The Mazda RX-8 and its 13B rotary engine made an important pair. The light-weight, high-revving sports activities automotive is fast and agile, making it enjoyable on the observe and on the streets. The 1.3L rotary engine, nonetheless, requires a whole lot of particular consideration and further upkeep than a standard piston engine would require. Thus, RX-8 house owners have to be taught in regards to the 13B engine and its faults to have the ability to correctly keep and care for his or her autos.
One frequent RX-8 drawback to pay attention to is engine flooding. The 13B pumps a whole lot of gas into the combustion chamber throughout start-up, which might trigger the engine to grow to be flooded with gasoline should you both flip it off too shortly after beginning it or if in case you have weak ignition elements that trigger a long-crank and no-start situation.
This information goes to debate what RX-8 flooding is, why it occurs and methods to forestall it, in addition to present a DIY answer for beginning and de-flooding a flooded 13B.
RX-8 Flooding: What’s it, and why does it occur?
The 13B rotary engine within the RX-8 is a somewhat emissions un-friendly engine. It produces a whole lot of emissions when it’s chilly. To fight this, Mazda developed a chilly begin course of with the aim of serving to the engine heat up shortly, due to this fact, decreasing emissions.
When an RX-8 begins up chilly, the gas injectors pump a whole lot of gas into the combustion chamber. On the identical time, additional oxygen is cycled into the exhaust gases which can be being recirculated into the engine. Subsequently, the added gas and oxygen end in hotter gases which assist warmth the catalytic converter up extra shortly.
Flooding happens within the RX-8 when an excessive amount of gas builds up within the combustion chamber, stopping the engine from beginning. It predominantly occurs for 2 causes:
Should you flip the engine off too shortly after turning it off, the gas doesn’t all burn, leaving a build-up of fuel within the combustion chamber, stopping it from startingYou have dangerous ignition elements which trigger a long-crank drawback which ends up in extra gas being injected, which then builds up and causes a no begin
The way to Forestall RX-8 Engine Flooding
We’re going to cowl methods to deflood the 13B subsequent, however first, there are a couple of steps you’ll be able to take to ensure you by no means should deflood it. The primary reason for flooding is popping the engine off too shortly. At all times let your engine run for no less than a couple of minutes earlier than turning it off. In case you are simply shifting your automotive in or out of your driveway, take it for a lap across the avenue earlier than parking it and turning it off. Getting the engine as much as working temperature is at all times good, however letting it run for a couple of minutes will do too. The colder it’s exterior, the longer it’s best to let it run.
Secondly, spark plugs and ignition coils are different frequent RX-8 issues. When the ignition coils or spark plugs go are defective, it may trigger a long-crank problem, resulting in a whole lot of gas being poured into the engine, inflicting it not to have the ability to flip over. Subsequently, conserving your ignition system well-maintained is vital for stopping flooding. Moreover, the 13B has a weak starter, and steady lengthy cranks may cause the starter to fail too.
General, correct upkeep and data of the engine are essential to stopping flooding.
The way to De-Flood an RX-8 13B Engine
In case you have flooded your engine, happily, it’s a fairly easy course of to deflood it. Whereas “flooding” sounds dangerous, it actually doesn’t have any damaging penalties or different reliability points that it causes. Whereas it may foul the spark plugs a bit extra shortly, that is in regards to the extent of the injury it does. Moreover, it may put some put on and tear in your starter should you attempt to crank it continually, however should you comply with our steps under, you will get it unflooded with minimal hurt.
There are a couple of totally different methods for beginning a flooded RX-8. The one we offer under is the best and most secure choice. We are going to recap on the backside the opposite methods to do it, however we suggest following this process:
1) Take away the gas pump fuse
Go to the fuse field contained in the engine bay and take away the gas pump fuse. Relying on the yr of your RX-8, that is both fuse #20 or #22.
Pulling the gas pump fuse will forestall the injectors from pouring any extra gas into the engine while you’re cranking it and making an attempt to burn off the prevailing gas inside the combustion chamber.
2) Absolutely press the fuel pedal and crank the engine for 5-6 seconds
With the gas pump turned off, the engine isn’t going to begin. Nonetheless, cranking it can burn off the gas within the engine. Put your foot to the ground (fuel and clutch, if guide) and let it crank for 5-6 seconds at a time solely. Cranking the engine places stress on the starter, so we need to give it time to chill down earlier than making an attempt once more. Wait 30 seconds, after which let it crank for an additional 5-6 seconds. Repeat this course of till the engine has cranked for 50-60 seconds in complete.
To recap:
Flip the ignition onPush the fuel pedal to the ground (if guide, push the clutch in too)Crank the engine for 5-6 secondsWait 30 seconds for the starter to recoverRepeat 8-10 instances
Essential: Doing this may drain your battery fairly shortly. We suggest hooking jumper cables as much as one other working automotive, or conserving a battery charger on it, whilst you carry out these steps.
3) Put the gas pump fuse again in
After 50-60 seconds of cranking, the vast majority of the gas caught within the combustion chamber needs to be burned off, permitting the engine to begin. Should you haven’t hooked your automotive as much as a charger or one other car, it’s a great time to do it now, as we’re going to crank it once more to get it to show over. Should you don’t have sufficient battery energy, it may forestall the automotive from turning over and doubtlessly re-flood it should you let it crank for too lengthy.
4) Crank the engine with the fuel pedal to the ground
We at the moment are going to get again within the automotive and attempt to begin it. Earlier than doing this, let your starter cool off for about 5 minutes. Hold your foot pressed to the ground once more as you probably did throughout step 2. Flip the important thing and let it crank. If it doesn’t begin in 5-6 seconds, cease cranking and let the starter catch its breath.
If it doesn’t begin, strive holding the fuel pedal to the ground for 30 seconds with the ignition turned on (however not cranking). After 30 seconds, attempt to crank it once more.
Should you can’t get it to begin, return to step 2 and repeat the method.
5) Let the engine heat up as soon as began
As soon as the engine fires up, let it run and heat as much as working temperature to forestall it from flooding once more.
Various Methods for Beginning a Flooded RX-8
Our steps above ought to work 98% of the time. If it doesn’t work, then we suggest repeating the method. If it doesn’t work once more after this, then it’s best to change your spark plugs and ignition coils. A flooded engine can foul the plugs stopping it from beginning even after the engine has been unflooded. Subsequently these could possibly be the rationale that this course of isn’t working for you.
Some individuals have had success following this course of with out pulling the gas pump fuse. If you wish to strive it this fashion, ensure you press down on the fuel pedal for 30 seconds earlier than making an attempt to crank it. We suggest pulling the fuse because it takes solely about 30 seconds to do and prevents further gas from getting into the engine while you’re making an attempt to begin it.
I’ve seen a couple of guides suggest pulling the gas pump connector on the gas pump. This can be a waste of time, as pulling the fuse is a lot simpler and accomplishes the identical factor.
Disconnecting the secondary air pump (it’s to the left of the oil cap) is useful however not required.
