Hello,

I have an '05 RX-8 Shinka Edition. My car is an automatic with ~112,000 miles on it. I am actually in the process of selling it and during a test drive the today day it died at a stop light. Upon trying to restart it wouldn't restart for about 5 minutes. In order to keep it from dying once started I had to rev the engine several times. About a mile down the road this happened again. Finally about 10 times later I made it to a shop that doesn't have a Mazda computer (thus the codes can't be ran according to them). Also, the car was very sluggish once over about 35 mph, and rhaspy sounding over about 5k rpm. The closest dealer to me is about an hour away so I am trying to get an idea of what this problem could be before I drive there. From reading some online posts I believe this may be the engine coils, but wanted to get some ideas to my specific incident.

 

Some says the fuel pump too, especially with a very high mileage like yours.

 

Clogged catalytic converter.

 

How does it die?

Does it just idle... then go out.

Or does it sputter then dies, like its running out of gas? For example, when its dying and the needle is going down, even if you press the gas pedal it keeps going down.

If its the first one, can be compression or other things.

If its the second its most likely the fuel pump.

 

It is generally as I'm decelerating as the rpm hits about 1000 or a little less. Then it won't start for a few minutes later. Upon restarting it's rough and tries to die. No lights are on though.

 

Catalytic converter was also my first thought because of trouble at high rpm's. But didn't think that would cause problems with restarting.

 

Considering your reply, I would say CAT or maybe engine.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to have a compression test done.

 

I have an appointment Thursday morning I'll have to see what they say. I forgot to mention that I'm in Missouri and it's been in the 90's-100's lately. I didn't know if extreme heat would contribute to any of the above problems. However it was only about 85 the day this happened.

 

I am going to ask the obvious, when were the coils and plugs last changed?

 

I bought the car with 103,000 miles on it. There is no indication of when they were changed by the previous owner, but I have not changed them since owning the car. What is the normal intervals to change them?

 

My car is currently doing something similar what did you find out whenyou took your car in?

 

I have an appointment to get it in tomorrow. Will post the verdict as soon as I know something. I have a limited warranty through an outside company, so I'm hoping it is something other than compression.

 

I think it is every 40 to 50k. Hopefully it is that simple for you.

 

When driving it to the shop tonight I noticed it would be doggy at times and others it would scream along as it should. Starting to think more along the lines of a fuel pump. It may be a combination of this and the coils/plugs

 

Engine going...

 

mine does this like once every week or 2! like i will drive it like i always do and it will randomly **** down on me, but it starts in the 1st try again like nothing even happen, my new engine, new cat, new BHR ignition all have about 9k miles or so

 

Alright I heard from the dealer. Originally after the diagnostic an test drive they said there were no problems. I told them to drive it until it was hot, about 30 minutes or so. They promptly called me back and said it finally did the same to them and recomended a compression test. Just received word that it is indeed engine failure. I am currently in the middle of dealing with my warranty (Route 66 Warranties). They are acting like they will cover the full cost of repairs after I provide them with maintenance records.

 

omfg, better not be the same problem for me 2..lol..i just got a new engine like 9 months ago..lol

 

CAT! look at the cat first!

 

this is what im gonna do..my car has some kind of ghetto tune since i got it and runs supper rich and i keep clogging my cats..lol..my old one would actually glow all red entirely, not just one little dot, ALL OF IT!

 

Surely they would check the CAT first right? I mean wouldn't that show up on the diagnostic? Compression was still low so if I can get a new engine I might as well. You'd think the dealer would think to check the CAT

 

So it was the CAT? hmm will have to check mine though i think its just my MAF on the fritz

 

No sorry for the confusion. It is the engine they didn't say anything about the CAT. I was just saying you'd think they would check that before they would assume it's the engine. Then again they are there to make money. Am planning on selling as soon as it's replaced. Any takers? I'd take $9000. It's a good deal for someone that knows them inside and out.

 

bad throttle body.

 

If you, or the previous owner (to your knowledge) never had the ignition coils replaced then I think it might be worth replacing them.
Old worn coils are known to cause Catalytic Converter failure from my experience. So I would suggest getting some new coils and have them (dealer) make sure to inspect the cat visually.
Coils/plugs/wires are always a good idea on a new engine.