Bought a 2009 grand touring with "manumatic" transmission. 60k miles but starter is out. Need a replacement (preferably upgrade replacement) anyone got suggestion? I'm finding it hard to come across them.

 

Welcome to the club,

IF yours is a Series II, then there Technically there is no Upgraded or Updated Starter,
Just the original OEM Mazda Part Number for Manual Trans is N3R3-18-400
List your FULL VIN and I can double check...the JM1FE1032xxxxxxxx

Also just make sure your 12V Battery is OK too..

 

I'm new to this so I don't know how this works so don't yell at me, but anyways i have a 2005 Shinka and its running kinda rough as like when idle it shakes but when i rev it above 1k RPM it stops I don't know if that's normal or whatever but anyways i'm having a problem when my car idles for a little while smoke starts to come out where the coolant reservoir is located and I don't know what the problem is I was thinking It could be the water pump went bad or the thermostat went bad! thank you for any help givin!

 

I'm new to this so I don't know how this works so don't yell at me, but anyways i have a 2005 Shinka and its running kinda rough as like when idle it shakes but when i rev it above 1k RPM it stops I don't know if that's normal or whatever but anyways i'm having a problem when my car idles for a little while smoke starts to come out where the coolant reservoir is located and I don't know what the problem is I was thinking It could be the water pump went bad or the thermostat went bad!

 

Just found RR strut leak.

 

The guy said manumatic, which means automatic w/paddle shifters.

AT and MT starters are different so they may have different part numbers. The AT starter has a plate on the side while the MT one doesn't.

And yeah, S2 starters are about as good as the starter gets for the RX-8. A working one with good battery should crank at 300~320 RPM.

Next time, just say automatic to avoid confusion. It has 2 pedals and therefore an automatic, end of story.

And like ASH8 said, check the battery first. Those are more likely to fail after a few years.

 

Sorry for the confusion. I'm new to the 8 and everything. I replaced the starter this past weekend. I can't get it started at all. Ive looked all over the forum and I keep finding that its flooded. Or the spark plugs. But I'm just not sure. I'm,noy a mechanic by no means though I would like to learn for the simple fact I love this car. Ive had it a short time,but owned many different vehicles and my 8 is by far my favorite. But as I said I'm just not sure what to do next. I want to do it myself though i know that. Learn by doing and all. But I had a diagnostic done. Nothing comes up. So...yeah I just dont know

 

OK, assuming the starter is good, the engine spins over, but doesn't 'fire up'......

1. Get a boost from another car - you'll be cranking aplenty, and don't need to flatten the battery.
2. Give it a try - if it starts, you have a bad connection at the battery terminals, the easiest fix.
3. Time to take out the plugs, all 4.
4. Crank the engine, plugs out, about ten seconds,with foot to the floor on the gas pedal (this shuts off the injectors and clears the chambers.)
5. Burn the plug tips off with a propane torch. This clears any gas/oil/carbon from the electrodes. Reinstall.
6. Now you are ready for a fresh, clean start. While still connected to the boost car, crank without touching the gas pedal.....
7. If the car doesn't start now, you have a spark (fuse) problem or a fuel pump problem. To isolate which, spray a good shot of
ether starter fluid into the air filter - if you crank and get a few coughs and revs then a stop, it's fuel. If it doesn't fire at all, it's spark.

Good on you for trying to fix it yourself - some people wouldn't even try.

S

 

Just got my 8 started. It was all flooded. I am changing my sparks out tomorrow though along with new brakes and rotars. And then a good fluid flush on all ends. I appreciate the help guys. I spent a lot of time on this forum and find new stuff all the time. I'm sure ill be posting alot more questions in the future lol

 

If it flooded, you want to make sure the battery is good and the ignition components are strong.

Don't forget about ignition coils if you don't know when they were last replaced. Either use Revision C OEM coils or go for BHR coils.

 

In the future, you should post issues you are having in the troubleshooting subforums.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-te...-shooting-160/

 

'06 Rx-8 89,000 miles

Front rotor no compression, please see below

 

Nothing like an apex seal dislodging and wedging itself between the rotor and the iron. I've had an engine do that once. Completely locked the engine up.

 

Coming in late for this one, and yes Manumatic is NOT a description for any Mazda Trans.

Either Manual or Automatic Transmission (6 Speed, which is different to late edition 6 Speed Auto in S1).

And yes therefore like all other Mazda's their Starter Motors ARE different Part Numbers, and there is no "upgrade" for Series 2 Starter Motors.

For Future Reference.
Mazda Part Numbers for S2 Starters.
N3R2-18-400 Auto Trans (6 speed)
N3R3-18-400 Manual Trans
In USA they superseded to have R-00 at the end of Part Number which means Recon or Reman Starter Motor (locally, not from Mazda Japan).
Brand new NOT reman or recon Starters are the Full Part Number I listed and are still available from or in some countries through local Mazda Dealers.

For S1 Manual Trans Owners a big YES, you can install the much stronger/better/faster S2 MANUAL TRANS Starter in your S1 Manual Trans.
Can not remember if the S2 Auto Trans Starter Motor fits in a S1 4 Speed Auto Trans (pretty sure this one is a no) or S1 6 Speed Auto Trans (a could be).

 

S1-04, M/T, 85k miles, Stock.
Never had to replace anything except the radiator which the nip broke off whilst i was removing the Coolant bottle to give it a wash.
Ash tray spring holder is broken, but I'll give it a miss for now.
I suspect rear exhaust to have minor leak, but will wait to see if it shows on its next MOT. Mid pipes seems to rattle, will tighten on a free weekend.
Really i have only had to do normal maintenance on it, oil and filter change plus cabin filter change.

Good luck, look after the rx8, it was well made.

Reg.

​

 

If you have never replaced the ignition coils and spark plugs, it would be time (it was time 50k miles ago). The first visible symptom is engine failure. So.. don't wait too long.

 

Thanks Loki, i have only had the rx8 for about 2 yrs, bought it at 80k miles, previous owners had done a service on it, replaced coils and plugs + slightly higher powered battery. I only use my rx8 on wkends. It's been to mazda dealers for 2 recalls and the comments on the health return was good, no starting issues cold or hot with S1- crank motor. I also have an advanced code reader that will pick up any errors on O2 sensor, spark plugs, coils abs srs, the lot. So I'm covered and enjoying the ride.

The bodywork will be my next project, to bring it back to showroom condition.

Regards
Reg.