RX-8 won't start...Please Help!

jvohs83

Member
RX-8 wont start! Turns over, just took forever to start. I literally had to crank it over for a half hour straight. Then when it started, fumes everywhere! Blue/White smoke. Now seems to be fine. I had it at the dealership for a rough idle a few months ago, and like usual the bulls*** dealer said they couldn't find anything. Its an '04, 6sp. Was there a service bulletin somewhere about low fuel pressure or something? I thought I saw that once. And will my '04 still be under warranty? Only 28k miles on it. I dont know what to do if the dealership isn't going to do anything about it, and we dont have any local shops around here that know anything about rotarys. PLEASE HELP!
 
theres alot of problems with that car, but go check the dealer for recalls cause i know there is some, plus dont flood the car or you have to bring it in for a de-choke.
 
i didn't flood it, I didn't even touch the damn thing, it just wouldn't start at all. The only way I got it started was after about 20 mins of turning it over, was spray starter fluid in behind the air-filter (not the brightest thing to do, i know. I have no patience what-so-ever) and gave it a LITTLE bit of gas. Thats when it finally fired.

And is there anywhere I can actually get a printout of all the recalls or ones involving this problem? Cuz I took this car to the dealer complaining about a rough idle a few months ago and they looked at me like I was crazy... I dont think they even looked at the car. It was there for over a week and all they did was flash the PROM
 
Contiuously holding the ignition on will flood the car. That's why you would have had all that blue smoke. Could be a starter problem or fuel problem.
 
lol that will definitely flood it then. plus blue smoke is oil...hmmm. get this checked out asap!
 
jvohs83 said:
wont holding it to the floor flood the car?
Cracks the TB wide open (more air).

Also, you are not getting sufficient oil pressure during cranking to put up with all that wear you put on it (boom01) I'm not sure about rotaries, but I personally ruined a perfectly good rebuild in this fashion ...
 
It'd be nice if the entire damn thing just lit on fire and I could collect the insurance money. I've had nothin but problems wit it.

FYI... these cars can't take hitting a bunny rabbit at 95mph either. Broke my front ground effect.. Some zip-ties did a half-ass job of fixing it though
 
I don't think there are very many cars that will handle a bunny rabbit at 95mph very well. Surprised you didn't rip your front bumper to pieces doing that, bet the undercarriage was a mess after that.

Zip ties will always do a halfass job, because they don't fix anything, lol.
 
There is an engine recall out take it in and see is it was done theyll prolly put some new plugs and reflash the pcm and mabe even worse case an engine ,tell them what probs u are having and they should take care of it for u no prob..
 
Lt. Dan said:
This oughta be fun.... Explain why, that would flood the engine?

mainly because i said so. minorly because that's what happened in my rx7 when i hit the gas first. if the issue to begin with is flooding, hitting the gas pedal before starting the car makes it a lot worse. and the fact that he got a lot of smoke after the car finally started is a clear sign that it was flooding.
 
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle><TABLE cellSpacing=10 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
rough idle

TSB: 01-002/06
ALL MODELS EXCEPT B-SERIES TRUCK & TRIBUTE - ENGINE MISFIRE DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS

