Okay, I hadn't driven my 8 for 10 days because I wasn't home.

Upon start up, it ran extremely rough, feeling like it was going to die, for the entire time I let it warm up, which was about 5 minutes. CEL was ON, too.

CEL went off after about 3 minutes.

After pulling out of my garage, it ran rough for about another minute or so, as I was keeping the RPMs well below 3k.

By the time I reached the highway, about 10 minutes had gone by and it was running fine. I opened it up big time and ran it hard on the highway once it was fully warmed up and it ran fine, as I took about an 80 mile round trip with it.

It's running fine now.

Any similar experiences? Was it just running rich initially for whatever reason?

I had the battery and started motor replaced compliments of Mazda back in December and it has run fine ever since, until this one startup problem.

It is running fine now, too.

The only thing I can think of is that either it sat too long with wildly fluctuating temperatures here without being driven, or, and I didn't mention this, the oil level is too high. They sort of overfilled it but not to an extent that I think should cause any problems - but if someone thinks this could be the issue even though it's running perfectly now, let me know.


Thoughts?

 

I think the rotary just is not meant to sit for days without being run. (even idled in driveway to operating tempature)

I'm no expert by any means. But I've heard that the longer the car sits. The harsher idles because of the gas inside the engine? I maybe remembering incorrectly.

But I do believe your situation is normal for our cars.


Just my $.02

 

Was you tank less than full? Are you in a cool climate? Possibly condensation (water in the gas). Also check to see that your gas tank cap is properly seated.

My '8 has sat for many weeks and no problem upon starting. Moreso this long winter than most. I do keep a battery tender on it all the time it sits. I also keep the tank full of premium.

 

Have you changed your spark plugs lately? It might be a mis-fire from one of the plugs.
I have to go start mine from sitting since last Thursday. And I know it's gonna burbble and pop.

 

I only had about just over a quarter tank of gas.

I was thinking that since we've had temperature swing of between 18 degrees and 54 degrees during that 10 days it sat, it may have something to do with it, but that's just a guess.

I am due to get my plugs replaced soon.

Anyone think it could something specific?

 

I don't think it's anything serious. Or something that a new set of plugs won't help.

 

Just go fill it up with 93 octane and it will work thru the system fine.

 

Yep, me thinks it's time for new plugs and a tankful of high octane.

'She's been so good to me....I say, I say, she's been so good to me....now wai-a-a-a-a-ait a minute......she makes me wanna shout!'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvDnG8TqPt8

 

Are you technically NOT part of the Zero Problem Club now? I have had similar problems after letting mine sit for a week.

 

That's a good question.

I'm going to let everyone decide for me, since it's a close call I think.

Mazda did gracefully replace my battery and starter motor free of charge when it was having trouble starting in very cold weather, but the battery was 3 years and 3 months old at that point, to be fair, and it was 0 degrees out.

Yours did the same exact thing, and was fine afterwards?

 

Car is running perfectly.

The rough start had to be the result of the 10 day time out during wild temperature swings (16 degrees to 54 degrees, back and forth).

 

I really don't think it falls into the problem category. I think your still safe.

 

Lesson learned - keep the tank full in Winter.

 

You should check what cel it was with an obd2 scanner or something.

 

Actually, you're right.

It'll show even though it was literally a flash in the pan, 3 minute CEL, correct?