ive had my 2004 rx8 for about 7 months now and ive had a problem recently occur. whenever i drive anywhere and cut the engine off, then immediatly try to start the engine again, or within 15 minutes it wont start. it turns over but it just doesnt catch. when i wait for about 20 minutes it will turn over for a bit then finally catch. ive tested my battery, changed my spark plugs, changed my oil. i cant think of anything else and i really dont want to take it to a shop.

 

90% It's due to low compression....

 

what do you suggest i do about it, i barely know anything about rotary engines so far

 

Bring to a local rotary shop and have them check out the car.
Since you are not familiar with rotary, god knows the history of the car.

 

I also think its low compression how many miles does your engine have ? Do you know if its the original one or reman?

 

Look up "hot start" issues.

 

its got all stock stuff as far as the engine, it have 56000 miles on it, no accidents, only 2 previous owners, both older men who just wanted a flashy car to drive every once and a while

 

I don't intend to scare the crap out of you. But I'd put my money on low compression.
Do some searches on "hot start issue" like godesshunter said.
You replaced you plugs, that's good but you'll also want to replace the coils. But before you
do, you're probably going to want to take it to the dealer. I think they may want to replace coils, wires, and plugs themselves and run a decarb. Then do a compression test.


Here's where you have to play your cards... VERY IMPORTANT!!!
Your engine may still be under warranty. Being an 04 doesn't mean your 8 yrs/100k miles are up.
You can call the dealership or mazda to determine what the original (1st owner) purchase date of the car is. If it's within 96 months, it's still under warranty.
DO THIS!!! Because you have only a short window of time to take advantage of the engine's warranty if it's not up already.
It could save you thousands and thousands of dollars.

Still under warranty...
If the dealership replaces the coils, plugs, and run a decarb procedure, and you PASS the compression test, the work is at your cost. If you FAIL the compression test, then mazda will replace your engine at no cost to you, provided there isn't any signs of abuse.
Some dealerships ask for maint. records, others don't even seem to ask.

Now if you're not under warranty anymore...
You can change the coils and see how it helps.
There's a number of decarb routes you can go... Order from mazda and "DIY", Use generic "Seafoam" and "DIY, or pay the dealership/shop to run a decarb.
I think the dealership does a more thorough job but not familiar with the process.

Either way, you'll want to determine if your car ever had the starter upgraded. If you're still running the original slow starter, a faster one should atleast help.

The solid bottom line is this... Without a compression test, anything you replace may only be masking the fact that your engine needs to be replaced/rebuilt.

On a personal note...
I have an 04' GT, I just picked it up from the dealership with a new engine after going in for the "HOT START ISSUE" covered under warranty. But I also brought it in with transmission issues and other parts that I puked up $3,500 for...

7months isn't long enough to feel the wrath of the 8.
Regardless of your preventive measures and research... anything can happen.
You just need to remember you have this car for your emotions not your finances.

 

just tested my compression today, all 4 spark plugs are at 120 psi. how hard is it to change my ignition coils myself ?

 

try using the search bar at the top of the page. Or, click the google link in my sig, and search the forum using that method.
Your questions are very easy to find on your own...

 

Did you use a compression tester made specifically for rotary engines? If you used a typical gauge, then the results are completely irrelevant.

 

how are they different

 

i used this exact one