Hello folks! I am new to posting on the forum, but used this as a resource before I bought my RX8.

I HAVE MY FIRST ISSUE!

2004 RX 8 with 47,000 miles on it. I bought it this past spring, '08 with 41,000 on it. It has been running like a champ up until Monday morning. Got in the car to drive to work and it would not start. It would turn over, but would not fire enough to start.

I called the Mazda dealer and they said to bring it in (have it towed in). I don't have to pay for towing due to my insurance, but I will have to pay the $100 (check engine fee), but don't know if there is something I can do or change first before using the dealership.

Is it just my plugs?

It was in my driveway because I mowed the grass on Friday and I remember getting in and just pulling it in then shutting it off (usually I push it in after I put the lawnmower back in the garage). I hope that didn't cause the problem with the dreaded flooding I have read about.

Thoughts? Experiences? Just take it to the shop and let them deal with it and eat the money or try finding the problem myself? I AM NO MECHANIC!

 

Dude I Got An 04 And Have Only 42,ooo Miles

Yeah Its Def Ur Plugs Or Ur Battery.....

 

I am leaning towards the plugs at this point. The battery seems fine, it is cranking like a mother and trying to start, but like I said, it is like it has no fire in it.

OK, since I am really not mechanically inclined....how many plugs are there, what plugs should I buy and how hard are they to change in the car (any special tool other than the fitting for the spark plug?) Is this all something I can get from autozone?

Would they know how and what to gap them at?

 

flooded

 

Sounds like it's flooded. Couldn't hurt to try the de-flood procedure discussed elsewhere on this forum before you go through the hassle of taking it to the dealership.

I would say it's definitely flooded if the engine was cold when you started it and turned it off. It's kind of a gamble to turn off the car after just moving it unless it's idling around 1k.

 

first, check and make sure you have spark. next, you can pull one or more of the plugs to check for gas soaking, denoting flooding. a weak battery can cause the engine to flood but as long as the engine was spinning at a normal rate, your battery may be fine.

 

I called my brother and we are going to pull start it and see if that works before I call the dealer to have it towed.

I have read that this works like a charm.

I think I still may change my spark plugs so if anyone can help direct me on where these are located and gapping, etc... (and what kind of plugs to get), I would appreciate it!

 

make sure u know how to pull start it.

its flooded.

 

Well, I looked underneath the car...looks like only one option and that is there are holes close to the wheels (about a foot) and I will form a triangle with the tow strap and away we go. I figure start it in second gear.....

Any other suggestions?

 

Well, after reading advice out here, I decided to just try an pull start it! Worked like a fricking charm! Eased out the clutch in 2nd gear, got pulled about 100 yards....told the driver to start (didn't even know it was running). Took it for about a 10 minute spin, came back, shut it off, the started it right back up.

It was flooded for sure! Easy fix! Tow rope in my trunk in case it ever happens again, although I think a good hill would do the same trick!

 

Never, ever shut this car off cold. Always let it get to almost normal operating temperature before shutting it down. If you have to move it for any reason.....like backing it out of the garage or moving to the otrher side of the driveway, then take it for a short spin at least around the block. I don't do the 3000rpm trick, I just don't ever shut it off that soon.

 

Well, I think I will just push it in and out like I was doing before. The car is so light, it takes nothing to push it around.

On a side note, it was much more fun driving to work again today! The avalanche is now resting safe again in the confines of my garage and the RX8 is passing cars like they are standing still once again!

 

thats great to hear!! no body damage from pull starting i assume. when you're out of options you do what works.

 

im glad it worked out for you. im also glad your not calling the car a POS or anything becaues it flooded on you. this car has gotten such a bad rep beacuse of this exact reason. everyone at work (a mazda dealer) looked at my like i was crazy when i rolled in in my RX8. "youre gonna be curising and swearing when it doesnt start once it gets cold out". seriously, now that they have the updated starter and the updated software, the only real cause for the flooding is people shutting it off cold, and most owners know this and do it anyways, and still complain if it floods. give me a break. anyways, thats my rant. glad you got the beast purring on your own. also glad to know that if i ever flood my car(and its my fault of course) a simple pullstart will do the trick.

Greg

 

Also. there is a tow hook location in the front of your car at the top of the grill. It's a square piece of plastic that pulls off. The tow hook is in the trunk and screws in to the hole behind the plastic grill piece.

 

CAREFUL!!!!

Shaunv is right about the location of the hook / hole. However, it is NOT A TOW HOOK, it is a tie-down bolt. (there is also one at the back bumper).

PLEASE don't anyone try to un-stuck (if that's a word, lol) your car from snow/mud/sand by pulling on this hook. IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH / or designed for this purpose.

Shaun, sorry for mildly crapping - my intent is only to inform

 

Correct, I read that in the manual when trying to find the best place to hook it up to pull start it.

the way I did it tore nothing up and it worked like a charm.

 

Thred renamed to be a little more descriptive than the (ever popular) "Oh No!!!!"


S

 

It is a marketing technique...looking for answers and sometimes titles help! Sorry super moderator

 

No problem. Good to know. I didn't realize it was not strong enough to tow with.

 

Can someone help me please. My engine flooded the same way his did. I started it to move into the garage then quickly shut it off. Next day heading to school engine wont fire. Tried the flood procedure didnt work so went ahead and did a pull. Now im not sure if its in my head but the car seems abit slower...

Question is, If i left my car with a flooded engine for a day is that bad for my sparkplugs?
2nd question if I keep driving it with faughty plugs is it bad for the car or will it cure the plugs?