Hey guys,

I really need your help. Ive taken my Rex in one too many times to the dealership for them to not find anything wrong, re-do things theyve already done and most recently, give it back to me with more problems than I took it there with. It was having issues starting--said it was flooding of course unflooded it and replaced the plugs and wires. $700 laters, I get it back, drive to get gas, get in, and it wont start. Ever since then, it wont start right away when I just shut it off. I called them and they said it was working when they gave it back to me and refused to look at it unless I paid for them to. So I obviously wasn't going back there. Everywhere else I've asked around knows it a rotary and wont even touch it. I replaced the battery (knowing that wasnt the issue but being hopeful) and it still does it. Jumping the battery does help it restart sometimes. I runs like a champ and starts perfectly fine if it sits for a while. I've read some threads on here about possible coil and bad engine starter ( I Have an 04). Its no longer under warranty and I refuse to take it back to the dealership again so they can feed me more bs. I need some advice. Is this a production problem or a recall that I could get taken care of without it coming out of my pocket. Please! I need help!!

 

I'm assuming you know to never turn off the engine if it's cold. You have to let it warm up first (the temp gauge has to move to the middle of the gauge before turning it off). So are you sure your engine was actually hot? How long was the engine running between picking it up at the dealer and stopping for gas? If it was only a couple of minutes, you might have flooded it again.

But let's assume your engine was warm. If you have an '04, there are a few things you should do right away:

1) Mazda came out with a major ECU reprogramming in '05 for all cars built up until then. Take yours to a Mazda dealer (a different one, even if you have to drive an hour to get there) and find out if your car had this done. If not, have them do it.

2) After the first year, Mazda started using a stronger starter motor (and bigger battery) to make flooding unlikely:

On 2004 and early 2005 models, the starter was pretty weak. Mid 2005, Mazda upgraded the starter that they use, and it works pretty well, and lasts quite a while. The 2004 and some 2005 starter upgrades WERE free, but the owner had to do something about it with the dealer. It was NOT a recall. So if you have a 2004 or 2005, it is entirely possible that you still have the original, and very weak, starter. It is prone to failure (too much load for the design), and can exhibit the same problems as a low compression engine does when you have trouble starting. Being as it is cheaper than an engine replacement ($250-$400), if you have hard start or long crank times, get the starter checked first.

That's from the new owner sticky; if you haven't read it, read it now:
https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/new-potential-owners-start-here-202454/

Finally, I really would find another Mazda dealer. You won't have to go there often, but when you do need a rotary mechanic, it's good to have a Mazda service dept. you can go more or less trust. (I live in NYC and happily travel 45 minutes to get to the good Mazda dealership in this area - even tough there are a couple of not-so-good ones close by.)

Good luck.

 

I'd just be saying what New Yorker said. Good luck, hope you find a non-shitty dealer.

 

Was it made before April 2003 or have more than 100K miles on it? Because if it isn't then the 8 year or 100K warranty still applies to the engine. As you may have read, warm start problem can also be caused by lost compression and engine replacement is needed to fix that.

But yeah, first thing is to find another dealer.

 

^ ...if not, welcome to the new engine club!

 

Trouble with hot starts can be compression issues. Could be a starter as well, if it's the old one.

Have you done any of your own work on the car? Just curious. You could try Seafoaming. Basically the side seals get gummed up by carbon, and you get reduced compression. Seafoam gets in all the seals, and breaks up all the gunk. It can help you get compression back.

 

--I'm assuming you know to never turn off the engine if it's cold. You have to let it warm up first (the temp gauge has to move to the middle of the gauge before turning it off). So are you sure your engine was actually hot? How long was the engine running between picking it up at the dealer and stopping for gas? If it was only a couple of minutes, you might have flooded it again.

No. I learned my lesson the first time two years ago when I bought it to always let it run before taking it anywhere. And it was about a half hour drive to get gas so plenty of time for it to warm up. The longer the trip the more trouble it has restarting.

1) Mazda came out with a major ECU reprogramming in '05 for all cars built up until then. Take yours to a Mazda dealer (a different one, even if you have to drive an hour to get there) and find out if your car had this done. If not, have them do it.

the ECU Programming--I havent had this done yet. But will look into it.

When I first got my car and it flooded they replaced the battery with a bigger/stronger one. But I havent heard anything about a starter motor.

 

I was told by a friend that a compression test would be a good idea. But since my car is no longer under warranty and is just over 100K im afraid the outlook it bleak and if it does fail the costs will be on me.

 

The answers have been posted, but to reiterate:

First thing to do is to try to clean the carbon out of the engine. Seafoam or Mazda Zoom-Zoom cleaners are commonly used. Instructions are posted.

If you don't think you are up for it, you should post in your regional forum and see if anyone can do it for you. It is easy, cheap, and only takes an hour or two.

If that doesn't help, then you should get a compression test. That will tell you the condition of the engine.

If the engine's compression is still okay, you can try replacing the starter motor and the ignition coils.

You can check for yourself if your engine computer has been updated. Turn the key to the on position (don't start the car) then tap the brake pedal 20 times within 8 seconds. The oil pressure gauge should then sweep from low to high and back again. If it doesn't then you need to go to a dealer and have them do a recall called Mazda Special Program 16. They should do it for free, warranty or not. If they refuse, you need to call Mazda North America Operations.

 

I havent done any work on it personally. But I put a new exhaust on it when i got it 2 years ago and an short ram intake about a year and a half ago.

As for the Zoom Zoom..Ive had that done about 4 times since I've had it. The dealer did it the last time I took it in--and a received it back with this issue. They said they were having trouble to get it cleaned out that time and had to use a couple bottles of it. Thats why I think it may be connected to something they did with it.

I've tried pretty much everything. Taken care of it like a baby since the day I bought it. So I think my best option is to do a compression test. Have any of you done one so I know what to expect or questions to ask?

 

New Yorker offers good advice. My 04 has 130K was running great but developed the hot start problem it would take 20 minutes or more cooling before it would start. I had replaced plugs and coils recently. I had the original starter, got a rebuilt upgraded starter through NAPA (confirmed the Mitsubishi part number). No more problems, starts within 2-3 seconds even when hot and definitely spins over a lot faster.