I recently experienced the dreaded no start (flooded) problem. After having the car towed to the dealer, they sent for new plugs from Mazda. It's my understanding that these new plugs are slotted to reduce the tendency to flood. Has anyone else had this "fix" done to their car?

 

I had this proble with my previous gen rx-7s. I caried an extra set of plugs and a socket wrench to change them out. That worked every time.

 

does this mean one has to have their 8 flood before the new plugs are installed? i hope not. they should be installed regardless.

 

I've noticed several posts stating that new plugs were installed as part of the flooding fix. The need for new plugs confuses me - perhaps this "slotted plug" explanation makes sense. If several Mazda service departments are swapping plugs there must be a service bulletin somewhere out there authorizing the modification. I wonder if newer RX-8s are getting alternative plugs. I understand and follow the warm-up procedure and I haven't flooded my car (yet) but unfortunately I'm not the only driver.

In my mind there is absolutely nothing worse than being stranded by a car. If specialized plugs do make a difference, I'll be pretty PO'd at Mazda if I have to get stranded somewhere in the middle of the night before I qualify for this upgrade. This is my first Mazda. I absolutely love this car but being stranded by a known problem with a secret fix would definitely affect future buying decisions.

Does anyone who has had new plugs installed know the part number for the replacement plugs?

 

I don't know the part number, but when I went to a dealer to pick up some other parts, I got to talking with the parts guy, and he told me that they were getting in a replacement set of plugs to solve the flooding problem. He told me that the retail price of the plug kit was $115 and that the plugs looked really funky. That was about a month ago. Other than that, I know nothing.

 

These plugs were supposedly developed specifically for the rotary engine in the RX-8. However they have been available through the aftermarket for a number of years but at a very high price. They are basically the RX-7 plugs with a ground strap. Some swear by them, others swear at them. Their benefit is debatable.

I do not believe a hotter leading plug is the fix for flooding issues. This may help if they fired first at startup but they don't. The trailings do. It sounds like a cheap excuse to me.

 

Is there an NGK part number for these plugs?

The stock plugs are RE9B-T for the trailing and RE7A-L for the leading. Sounds like special part numbers to me.
There is an alternate leading plug - RE6A-L - that is one heat range hotter.

Currently, NGK does not have a part number for the RX-8 on their WEB site at all.

 

holy crap $115 for 4 dang spark plugs what's with that? are they guranteed to make your car do 200 mph or something LOL i dont think i have ever paid more than $30 for plugs,

 

I'm wondering what "slotted" means, and how that helps with flooding? I'd be interested in a picture of the new plug.

 

Maybe they are like the splifire plugs? Slotted?

 

It sounds like these are a new type of plug rather than the ones mentioned in the RX8 workshop manual (see this thread). Can anyone confirm whether the new plugs are NGKs?

 

I know this is real late but I too have encountered a flooding issue an have tried to get the part numbers from our parts distributor for NGK.

This is what we were told from their two different catalogues.

2004 RX8 - L=RE7AL, T=RE9BT

2006 RX8 - L=RE7CL, T=RE9BT

So the difference being the "A" and the "C". We are pulling my stock plugs to see what the difference for this letter might mean. They indicated it meant different thread depth for the plug. hmmmmm weird. So we're gonna compare. I'll update you soon.

BUT OMG IF I KNEW THESE PLUGS FOULED SO MUCH AND WERE SO EXPENSIVE I WOULD HAVE JUST STUCK WITH A FD3S. lolz.

 

It happened to me last week, I started my car reversed it to get my bike out of the garage and turned it off. I had it towed to the dealer and they changed the plugs but I am not sure if they used the new plugs or not. I just might go up there and make sure if they did or not.

 

I have 21K on my '04 and have not had my plugs checked/changed yet. Was interested in whether anyone has recently (Nov/Dec 05 onwards) gone to a newer non-OEM plug...Denso's IRL01-27/31 and IRT01-31/34, for example? If so, any feedback (or can anyone refer me to a prior thread I may have missed)? Thanks

 

I have... I've gone to NGK Racing competition series...

The plugs are for the SE3P.

Part number is
R7440A-9L
R7440B-10T

These are quite cold plugs which are not an issue to me, and my car has not flooded...