Fateful8

I got up the other morning and my car would not start. It just turns and turns and turns but will not turn all the way over. Every now and again it will hiccup like its about to start but it does not.
Little history:
1. Had a decarb on it about six months ago, since then its ran great never had a starting issue.
2. Temp is about 35-50 degrees.
3. Noticed some water and brown cream like sludge on the oil dipstick.
4. Changed the oil (didn't help)
5. When i had the decarb done at the dealership, they told me i had low compression and i needed a new apex seals.
6. Mileage: 91000
7. Automatic tranny
8. Cracked the radiator on a tree stump about three months earlier and it overheated for a few seconds before i noticed.


I know this is probably the worst case scenerio, but i thought i would check for other possible solutions.I am specifically interested in trying another decarb myself, however i read that the engine needs to be warmed up for that and since i cant get it started i was curious if there was another way or if it would work without warming it up?

any input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Heeroguy

r u serious?

Cohort

iTrader: (4)

3. From what I have read on this board that is normal.

5. Unless the car is a salvage or something there is a 100k mile engine warranty, really curious why your Mazda dealership didn't tell you about that and replace the engine when they saw that. If not replace then at least advise you on it.

If its not covered under the 100k warranty then plugs and coils would be the first thing to check, it could be the starter finally pooping out if its just turning.

Also you can't decarb an engine that isn't running so don't know why you would even want to try that.

Fateful8

I bought the car used so I have no record of oil changes with the dealership, because of that and because I like to do it, i have done the oil changes myself since i bought the car. I was told if i could not produce a complete list of dealer service that i was inelgible for the warranty.

I read in a decarb thread that the engine is not running when doing a decarb. however it needs to be warm so you should drive it a bit and then begin the decarb process. https://www.rx8club.com/do-yourself-...eaform-142852/

I will check the plugs and coils tonight. what should I be looking for? or should I just replace them in order to see if they are the problem?

Cohort

iTrader: (4)

In the tech garage section there are quite a few write ups on the coils plugs. Honestly though if its just churning when you try to start it I would focus on the starter, battery,and alternator.

Not in-depth help I know but its a start.

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Mazda already told you what is wrong.... You have low compression = you need a new engine.

phsalex

iTrader: (4)

I have the same cream sludge on my oil dipstick too, if you find out what that is let me know!

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

wcs

iTrader: (2)

One of the oldest discussed topics on this forum
It's normal
Foamy milky residue on dipstick ... there is a TSB for it as well

That stuff is just an emulsion of oil/water that is caused by normal water vapour in the crankcase condensing near the cooler dipstick area.

https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum...ipstick-14694/

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multime...pstick-108331/

https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...-stick-139975/

phsalex

iTrader: (4)

gotcha thanks!

Cohort

iTrader: (4)

True but replacing the coils, plugs and possibly the starter should get him up and running again. Not everyone can drop the extra 6k to replace then engine, instead they come here for ways to make what they have run again for as long as possible.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

You don't need to produce dealer service records, you need to prove the car was maintained. If the dealer thinks otherwise, he or you can take it up with Mazda North America. Do you have receipts for the oil and filters you purchased since you bought the car? You're not responsible for anything that happened before then.

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Depends on how bad the compression is....If numbers are really low upgrading your ignition system will not get you far. The more you push an engine with low compression the more damage you do.

Cohort

iTrader: (4)

true that man.

Fateful8

Thanks for the support! some people can be really rude on this site.... i wish that was not the case because its such a great site for information. thanks again for your input!

Fateful8

I should have kept receipts for that stuff but I did not, never occurred to me to do so honestly... when I got the decarb done at the dealership they never once mentioned the warranty. as a matter of fact they quoted me $4500 to replace the engine, or rebuild it. I can't remember which they said. I guess i'll give them a call and see what they say. Thank you

Fateful8

In regards to the starter, I treid to upgrade it a few months ago,because I read the upgraded starter can mask some of the symptoms of low compression. Since my cars a 2004 it came with the weak starter, so I planned on replacing it. When I took it off I noticed that the previous owner had already installed the upgraded unit, so I just left it. I thought my starter was actually quite strong. When I turn they key it cranks and cranks but just won't catch. hard to explain....I guess its kinda kinda like blowing air in balloon with a hole in it, instead of expanding, the air just passes through.