2005-2006 MPV 2003-2006 Mazda6 (2.3L), 2005-2006 Mazda6 (3.0L), 2004-2006 Mazda3, 2006 Mazda5, 2004-2006 RX-8, 2006 MX-5, 2006 MAZDASPEED6
DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may experience rough idle, hesitation, and/or misfire. The concern may occur with the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) illuminated and a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0300 stored in PCM memory. In other cases, there may be no MIL illumination or DTC stored. Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
REPAIR PROCEDURE NOTE:
- The following repair procedure WILL NOT work on vehicles equipped with a Visteon PCM (i.e.: 2002-2004 MPV and 2003-2004 Mazda6 3.0L)
- Before attempting repairs, be sure the concern can be duplicated at the time of diagnosis.
1. Verify customer concern.
2. Record Freeze Frame Data (FFD).
3. Install WDS to vehicle and I.D. the vehicle.
4. Select the TOOLBOX icon at the top of the screen.
5. Select "POWERTRAIN".
6. Select "OBD TEST MODES".
7. Select "MODE6 ON-BOARD TEST RESULTS", then press the Tick mark.
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> <!--var HIGHNONE = '';var LOWNONE = '';// --> </SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=320 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>
121842379
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><SCRIPT language=JavaScript> <!--var CAPTION121842379 = "";// --> </SCRIPT><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=320 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><FORM action="javascript:Zoom('/alldata/PRO~V44120661~C39073~R0~OB0~P2R0H~N/0/101825161/105843032/105843206/105843209/34853741/34850750/42063452/121040039/121842378/121842379', 1, 480, 359, 'ZoomWin', CAPTION121842379, 'NONE', HIGHNONE);" method=post><INPUT type=submit value=Zoom></FORM></TD><SCRIPT language=JavaScript> <!--var HIGHNONE = '';var CAPTION121842379 = "";// --> </SCRIPT><TD><FORM action="javascript:SizedForPrint('/alldata/PRO~V44120661~C39073~R0~OB0~P2R0X~N/0/101825161/105843032/105843206/105843209/34853741/34850750/42063452/121040039/121842378/121842379', 1, 480, 359, 'ZoomWin', CAPTION121842379, 'NONE', HIGHNONE);" method=post><INPUT type=submit value="Sized for Print"></FORM></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>- Mode06 shows OBD system monitor completion and monitor results. Nearly all OBD monitors work after every drive cycle. However, the results of monitoring stored in memory is only the last / current driving cycle. For misfire monitors, the last ten (10) drive cycles are stored.
- Be sure the PCM has learned the vehicles crank profile before proceeding. A vehicle equipped with misfire monitor needs to learn the crank shaft profile. If Keep Alive Memory is erased, both Mode06 and crank shaft profile data are erased also. In this case, the vehicle must be driven again.
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> <!--var HIGHNONE = '';var LOWNONE = '';// --> </SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=320 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>
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9. In the "VALUE" column, if a misfire occurred, there will be a number greater than zero (0) shown for that cylinder. The cylinder with a number greater than zero (0) would then be the misfiring cylinder.
NOTE:<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> <!--var HIGHNONE = '';var LOWNONE = '';// --> </SCRIPT> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=320 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>
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10. If there are all zeroes (0) in the value column for each cylinder, then a misfire did NOT occur in the last 10 drive cycles.
11. Verify repair.
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actually that reminds me, today while i was at mazda getting an ok of putting a 3rd tranny in my car. I saw an rx-8 on the lift with its engine pulled completely out and they were doing somethin to it. But they said because of a recall theyve been having rx-8's in like crazy, said the service manager.
 
