MTLbroker

I have an 04, never been able to flood it. Include short drives, start and stop, etc. The battery even died last winter when the car was in storage... twice! Charged up the battery, cranked the engine. Car started. It wasn't a question of pcm flash. I just updated mine a week and a half ago.

nokiafan88

Yeah i have an 05 with 8000 miles, no flooding because i do the revving. And my neighbors think that im just doing it for fun but it pissed me off so i showed them my manual that the rotary engine is no complex engine

Paul_in_DC

16,000 miles with no flooding.

... and if I manage to flood it right after writing this, I'll hunt down the original poster ... :D

fredw1

2005.
Did not rev before shutting off, since never had the problem before. I tested the car at the dealer's lot just before two test drives, so I figured I was free and clear. Then forgot a couple of times to rev, and figured no need to do so. Never a problem before. I'm always moving the car in and out of the garage for washing (something my wife may think is excessive), and have never had a problem. This time was no different.
Car ran 30-60 seconds and temperature was 65.

fredw1

Mine had to be flat-bedded to the dealer today, and they say it's back to normal. Will pick it up in an hour.

This incident just goes to show me that I was way too overconfident about not having a flooding problem with an '05, since I had performed cold shut-offs without incident for 10 months. Now I guess I'll follow the "rules" a bit more closely.

jeffe19007

I have another 2005, no floods, don't rev, move car to wash it without letting it warm up.

No floods.

I have not even seen it balk. This 2005 just had it's first birthday at 8000 miles.

Recently went to 'E' flash with the recall.

If it floods now, I will be pissed.

Brice-RX8

It's beginning to get colder in some parts of the country and I can see the flooding issue being more pronounced during that time than when it is hot outside and the gas can kinda evaporate more easily. I suggest not pushing your luck and just do as Mazda has suggested.

Howard

My dealer flooded mine yesterday. They have gotten many cars towed in because of flooding. They always change spark plugs.

Brice-RX8

Guess it is a good way to get a free set of expensive *** spark plugs out of Mazda.

fray

iTrader: (1)

Ugh.. I think I flooded mine today.. went out and it cranks.. but won't start.

I had to move it a few feet from the driveway into the garage a few days ago.. I reved up, and turned it off as the tac dropped.. but apparently that wasn't enough.

I dread having to have this towed to the dealer.. (FYI it was only 45F outside today..)

fredw1

It was 55-60 degrees when mine flooded. Again this was the first time in 5000 miles despite many previous successful 20-second car moves. Heed the advice of Brice. Wish I had.

fray

iTrader: (1)

Ya I think that is the trick.. I got lazy.. and had done a number of successful car moves. But this is the first one when it was under 65F outside.

I think the combination of cold weather, and short move caused the problem. (Ohh well, live and learn.. I even knew better then to do this... thats what is killing me.)

AZRX7Guy

Yea, Right. I guess people are just making up these flooding stories!

Roaddemon

I posted that in a joking manner. Mine flooded yesterday after 2yrs and 13k. the dealer says the battery failed which caused the flood. They replaced the battery and installed the new plugs and new software under the bulliten that adresses this problem as engine crank no start and battery failure. I'm happy cause I got a new battery and plugs. It starts on fist crank now. i got new brakes front and rear on another recall at 8k. If this keeps up I'll never have to replace anything when maintenance comes due. Love those recalls.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

There wasn't any recall involving brakes... only a TSB that addressed squeaking brake pads.

Roaddemon

yes, I had the squeak front and back. They replaced the pads under that TBS. No more squeak or brake dust since. I may be confusing TBS wiith recalls. I consider TBS's recalls when car is affected and repaired under them.

leegina

I think thats what I hated more than not having any horsepower or torque for that matter. Was the constant nervousness getting in and wondering if it was going to start or not!!!! If they put a conventional engine in the RX8 it would be one nice car but then they would have to beef everything up at the same time, trans, rearend, etc.

spieder

Never had a 12a flood under any wheather condition. Wonder why the Renesis seems to be having problems. Seems that they should have better control over the fuel delivery system. Maybe its a spark plug issue. I know the older rotaries had different plugs for different temperatures. I always ran the "normal" one in Ca. They always asked me if I wanted the cold weather ones just in case. Of course, that was aftermarket. As far as I know, Mazda had only 1 OEM set.

Anyone knwo exactly what causes this failure mode since it is so repeatable. I know the 350 Z pretty much won't start below 0 dF but it's strange the renesis has problems under 45 dF.

I woudl assume it's running really rich. In the old days when cars had chokes (or 1985 with a 12a) you knew never to turn the car off with the choke on. Must be similar. I'll take mine up to the mountains this winter and try it out ). I'll park facing downhill just in case.

tiggerlee

Well, I have had mine for over a year now and no matter what I do I can't seem to flood it. Guess I'm just one of the lucky ones.

Roaddemon

,,,,,,,,,,,Anyone knwo exactly what causes this failure mode since it is so repeatable. I know the 350 Z pretty much won't start below 0 dF but it's strange the renesis has problems under 45 dF. ,,,,,,,,,,,

Mine starts 15-20 below zero no problem. Never flooded till recently. Always drive it like any other car. Battery failure caused my problem. Rotaries get very hot. Batteries can't take the heat and burn up. There is a TBS for proper placement of the battery in the insulated battery compartment. Mazda should have put the battery in the trunk like Porsche. They run hot too. I hope I don't have to replace the battery every 2 years.

Roaddemon

[QUOTE=leegina]I think thats what I hated more than not having any horsepower or torque for that matter. Was the constant nervousness getting in and wondering if it was going to start or not!!!! If they put a conventional engine in the RX8 it would be one nice car but then they


This is a rotary enthusiast car forum. Thats why most of us bought the rx8. We like the rotary. I would not have bought the car if it had a piston engine. IT IS one very nice car mostly because it has a rotary.

Nick Alvarado

Thought I chip in. I live in the desert in southern Ca. Extreme heat/Extreme Cold
Summer up to 120+ Winter Frezzing. Worried about my 04 in summer...but survived more or less. When I purchased I had for a couple months and had to get a new engine. They said the block was cracked...factory defect. I ve had all the recalls taken care of. 3 weeks ago flooding problem...tried everything...No luck had to towed over 60 miles to Yuma Az (closest dealer) They were ready for me. They had ordered parts before I arrived. Mazda has sent a service memo on flooding. They changed my starter, battery and plugs. As far as I can tell to hi-end versions. The car is feels very different. Actually more of what I expected from a sports car. It starts like it really means it ...you know with an extra kick. Not only that but street driving used to be an issue for me I felt like I wass gliding. My other car is a sentra specV front wheel drive 6 speed. I was trying which of the cars to trade on a truck and believe me I was this close to go with the Sentra....Now I am having second thoughts....the 8 is doing much better. The way you guys talk about the o5 I am almost sure that they addressed the problem the same way. Post back with any questions... (2004 metalic blue...6 speed...w/everything) Nick