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Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8
View Poll Results: Have you flooded your Renesis?
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Engine Flooding Info/Questions

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Old 12-23-2005, 04:03 PM
  #1051  
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They "fixed" it for now. Took then three hours from drop-off-to-pick-up. Replaced plugs and made it runable. Didn't have a new battery or starter on hand to throw in it, so they will order them. Mazda is off today due to the holidays, and the dealership said they couldn't even order parts because of that. So maybe in a couple of weeks I'll be better than normal.

Two thumbs up to Mazda's Roadside Assistance. I called at 0700, and at 0830 the flatbed left here for the dealer with my 8 on top. Actually got a confirmation call after talking to Mazda from AAA stating that a truck had been dispatched. All and all, it made me feel better about my mistake. Not going to happen again!
Old 12-23-2005, 04:44 PM
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when my 8 got flooded, they did not send a FLATBED truck, just regular one and I think the car was towed with the rear lifted up/ front down. I vaguely remember something certain vehicles require flatbed towing?

Taking the risk of asking a stupid question here: What is the problem with using a regular tow truck? (It would not be a RWD vs FWD issue or?)

My truck was sent by Mazda Roadside Assistence also..
Old 12-23-2005, 05:14 PM
  #1053  
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just got my 2004 8 back from service for flooding (covered under warranty) right now. When i got back my car today they told me they put in a new starter and new plugs. Interesting part is they told me they tested the battery and found it satisfactory, nothing was wrong with it. so they did not replace the battery for me which is a bummer cuz I did want it.
Old 12-23-2005, 06:07 PM
  #1054  
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MadDashRX8, you got lucky. My car died December 30, 2003 and it was returned to me January 3, 2004 -- four days of sitting looking at it either in my driveway or in the dealership's parking lot. When it was returned to me, no new battery, spark plugs or starter. .. and they initially told me that they would have to charge me -- about $150, if I recall correctly. Eventually they did it under warranty, but it was a very frustrating few days.
Old 12-23-2005, 06:28 PM
  #1055  
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Originally Posted by ptiemann
when my 8 got flooded, they did not send a FLATBED truck, just regular one and I think the car was towed with the rear lifted up/ front down. I vaguely remember something certain vehicles require flatbed towing?

Taking the risk of asking a stupid question here: What is the problem with using a regular tow truck? (It would not be a RWD vs FWD issue or?)

My truck was sent by Mazda Roadside Assistence also..
You don't actually HAVE to have a flatbed, per Mazda. I asked the Roadside Assistance guy, and he said it was already in their notes for RX-8's. I feel better about the condition of my front valance when she's on a flatbed, as opposed to dragging the front in the dirt the whole way.

Here's the page from the manual:
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
Towing.pdf (47.9 KB, 145 views)
Old 01-02-2006, 06:48 PM
  #1056  
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Fix complete

Took her in today to finish the job. Had plugs replaced 10 days ago, just to get her running again over the holiday break. Got the battery and starter replaced today. Boy does she start quick now! Sounds completely different, too! I'm very happy to have had this happen. No worries about flooding again now.

Also added a K&N Intake (thanks Santa!), and she sounds nothing like she did yesterday. As loud as that thing is, I've almost decided against getting an exhaust!
Old 01-04-2006, 12:22 AM
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Long Term Effects

Been seeing alot of threads on the Flooding issue, and relation to failed Cats.
I think it may have been brought up before, but just for emphasis, if you continuously drive short distances but utilize proper shut down procedures and don't ever suffer flooding, what are the long term effects, especially on the cat converter?? I believe the fuel mixture is still rich in short distance driving, and even if it doesn't result in the plugs fouling up (& flooding), will the cat or other components wear out faster??
Old 01-04-2006, 01:36 PM
  #1058  
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The fuel mixture is rich anytime the engine is started cold, whether the engine is destined to to warm up completely or whether the short trip procedure is followed. I would assume the CAT is designed to handle this as a normal circumstance (however I am not an automotive engineer).
Old 01-04-2006, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by msrecant
The fuel mixture is rich anytime the engine is started cold, whether the engine is destined to to warm up completely or whether the short trip procedure is followed. I would assume the CAT is designed to handle this as a normal circumstance (however I am not an automotive engineer).
Right, the Cat should be able to handle the intial start up period of any car when the AFR is rich, but what if the engine is REPEATEDLY shut off before full warm up, i.e. a 10-15 minute or longer drive, and the rich mix is still left in the Cat and not allowed to burn off enough on a frequent basis??
Old 01-04-2006, 06:17 PM
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Sounds like your question is what is the impact of repeatedly leaving a rich mixture to condense in the CAT ... a good question.

