I don't know.
I want to know.
I'm afraid to know. (it can't be good...)


Yes, I could brush up on what the different deposits of solids, liquids, gas or oil, hot or cold mean and do it by myself, but where's the fun in that?


-- Just picked up this '04 GT. 90k mi. Only running on one rotor.

 

Looks like it has been used for short trips and spent a lot of time in cold enrichment or traffic. But I don't see anything catastrophic on there. Probably just needs coils?

​​​​​​

 

Just one of the 4 plugs has those light colored spots which, in person, appear to be metal flakes or fragments...or that kind of bright white ash that only forms at super-heated temps.

It starts hard hot or cold and runs rough but idles ok when warm.

Very grumbly & throaty at high revs w/zero pull but keeps climbing nevertheless.

Did coils & plugs because I already had them but haven't done wires yet.

Will compression test tomorrow, pull DTCs & be done with any speculation, hopefully.

 

you can’t read sparkplugs on a rotary engine like on a piston engine

been stated on the forum many times, but that’s what happens when you rush to the “Start A New Thread” button rather than searching and reading some first.

which is also why you probably didn’t know that the first thing to do is get a spark tester and verify of all the coils and sparkwires are passing first …

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...-wires-222641/
.

 

Checked out your original thread that i did read a few years ago. Went a different direction with one of the light pen style testers that works a treat. I guess what i dont know is how much load it has on it. Easy as to read however while engine is just idling. Happy to be schooled as required.

Also Team can you please clarify if the plugs themselves can be read for rich/ lean/ good just like any other IC engine? I think this is sort of what the OP was originally asking about.
I do this semi regularly every or about 6 months aporox and compare all plugs, especially L and T with each other. I do this to monitor levels of premix I'm running. Then i soak the plugs in non-premixed fuel for about an hour before using my bosses toorhbrush to gently clean off any deposits. Air-dry then reinstall. Return toorhbrush. Repeat in 6 months. 😀

 

You can tell a lot from the spark plugs on a rotary.

My spark tester came in very handy too... it prevented me from dumping a bunch of time and money into a car that I wouldn't even be able to drive home.

Once I knew there was fuel to burn and spark to burn it, any issues with ignition could only be due to lack/loss of compression.

After driving it home, I looked at the old plugs and had a pretty accurate prediction of what it's numbers would be.

The next day I used my compression tester to verify the accuracy of my prediction. And it did:

Front

Rear

This should work out great because I needed a viable candidate for motor rebuild to put in one of my other 8s and between the two engines I should have what's necessary for one that's well-balanced and strong.

If I'm lucky there will be enough left over to get another rebuild going (or at least keep me inspired to keep going).

After all, it would be a total shame to let a body like this go to waste:

Couldnt go wrong for $400

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On a separate but related note:

I feel very sorry for Team because of the severe trauma which he suffered as a boy. An entire lifetime spent trying & failing to cope with an insatiable need to pick apart every human being who comes near or, God forbid, crosses his path, cannot be easy.

To place oneself on a pedestal and commit to forever adorning a "holier than thou" persona is really the only option to protect oneself from the relentless downpour of guilt generated by a restlessly paranoid, hate-spewing husk of a soul.

Yes, there stands the great Team, on his glimmering pedestal of ice, surrounded by a raging inferno being fueled by the fires from every bridge he's ever burned.

To feel and show love is the only way to escape the inevitable, gruesome outcome. But sadly, one cannot feel or show love when one has never seen love or been loved.

 

I thought this was a plug reading thread. Not into any other personal comments. If i was looking for drama i would just goback to work! Plenty of ***** there. Lets stick to what we are here for..... our fix of free car talk!!