try to get your OBD scanned for any pending codes.
Many dealers will simply unhook the battery to clear CELs, and they pop up again after the sale.

 

Had the same issue . Mine is a 04 GT.

I replaced the old battery with a new powerful one and serviced the starter motor.
And BAM .... car starts fine
why don't you start from them ...

if you say your starter is new. Check on it and sometimes ebay sells old 1.3k starter motor's saying its 2kw ..

so make sure its genuine Mazda upgraded starter .. and go through the thread started by RIWWP Congratulations..

 

No kidding! There is bunch of really cheap running 8's over there! Maybe because the steering wheel was installed on the wrong side.