Can't believe it is any different for a piston engine ... a rich mixture to start with left to condense in the CAT. I would expect CATs to be designed to handle it but, again, I'm not an engineer.
Old 01-06-2006, 10:46 AM
  #1061  
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For anyone that is interested. TWO ROTORS has definitive info that the new starter is a 12volt unit. Check out:

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...8&postcount=14
Old 01-06-2006, 11:36 PM
  #1062  
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Originally Posted by Primary
I'm quite sure this is a real problem. I've turned off ignition once when the engine was cold and... it flooded. I tried all the tricks mentioned here and elsewhere on the net and couldn't get it to start, even a week later.

Fortunately a local mechanic was able to remove and clean the plugs, and only then would my car start.

I've spoken to a few dealerships since. They're all familiar with it happening, two mentioned it happening on their own lots. This could be most common among the people who aren't active on the board?

What could Mazda do? I guess anything that would keep the engine running despite the drivers intention to shuit down the engine would be a fire risk? Perhaps a big panel light saying "Careful - Engine cold"?
well befor i gotten the rx8 i had 350z and s2000. the z one time was flooded only when for the first time ever i put crown gas 93. i felt the gas was a little heavy and slow to burn. so ever since i used shel 93. now i have the rx8 for couple months and had no flooding problems. i have turned it of MANY times of when the car was really really cold..... 22F and no problems.

so my question for those who flooded, what kinda gas where you using? the could be a reason although i dought it.
Old 01-12-2006, 09:43 PM
  #1063  
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Have any late model 2005s Flooded?

Has anyone flooded an RX-8 that was built 4/2005 or later? If so, please post a message in the following thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/have-any-late-model-2005s-flooded-80545/

Thank you!
Old 01-13-2006, 01:08 PM
  #1064  
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im curious, is it considered flooding if you dint have to have it towed? i was able to restart my using the dechoking procedure 3x already.
Old 01-13-2006, 01:11 PM
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Using the deflooding procedure is flooding IMHO.
Old 01-13-2006, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
im curious, is it considered flooding if you dint have to have it towed? i was able to restart my using the dechoking procedure 3x already.
I would say yes. However you have a good point. Please note how you go the car restarted:

- Dechoke procedure from the manual (holding pedal to the floor)
- A more complex dechoke procedure (high speed tow, pulling plugs, injecting washer fluid or oil in the combustion chamber, casting chicken bones, etc
- towing to the dealer
Old 01-13-2006, 01:24 PM
  #1067  
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well my build date is 06/03 so i wont post in the other thread. i have R flash and have flooded three times (twice from the "garage to driveway BAD BAD rx-8 owner" and once for no apparent reason)

all were fixed with 10-15 minutes of the dechoke procedure as described in the manual (pedal to floor). tho im wondering wtf that has done to my starter ...
Old 01-13-2006, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by RedSheDevil
tho im wondering wtf that has done to my starter ...
With a 6/03 build, you can push for the battery/starter/plug upgrade.
Old 01-13-2006, 01:52 PM
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Off to get my 2004 Rx-8 tomorrow morning. Had the battery/starter/plugs upgrade. Have had a few hard starts and two frank flooding since new. Personally I think most RX-8 owners should push for the upgrades while the warranty is in place. Have two older RX-7s - never any flooding issues. Had a 1986 Rx-7 back in Canada - flooded it once. In this day and age - no new car owners should have ANY starting problems in the first five years - period.
Old 01-13-2006, 02:31 PM
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well i have a great dealership, so i just may have to do this. they seem to understand that the customer is number one...
Old 01-13-2006, 03:19 PM
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Can I change my vote? After driving the car for 1 1/2 years I finally flodded it. Moved the car and shut it off. Three days later moved it again and shut it off. Next morning I had to use the procedure in the manual to get it going. I am lucky that my dealer already replaced my battery with the heavy duty one.
Old 01-13-2006, 03:23 PM
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^ how did you get it replaced before flooding? im just wondering what you said to the dealership ...
Old 01-15-2006, 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by zoom44
i posted the update here https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...chmentid=67575 nothign changed from the previous version except some of the warranty info
For those of you who have not seen it, ZOOM44 posted the latest "Engine cranks no start" TSB. It appears that if you go in to the dealer with any kind of starting complaint, not just flooding, some (many?) dealerships will do part/all of the starter/battery/plugs update listed in the TSB.

Remember, this is not a recall so they don't have to do it unless you bring the car in with the specific complaint addressed by the TSB (inability to start).
Old 01-15-2006, 12:40 AM
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Thanks MSRECANT. I've had a few slow starts in the past couple weeks. My dealer says that it passes, but I'm not happy and am going back...
Old 01-15-2006, 06:27 AM
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I'm lucky (?), if I let my 8 sit for 5 or 6 days it barely starts. Next week is my 30K service so, hopefully, I can convince them to do the starter/battery thing. The 30K service includes new plugs anyway and I have a 247 HP free-maintenance card.

I would be fine even if I had to pay for the battery, which I believe is not fully warranted for the entire 48 months/50 K miles.


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