<TABLE cellSpacing=10 cellPadding=0 width="90%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>01-004/05 2004-2005 RX-8 - ENGINE CRANKS NO START
BULLETIN NOTE This bulletin supersedes the previous bulletin 01-004/05, issued 1/20/05. The DESCRIPTION REPAIR PROCEDURE "A" - DECHOKE / ENGINE STARTING, PART(S) INFORMATION and WARRANTY INFORMATION sections have been changed.
APPLICABLE MODEL(S) / VINS
2004-2005 RX-8
DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may experience difficulty starting (cranks no start). This occurs after driving the vehicle a short distance without engine reaching normal operating temperature. Examples: starting a vehicle and moving it to wash it, engine stall due to mis-application of clutch then restart.
A cranks, no start condition may be caused either by flooded spark plugs or lower than normal compression due to fuel flooding.
Because some early calibrations do not have the improvements to cold start performance, it is important to update the vehicle's PCM to prevent possible no start concerns. Make sure to update the PCM to the latest calibration if the vehicle exhibits a no-start concern due to fuel flooding.
NOTE: After repairs, provide customers with DE-CHOKING PROCEDURE WHEN ENGINE CRANKS BUT DOES NOT START information (for customers to try after a "CRANKS, NO START" condition, before towing to dealership).
REPAIR PROCEDURE "A" - DECHOKE / ENGINE STARTING
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>1.</TD><TD>Verify concern.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2.</TD><TD>Verify battery is fully charged.
NOTE: Hard/no start concerns may be caused by lower than specification cranking compression at engine start. Charge and inspect vehicle battery, replace with 0000-80-MT35-WB if necessary (see service bulletin 01-042/04 - BATTERY REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP). For warranty reimbursement, Midtronics printout showing battery failed must be attached to repair order & readings must be documented on warranty claim.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>3.</TD><TD>Disconnect the secondary air injection pump electrical connector (B1-04).
NOTE: This will protect the catalytic converter by preventing rapid light off due to unburned fuel purging from the engine in the following steps.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>4.</TD><TD>Attempt to start the engine observing the following:
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>A.</TD><TD>Fully depress the accelerator pedal to the floor (dechoke (clear flood) mode prevents fuel injection operation while cranking).
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>B.</TD><TD>Crank the engine for up to ten seconds.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>If the engine starts, proceed to STEP 5.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>If the engine fails to start, proceed to next step.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>C.</TD><TD>Release ignition key from start position (shut engine off) for 5-seconds.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>D.</TD><TD>Crank the engine for up to ten seconds (DO NOT depress accelerator pedal).
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>If the engine starts, proceed to STEP 5
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>If the engine fails to start, perform REPAIR PROCEDURE "B" - COMBUSTION CHAMBER CLEANING & SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>5.</TD><TD>Keep engine running between 1500-2000 RPM until engine speed has stabilized. Maintain this engine speed until all smoke has dissipated and/or engine has come to full operating temperature.
NOTE: Do not race the engine, this may cause catalyst damage.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>6.</TD><TD>Shut engine off
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>7.</TD><TD>Connect the secondary air injection pump connector B1-04.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Of course, before you go through all of that, just try what Mazda suggests FIRST.

WARMING THE ENGINE
The Mazda RENESIS Rotary Engine provides exceptional performance dynamics and reduces exhaust emissions, allowing the RX-8 to meet the strict Tier 2 emissions classification in the U.S. Mazda achieved this in part by the design of the engine ports and adopting a sequential dynamic air intake system.) Because of its unique design, it is important to warm up the engine before shutting it off Ideally, the engine coolant temperature gauge needle should reach the middle of the normal operating range before shutting off the engine.
DE-CHOKING PROCEDURE WHEN ENGINE CRANKS BUT DOES NOT START
If the engine does not start, try the following procedure to start the engine using the de-choke mode.
Failure to do so may aggravate the no start condition.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>1.</TD><TD>Depress and hold the accelerator pedal to the floor and crank the engine for 7-8 seconds. (This will clean out any unburned fuel from the combustion chamber)
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>2.</TD><TD>Release the ignition key to stop cranking.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>3.</TD><TD>Release the accelerator pedal and start the engine. If the engine starts while performing Step 1 the engine will rev up. Immediately release the ignition key to stop cranking and remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>Do not keep holding the ignition switch in the START position over 10 seconds if the engine does not start. This may result in a weakened or dead battery.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>Avoid racing the engine or sudden take off right after starting the engine.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>^</TD><TD>If the engine still fails to start following the De-choking procedure, have your vehicle inspected by your Mazda Dealer.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
 
Somebody is almost as old as I am.

Holding the accelerator down while cranking will clear a carburated non-fuel injected motor.

Fuel injection and turbo charging change matters significantly, and the procedure normally will not work.
 
dude, just take your RX-8 in for the engine recall, they will test your engine for compression, if it fails you get a brand new engine, no questions asked.

and the way you abuse your car in general, i'm hoping you'll sell it or trade it so a better hand will be in care of this wonderful car. i hate to have an rx-8 being abused by its owner.
 
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