had a little surprise this morning
02-18-2006 | 02:28 PM
#1
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From: Chicago
had a little surprise this morning
Well, in Chicago last night it dropped to 5 below last night and when I came out this morning it was just above zero. I started up the RX, which turned over pretty quick despite the cold, but then it got funky. As soon as the car started it jump immediately to 4K and blow a lot of steam and smoke out the back. I tweaked the accelerator and it dropped down to 2k after a several seconds it dropped down to normal cold start operations.
Is this normal for very cold starts?
Is this normal for very cold starts?
02-18-2006 | 02:41 PM
#2
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Dallas, Tx
During cold mornings in Texas, when I start mine it only revs to the normal 2K RPM, then drops back down...I would imagine 4K might be ok in -5 degrees F? Colder engine would have to work more to get things moving I would think.
I might be wrong however =]
I might be wrong however =]
02-18-2006 | 02:44 PM
#3
.
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From: Motorcity
^ I had a similar issue this morning in Michigan. Same as with you, the temp around here dropped below zero. My car turned over kind of slow (need to go in for the starter and battery change). Anyhoo....after start-up my car was blowing a lot of smoke out of the exhaust....more than I ever seen before. Engine sounded like *** and wanted to rev at like 2.5K-3K RPMs. After warm-up the car behaved normally. I guess Mazda doesn't build 'em for us yanks in the North.
02-18-2006 | 03:00 PM
#4
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From: DFW, TX
It was 35 here last night and mine revved to 3k for a few seconds, I also left it outside before I parked in the garage for the night. Usually when it's warm, it doesn't go over 2k. So I think we can conclude the colder the weather, the harder the engine starts up. I've also noticed the steamy smoke, especially in cold mornings, it looks kinda cool 
Btw, you worry too much man.
Btw, you worry too much man.
02-18-2006 | 03:22 PM
#6
Black and B-E-A-UTIFUL!
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Wisconsin
I have also noticed, that the colder the car is at start-up, the higher the initial rpms are...so I wouldn't be too concerned.
A little off topic...does anyone in this area (Midwest) know how easy it is to get the battery/starter TSB? My car started OK with the current cold condtitions, but not perfect. Just wondering if it's worth my time to take it to the dealer or will they just start it up and say, "seems fine to us...go home."
A little off topic...does anyone in this area (Midwest) know how easy it is to get the battery/starter TSB? My car started OK with the current cold condtitions, but not perfect. Just wondering if it's worth my time to take it to the dealer or will they just start it up and say, "seems fine to us...go home."
02-18-2006 | 03:28 PM
#7
XYELLR8
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 429
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From: Maple Grove, Minnesota
tha'ts perfectly normal. every car in extreme cold weather does that.
my accord usually cold starts around 2.5K.. the other night (minnesotan here) it started up at 3.5K
my Rx-8 did the same thing. it started up at around 4K and slowly went down to normal idle. dont sweat it. just dont drive it too soon after a cold start like that.
my accord usually cold starts around 2.5K.. the other night (minnesotan here) it started up at 3.5K
my Rx-8 did the same thing. it started up at around 4K and slowly went down to normal idle. dont sweat it. just dont drive it too soon after a cold start like that.
02-18-2006 | 04:09 PM
#8
The burninator
Joined: Aug 2005
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Yeah, it was -15 when I started my car today and it sounded horrible, like my engine was choking.
It was a growlling, rumbling noise and the RPM's were at 2.5k. Did sound fine after warming up, didn't worry too much about it. Glad I wasn't the only one.
It was a growlling, rumbling noise and the RPM's were at 2.5k. Did sound fine after warming up, didn't worry too much about it. Glad I wasn't the only one.
02-18-2006 | 04:48 PM
#9
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From: Fayetteville, PA
Originally Posted by wisconsinben
I have also noticed, that the colder the car is at start-up, the higher the initial rpms are...so I wouldn't be too concerned.
A little off topic...does anyone in this area (Midwest) know how easy it is to get the battery/starter TSB? My car started OK with the current cold condtitions, but not perfect. Just wondering if it's worth my time to take it to the dealer or will they just start it up and say, "seems fine to us...go home."
A little off topic...does anyone in this area (Midwest) know how easy it is to get the battery/starter TSB? My car started OK with the current cold condtitions, but not perfect. Just wondering if it's worth my time to take it to the dealer or will they just start it up and say, "seems fine to us...go home."
If I lived in Wisconsin I wouldn't wait for a no-start event to ask for the service. I grew up in Michigan and I know how the REALLY cold temps affect the starting ability of a car.
Last edited by Go48; 02-18-2006 at 04:52 PM.
