Two days ago my car didn't want to start, last time i drove it was on the 24th, Christmas eve, two days after that i try to start it and it doesn't. I have done my research and I have been to the mechanic and they changed the spark plugs and still doesn't start, he did the compression test and He told me the engine is done. I recorded a video so that I can get better help from any experts over here. It cranks, tries to start, it spins, but nothing. Can I get any advise, help. and maybe where I can get an engine replacement from...? The car has 140k miles and 2004.

watch the video clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDBWs-vVsv8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b20llhxHg64

 

With such mileage it is not a surprise the engine has lost compression, but before assuming this more info is required.

Do you have the actual results of the compression test? Can you post them here? Was the car driving ok before the 24th? Did you experience hard start problems (especially when hot)? How about power loss, missing coolant, high oil consumption, smoke or weird smell from the exhaust? Do you have any idea of your cat condition (maybe clogged)? Sounds to me at least that battery and starter are ok, but have you checked them out? Are there any CELs?

After all these attempts starting the car, engine is more than likely flooded. Have you tried to deflood the engine?

For a replacement engine look at Mazmart. They go for $3350 shipped with some goodies on it (flywheel, re-medy water pump, re-medy thermostat, re-medy oil pressure mod, new hoses and lines). Take a look here:https://www.rx8club.com/mazmart-88/r...104255/page16/

You could also rebuild your engine in a reputable rotary shop.

 

I've had hard start issues most of the time, specially starting it in the morning. I also had power loss, NO oil or coolant problems, no smoke or smell. The exhaust is an AP exhaust with stock cat. engine light turns on sometimes but that's cause of the exhaust since I put it on. I have tried the deflooding steps and nothing. And the mechanic didnt give me no results from the compression test, he just said it has low compression, more than likely he didnt do it cause he didnt charge me, he only charged me for the "labor". I will try to check and deflood it again...thanks!

 

What is the CEL you have? Putting a catback exhaust does not throw a cell. Hard start problems (especially when hot) and power loss could be strong indicators of low compression. How old are your coils and wires?

 

coils and wires are about a year old maybe a bit more, did a tune up when it had 70k miles. CEL i think it was from one of the oxygen sensors...a P207 code i think, but last time I had it check for that, it didnt show no codes at all, so i ignored that.

 

I'm going to agree with Tza .. and go with it's flooded. (Hope those coils are still good too)

The car isn't turning over very quickly so you either have a nearly drained/dead battery and perhaps the old style starter.
I strongly recommend spending the 200+ dollars to get the new style starter. It`s a huge improvement.

Check the Engine code again because I can't find a P0207
https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...n-guide-26291/

You're wise not to believe your mechanic did a compression test.
Don't believe anything even from a dealer without written results. Then post them here.

The deflood on an RX8 can be a super Pain In The ***!

Best way is to get someone to pull start you.

If that's not an option here's what you need to do on a stubborn flooded engine.

You're going to a need a battery charger, and likely a spare battery fully charged.
Steps:
1) Fully charge car battery
2) Replace old slow style starter motor with upgraded starter motor. (huge difference in crank speed)
3) Remove spark plugs
4) Disconnect ESS this prevents the plugs firing. (this might produce a CEL P0335 Eccentric shaft position sensor circuit problem ON 1 CCM ´
(See DTC P0335 )). I guess you don`t really need to do this but there is going to be a lot of gasoline vapour. I do it for safety.
5) Unplug fuel pump fuse. Stops fuel
6) Remove all the spark plugs
7) Dry and clean around all the spark plug holes. We are doing this to give us an indicator of when the engine has evacuated all the fuel.
8) Depress fuel peddle to the floor
9) Crank engine for 5-7 seconds. Make sure not to over heat the starter and allow it to cool for a minute between cranking cycles
10) Inspect spark plug holes. They will likely be covered in moisture. Dry and clean.
11) Repeat this cranking procedure 10-12 times or until not vapour or moisture is noticed during cranking. Make sure to keep the battery charged up or switch to your spare.

12) Put everything back together. Fully charge battery.
13) Start engine, have fun

edit: oh on the Oxygen sensor topic. You need to make sure about this, as there are two oxygen sensors on the RX8.
Front O2 sensor is a wide band used to control the AFR during Closed Loop operations. If this a bad (which it could be on a high mile vehicle) it will cause poor performance to say the least.
Rear O2 sensor is a narrow band used to measure you catalytic efficiency. If this one is bad it means your catalytic is shot. Which is not good at all. The Rear O2 sensors have been known to need replacing but typically it is actually a bad catalytic.

 

mine starts now after i changed the plugs....
if not then it probably ur engine lost its compression

 

Hi all, I have a similar problem. I was getting on the highway last night ant the car nosed over and lost power. I pulled over to the shoulder and it died. After multiple attempts to restart with starter only I ended up having to roll down a hill using the starter and popping the clutch to get it to fire. Drove in second gear very slow until I could get of the highway and definitely was running on one rotor. Hooked up a compression gauge to only the leading plug holes and got nothing on the front and 70 psi on the back. Car is an 04 I don't know it history but has a greddy Turbo kit,midpipe and had no exhaust from cat back (only for that night/ waiting for new system to arrive. Also doesn't have piggy back (bought this way) I assume car had previous tune and tuner was kept. Do I need a new motor or is cheaper to rebuild ? Ps. Oil pressure gauge still read good oil pressure.

 

I`m not quite sure how this is a similar issue.

You`ve actually confirmed you have no compression in the front...
I say you answered your own question... time from a new renny

The OP doesn`t know ...

 

So your saying it's cheaper to replace then rebuild?

 

That's the route I went. Replacement. I found an 06 Motor with 29k for 1400 plus shipping. The LIM was cracked, but I had another one from the old motor so it wasn't a big deal..

If you're going to replace though, I wouldn't mess with a used motor that had over 50 or 60k on it.
You'd be better off to just get another motor.

 

ive got an rx8 with 47000 pn clock on an o4 plate it dont start very well if at all whrn hot it it takes afew seconds to start when cold diagnosis say it has a cat problem is this wots wrong with the starting prob thanks

 

SEARCH. That has been answered many times over. And if you do have a legit reason to post, after searching, don't post on an old thread. Start a new one. But search first, always.

use google to search the site like this:

site:rx8club.com hard start