My 04 rx8 AT is stalling every time I come to complete stops I've replaced maf sensor, replaced air filter and carb cleaned the inside of the intake and didn't stop the issue. Any suggestions.

 

Here's a couple; get codes scanned, check fuel pump/sock.

 

I suggest a compression check.

 

Is the a/c on?

 

Yeah I have the ac running, do you think that's effecting it

 

compression check, and then see where you are

 

My suggestion is to properly diagnose the problem or have it properly diagnosed by a competent mechanic. Stalling is not always a loss of compression as many here have suggested, it could be a simple vacuum leak. Diagnosis by parts replacement is something the dealer does, you have to be smarter than that.

 

not sure what you are getting at!


OP, do a vacuum leak test.

 

What?!
Blasphemy! Where's the fun in that?
You're supposed to guess and just start changing parts till you get it right.

 

Yeah, it's pretty sad that any starting issues or stalling issues are automatically assumed to be engine compression related. A loss of compression is common but is not always the case.

 

Thanks for the help... I will just take it to a more competent mechanic cuz the person helping me I thought was competent but I'm not getting results... I'll have them do vac leak test and a compression test.

 

Yeah I was having fun doing that but it was sacrificing driving time I've only driven it 3 times and got to enjoy it since i got the car then this issue stopped me from from having fun

 

i agree, however you always start with the basics. if it passes compression, then you look at spark, then vacuum leak.

 

You work a dealer don't you?

 

i used to, i've been playing with rotaries since 1994. i've found you need to have a logical trouble shooting process, otherwise you're just changing parts, and guessing.

 

what does that have to do with anything?

the car always needs the 3 basics: compression, fuel and ignition.

fuel is rarely the main problem

compression is slightly less likely but still quite possible with these cars.

ignition is usually the main culprit i find with the automatics. if you think the ignition craps out easily on the 6 port engines, you haven't owned an auto 4 port version.

 

I'd reverse that. Ignition is more likely unless you know it has been replaced recently, it can be tested easily and largely for free, and be replaced for about the cost of a compression test. Vs a compression test can be difficult to schedule, and even if it comes back bad, you still could easily have ignition failure.

If you have OBD2 data available, a vacuum leak is easy to check first, since it's free and only takes a moment.

A compression test is only the easiest first option if you are a tech at a dealer with the car on your lift. It's rarely the easiest option for an owner that has a job, family, may not live anywhere near a dealer, etc...

 

My point is that a compression test should only be considered after everything else has been properly diagnosed and ruled out. I have seen people jump the gun many times. We had an engine that was diagnosed as a low compression engine (piston tester used) due to hard starts but the problem was a screw in a vacuum line attached to service port instead of a proper vacuum cap. The caps were replaced with new ones and the car fired right up and is still running great today.

Another local guy bought an RX-8 with a low compression engine for under 2k. It turned out it was just flooded. New coils, plugs, and wires and it was running like a champ. The shop that determined the engine was dead was our local rotary shop and RX-7 self proclaimed "expert". A nice profit was made on that car.

 

i wouldn't ever take a DIY at home compression test at face value, but it could point out defects such as a substantial differential in rotor compression which will give a definitive result. cranking speed is the issue most people have with DIY compression tests as well as watching each rotor face peak.

a good starting point always depends on your experience in dealing with the various systems.

 

^ Truth.

 

Hi I need help I have a 2004 Rx8 I let it get too close to empty and now it won't crank, it turns over but it just sounds like it is just spinning. I put gas in it and i'm on day three now with no luck any suggestions from anyone I don't know what to do, is it my starter, I'm afraid that i'm gonna burn up the starter if you can do that. I can not find a good mechanic to help me hell the guys who change my oil freak out everytime I take it in for a change. "ooohh this has a rotary engine "

 

your engine is probably badly flooded . Nothing for it but to push start or tow start it . You should make yourself aware of the deflood proceedure (accelerator pedal hard down) so you don't keep pumping more gas into it every time you turn it over .

 

if it's a manual i suggest a tow start, if it's an auto you just have to inject lubricant into the engine and crank away until it starts or you need a new starter, then replace the starter and crank it some more.