Its minus 5 degrees and I haven't driven it for 2 days. Starting suggestions.
12-22-2008, 10:36 AM
#1
Drop it into 3rd
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Its minus 5 degrees and I haven't driven it for 2 days. Starting suggestions.
Title says it all. I haven't driven my RX-8 for two days and it's been sitting out there in below zero temperatures.
My family's BMW 325i didn't start today, so there is a very good chance my RX-8 won't start either.
I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to start it?
I thought about doing all of the normal tricks for piston engines but than it hit me that those might not only not work for a rotary but for some reason do damage.
So, how do I start it?
My family's BMW 325i didn't start today, so there is a very good chance my RX-8 won't start either.
I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to start it?
I thought about doing all of the normal tricks for piston engines but than it hit me that those might not only not work for a rotary but for some reason do damage.
So, how do I start it?
12-22-2008, 10:51 AM
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About the only thing you could do if your really scared is the first time you start push the gas pedal in all the way (cuts all gas) and crank it for a few seconds. Then try starting it normally... of course, if you have a weak battery this procedure may be enough to kill it
it was +5 deg F here this morning and my car started just fine after sitting for a few days
it was +5 deg F here this morning and my car started just fine after sitting for a few days
12-22-2008, 10:52 AM
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with the wind chill at -4
Ken
12-22-2008, 10:57 AM
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it was single digits but was thinking he had put temp with wind chill. looking now at chicago on weather.com for the last few days looks like that was the actual temp with wind chill of -20. and i was complaining it was cold here....
12-22-2008, 11:01 AM
#8
It all depends on the condition (charge capacity) of your battery. It should start fine after only a couple/few days.
Mine sits far longer, outdoors (covered) in Winter semi-hibernation, so I have a Battery Tender trickle charger on it all the time.
Mine sits far longer, outdoors (covered) in Winter semi-hibernation, so I have a Battery Tender trickle charger on it all the time.
12-22-2008, 12:20 PM
#11
-5? I got you beat! Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Wind chill was -30. Ouch. My car decided not to start Sunday morning after sitting out at work saturday night. It was actually my fault, because I moved it from one spot to another without letting it first warm up, then revving it up to shut it down. I left it with a super rich mixture and it refused to start. I cranked till my battery died, cranked some more on jumper cables, then moved it into a bay (at the firehouse I work at) where I cranked it for another 10-15 minutes. I finally got the mixture cleared out enough to start, but man was she pissed. I aniticipate the need for a new starter sooner than I expected! After that little debocle, she's been doing great as long as I do my normal rev up before shutting her down. You should be cool as long as you didn't do what I did.
Wind chill was -30. Ouch. My car decided not to start Sunday morning after sitting out at work saturday night. It was actually my fault, because I moved it from one spot to another without letting it first warm up, then revving it up to shut it down. I left it with a super rich mixture and it refused to start. I cranked till my battery died, cranked some more on jumper cables, then moved it into a bay (at the firehouse I work at) where I cranked it for another 10-15 minutes. I finally got the mixture cleared out enough to start, but man was she pissed. I aniticipate the need for a new starter sooner than I expected! After that little debocle, she's been doing great as long as I do my normal rev up before shutting her down. You should be cool as long as you didn't do what I did.
12-22-2008, 12:53 PM
#12
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-5? I got you beat! Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Wind chill was -30. Ouch. My car decided not to start Sunday morning after sitting out at work saturday night. It was actually my fault, because I moved it from one spot to another without letting it first warm up, then revving it up to shut it down. I left it with a super rich mixture and it refused to start. I cranked till my battery died, cranked some more on jumper cables, then moved it into a bay (at the firehouse I work at) where I cranked it for another 10-15 minutes. I finally got the mixture cleared out enough to start, but man was she pissed. I aniticipate the need for a new starter sooner than I expected! After that little debocle, she's been doing great as long as I do my normal rev up before shutting her down. You should be cool as long as you didn't do what I did.
Wind chill was -30. Ouch. My car decided not to start Sunday morning after sitting out at work saturday night. It was actually my fault, because I moved it from one spot to another without letting it first warm up, then revving it up to shut it down. I left it with a super rich mixture and it refused to start. I cranked till my battery died, cranked some more on jumper cables, then moved it into a bay (at the firehouse I work at) where I cranked it for another 10-15 minutes. I finally got the mixture cleared out enough to start, but man was she pissed. I aniticipate the need for a new starter sooner than I expected! After that little debocle, she's been doing great as long as I do my normal rev up before shutting her down. You should be cool as long as you didn't do what I did.
What year do you have? If it's an '04, have the upgraded starter and battery been installed?
12-22-2008, 12:58 PM
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Vtak just kicked in yo!!
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Just pull up another car and hook it up to jumper cables. I do this everytime I pull my 8 outta storage regardless of whether its dead or not. Mines goes unstarted for 3-5 weeks a time in this cold weather. Never had a problem over these past 3 years.
12-22-2008, 01:25 PM
#14
Yes...it's an '04, and yes I failed to let it warm up or rev it before shutting it down. It wasn't my most shining moment and I learned a very valuable lesson. I have no idea about the starter or battery. I'm working on getting the dealer to print out the service record for the car, as I'm not the original owner. My shop seems reluctant to perform ANY work on the rotary at all. It's kind of concerning.
12-22-2008, 02:33 PM
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Yes...it's an '04, and yes I failed to let it warm up or rev it before shutting it down. It wasn't my most shining moment and I learned a very valuable lesson. I have no idea about the starter or battery. I'm working on getting the dealer to print out the service record for the car, as I'm not the original owner. My shop seems reluctant to perform ANY work on the rotary at all. It's kind of concerning.
12-22-2008, 02:39 PM
#17
definitely get the dealer to look at it for the "crank no start" TSB. if it's flooded they should de-flood, change the plugs, and if memory serves me correctly (which it doesn't always), they should change the starter and battery. it was extended to the 8 yr/100k mile warranty.
12-22-2008, 02:45 PM
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http://www.finishlineperformance.com...5-08-1883f.pdf
12-22-2008, 03:00 PM
#19
Grand Chancellor
My 8 has not been started for the past week and a half. It's been subzero temp too. No issues. Of course it sleeps in an insulated dry walled garage. 
12-22-2008, 03:58 PM
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I had same problem starting my car 2 weeks ago. it stayed outside for 2 days.
Couldnt start the engine. Cranked it for5 to 8 sec each time.
had to wait 1m before each attempt and had to press the gas pedal and it worked. Im not sure if my battery is weak : it's the stock battery (04) but dealer tested it 1month ago and said it was alright.
I know i need to replace my started. its the original model.
And no the starter is not covered by the warranty.
Turn the key, the engine will start. Here it's -40C and it still start from the 1st try (though it goes on a 1.5K - 4K rev cycle for a few minutes first, then idles at 2K)
Couldnt start the engine. Cranked it for5 to 8 sec each time.
had to wait 1m before each attempt and had to press the gas pedal and it worked. Im not sure if my battery is weak : it's the stock battery (04) but dealer tested it 1month ago and said it was alright.
I know i need to replace my started. its the original model.
And no the starter is not covered by the warranty.
Turn the key, the engine will start. Here it's -40C and it still start from the 1st try (though it goes on a 1.5K - 4K rev cycle for a few minutes first, then idles at 2K)
12-27-2008, 04:04 PM
#24
definitely get the dealer to look at it for the "crank no start" TSB. if it's flooded they should de-flood, change the plugs, and if memory serves me correctly (which it doesn't always), they should change the starter and battery. it was extended to the 8 yr/100k mile warranty.