02-18-2006 | 07:50 PM
#10
Conedodger
Joined: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by Raptor75
Well, in Chicago last night it dropped to 5 below last night and when I came out this morning it was just above zero. I started up the RX, which turned over pretty quick despite the cold, but then it got funky. As soon as the car started it jump immediately to 4K and blow a lot of steam and smoke out the back. I tweaked the accelerator and it dropped down to 2k after a several seconds it dropped down to normal cold start operations.
Is this normal for very cold starts?
Is this normal for very cold starts?
02-18-2006 | 08:37 PM
#11
RX-8 dreamer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 557
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From: Bellevue, WA & Portland, OR
I haven't noticed my car starting up that high in rpms (been around freezing temperatures here lately) but I did notice that my engine has a rattle or grumble going after going into gear on a cold start. It goes away after I rev up to 3k and the engine warms up a little. Dunno if you guys run into this, not sure if it's normal.
02-19-2006 | 10:19 AM
#12
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From: Milwaukee Wi.
The 1980s 12a rotary used to inject a small amount of antifreeze into the carbs to assist starting in subzero temps. This was done by depressing the gas pedal down to the foor then half way up and crank it. Maybe the renesis still does this automatically below -5. It worked for the 12a. Mine always started.
02-19-2006 | 10:40 AM
#13
I don't buy Kool-Aid
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Vegas Baby!
Originally Posted by Raptor75
Well, in Chicago last night it dropped to 5 below last night and when I came out this morning it was just above zero. I started up the RX, which turned over pretty quick despite the cold, but then it got funky. As soon as the car started it jump immediately to 4K and blow a lot of steam and smoke out the back. I tweaked the accelerator and it dropped down to 2k after a several seconds it dropped down to normal cold start operations.
Is this normal for very cold starts?
Is this normal for very cold starts?
02-20-2006 | 10:48 AM
#17
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From: Dayton, OH
Despite the revs and such, here's something that I perhaps I thought all rotary heads know: No matter how warm outside it is, or cold for that matter, let the car warm up for about ten minutes before you take it out. Wait a bit longer if you got a manual. A friend of mine has been working on these engines for well over a decade and that was the first thing out of his mouth.
02-20-2006 | 12:04 PM
#18
1.3L is enough 4 anybody
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 249
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Same thing happened to me last year... it's normal.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/4250-rpm-idle-startup-bitter-cold-50212/
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/4250-rpm-idle-startup-bitter-cold-50212/
02-20-2006 | 05:11 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by AintStock
Despite the revs and such, here's something that I perhaps I thought all rotary heads know: No matter how warm outside it is, or cold for that matter, let the car warm up for about ten minutes before you take it out. Wait a bit longer if you got a manual. A friend of mine has been working on these engines for well over a decade and that was the first thing out of his mouth.
02-20-2006 | 06:51 PM
#21
pwn*
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Dallas, TX
I let mine warm up for about 1 minute tops. In other words, the time it takes me to put my belt on, check my mirrors, and find something decent on the radio.
I go by djsetos philosophy.
I go by djsetos philosophy.
The best way to warm up your car is to drive it, but keep it below 4-5K until the car warms up
02-20-2006 | 08:49 PM
#22
Insanely Yellow
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,093
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From: Buffalo Grove IL
Originally Posted by Raptor75
Well, in Chicago last night it dropped to 5 below last night and when I came out this morning it was just above zero. I started up the RX, which turned over pretty quick despite the cold, but then it got funky. As soon as the car started it jump immediately to 4K and blow a lot of steam and smoke out the back. I tweaked the accelerator and it dropped down to 2k after a several seconds it dropped down to normal cold start operations.
Is this normal for very cold starts?
Is this normal for very cold starts?
I think what you saw was totally normal.
02-20-2006 | 10:32 PM
#23
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From: Buddhist Monastery, High Himalaya Mtns. of Tibet
Originally Posted by StewC625
I parked mine outside on Friday night here in the Chicago area (out in western burbs at a hotel) and it got to 9 BELOW zero out there. Yup, mine jumped to 4500 RPM with lots of tailpipe vapor (in fact you could smell the unburned gas) for about 30 second, then dropped to 2.5K for another minute, then to 1500 .. that's when I drove off.
I think what you saw was totally normal.
I think what you saw was totally normal.
02-20-2006 | 10:42 PM
#24
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From: DFW, TX
Originally Posted by AintStock
Despite the revs and such, here's something that I perhaps I thought all rotary heads know: No matter how warm outside it is, or cold for that matter, let the car warm up for about ten minutes before you take it out. Wait a bit longer if you got a manual. A friend of mine has been working on these engines for well over a decade and that was the first thing out of his mouth.
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