John Corbitt

I came back in town last night to find my car flooded. Our line guy Didn't remember the 5 min rule. This is the second time it has happened to me where the manual's procedure did not work.

My alternate procedure has worked every time including on the older RX-7s. I just have someone pull me at about 20mph. ease the clutch out in second gear and after a few seconds give it a little gas. It works every time.


John

r.ford1

I've read in another post that a 9V starter, and a stronger battery completely eliminates any flood issues on the rx-8. You may need spark plugs to.

BunnyGirl

I read somewhere also that the 2004s are the ones with that problem and that they made a few changes and it is mostly fixed in the 2005s and later.

kraji

i had the same problem but after i got beefier starter with new spark plugs i never flooded again.

nokiafan88

this is good to know, i hate it when my old turbo II flooded like crazy

fredw1

Happened with my '05, so not just an '04 problem. I must have done the same thing (move tha car into the garage after washing) 15 times with no problems, but on #16, no start the next day.

garynjr

I was told that you should Rev the engine up to about 5K and shut off the car as you release the gas and that will burn up the fule trapped in the chamber...
Has anyone heard that? Thanks.... Perspective 8 buyer.... That's the only thing that's scaring me... I am a photographer and have had plenty of times when I need to move my car a short distance. Getting stuck with a flooded engine could really hurt. Thanks, G.

Blue87Sport

garynjr, the flooding issue arises when the engine is cold. If you've driven it and its up to temperature, moving short distances isn't a problem. Its only when the car sits overnight or for several hours in a cold climate.

Anyone with a good dog avatar deserves a response.

garynjr

Thanks... Yeah, That's Zeus... He unfortunately won't be able to fit in an 8 if I do actually get one... Not very Gracefull. He's about 150 lbs and very tall... Maybe I'll be able to teach him to sit upright instead of laying down on the back seat... Not that I really want him slobering up the leather...

Anyway, I live in a moderate climate... Cold winters, hot summers. PA.
Thanks... G.

Moumtz

You rev a cold car to 7k RPM? I hope your engine lasts. The manual specifically says do not rev above 4000 RPM until your engine is at normal operating temperature.

John Corbitt

I remember the "pop Start" in the RX-7 manuals. I don't recall an advisory against it in the 8 manual. I belive the warning was for the catalytic converter. I never had a problem with any of them "pop starting".

I was in PA for a short time in 1989. It was so cold, my FL RX-7 starter would not start the car. I parked facing down the hill every night and "pop started " it every morning. I sold that car with almost 200,000 miles on it with no engine problems.

John

yiksing

So do you have to turn the ignition as u ease up on the clutch or after you give it some gas or not required at all?

msrecant

No true.

msrecant

The new starter, battery and plugs dramatically improve things but there is no conclusive evidence that this totally eliminates the problem. I believe Mazda still recommends that the engine should not be shut off cold.

msrecant

The QUICK TIPS (the small booklet that came with the owners manual) warns against short trips. If you have to make a short trip it recommends: start and let idle for 10 seconds, move the car, let the car idle until normal engine temp or for 5 minutes, rev to 3K and hold for 10 seconds, let return to idle and turn off the engine. This is the same warning/procedure shown in the Product Update DVD distributed this year.

Check out https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...&postcount=954.

John Corbitt

Turn the Ignition on when you start to be towed.


John

capitolgator

mine flooded recently; Mazda towed it in, replaced the old starter with a new one and a beefier battery (free of charge) and I was told it will never flood again... so far so good.

amartin

Well.thats BS..it'll flood. Mine did on X-mas... The RX-8 is a piece of sh*t.

I wish to GOD I had never gotten this car.

Charles Cope

Sounds like its time to move on.

marcussmith26

hey guy need some help.my little brother just got a 05 rx8 ,it quit starting so we pop started it and it was smoking like cazy and started making a knocking sound ,sounds really bad, any ideals what migth have happened its just got like 8000 miles help if you can

msrecant

Did he shut off the engine without letting it warm up? Mazda warns against that. See https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...3&postcount=17.

John Corbitt

What Octane fuel are you running. It will run on 87, but I have noticed running a higer octane fuel leaves less carbon deposits on the rotor and the run better. I prefer Chevron of Amoco.

As the older RX-7s got more mileage on the they got more finickey. I they didn't get the 91 fuel, they were more likely to flood.

John