RX-8: De-Flooding

[Ceejay29]

Hi,

 

I am looking at buying an RX-8 at a very cheap price although it does need a bit of work;

 

It has been sat for a thrid of a year

Its a non-runner

Requires de-flooding

It doesn't have an MOT

 

I have no experience with these cars, my old man is a mechanic so am hoping to grab a bargain (with his help).

 

Has anybody had experience with an Rx-8 de-flooding as this is my main concern? A very quick search indicates that it may be a common occurrence with rotary engines?

 

Thanks

[Lexx]

Pull the fuel pump fuse and crank it over for what feels like an age (but in reality isn't too long).

Replace fuse, fire up.

 

Rinse and repeat.

 

It will create clouds of white smoke out of the bank end for a while, and can destroy the Cat.

 

Head over to rx8ownersclub.co.uk for more detailed advice. I haven't owned mine since 2008 so my info may be a bit rusty.

[Ekona]

And if you don't want it to flood if you need to turn it off, hold the revs at 4k when you switch the ignition off.

 

Just budget for a rebuild, around a grand and you'll have it sorted

[brillomaster]

how much is it? you can get perfectly fine running and driving rx8s for £1500 or so!

[SHEZZA]

Hmmm back in the day when I had mine I managed to flood it and ended up having it trailered to the garage to be de flooded as I had no idea at the time. Easily flooded just don't start it up just to move of the drive without going for a run or what Ekona said. Not any help I know to you sorry

Edited March 18, 2015 by SHEZZA

[Ceejay29]

Ideally wouldn't want to re-build, but as you say should probably budget for that

 

Have offered £500 for a 2004 2.6 which is almost half of the asking price.

 

Need a daily

[SHEZZA]

Ideally wouldn't want to re-build, but as you say should probably budget for that

 

Have offered £500 for a 2004 2.6 which is almost half of the asking price.

 

Need a daily

 

Don't you mean 1.3 ? Haha is it a 190 or 230 Bhp

[The G Man]

And if you don't want it to flood if you need to turn it off, hold the revs at 4k when you switch the ignition off.

 

Just budget for a rebuild, around a grand and you'll have it sorted

 

For at least 10 secs, also avoid starting from cold and moving a few yards then switching off without using the shut down procedure.

 

Ideally wouldn't want to re-build, but as you say should probably budget for that

 

Have offered £500 for a 2004 2.6 which is almost half of the asking price.

 

Need a daily

 

For a daily, it's expensive, cheap to buy I know, but budget, depending on commute for around 200 - 250 max out of the 60L tank.

 

They're cheap for a reason or seven!

[Ceejay29]

Shezza maybe I do mean 1.3 although it is listed as a 2.6 R3? Poor on fuel then Gman.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I will have a ponder and carry out a bit of research.

[alexwitham]

My friend had one for about a year, it cost him a small fortune. It'd often refuse to start and the MPG's were dreadful, IIRC he used to get about 16.

[SHEZZA]

Yep 1.3 but classed as 2.6 from what I remember not sure what the R3 is about the models were 190 or 230 Bhp. 230Bhp version easy to spot as it is six speed as supposed to the 190 being 5 speed also the 230 has washer jets for the headlights which is a give away from the outside. As for mpg I used to average about 18 mpg with my 230

[ilogikal1]

Shezza maybe I do mean 1.3 although it is listed as a 2.6 R3?

 

This always amused me when I was looking at them. It usually goes;

Second hand car salesman; "It's quite nippy but also economical, it's only a 1.3 don't you know"

Insurance salesman; "It's a 2.6, so our random number generator says £..."

Mazda salesman; "You're also looking at 3.5 litre Nissans? Well ours is 3.9...".

 

Every time, without fail.

[The G Man]

Shezza maybe I do mean 1.3 although it is listed as a 2.6 R3? Poor on fuel then Gman.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I will have a ponder and carry out a bit of research.

 

Poor is a good estimate. They have 2.6 displacement, and are taxed accordingly. If you do have a look on rx8 OC, they will swear blind that it's all a myth and that they are the best cars since sliced bread, defend them to the death.

 

They are flawed, but are one of the few cars that can be driven, to the limit, on our roads and handle sublimely.

 

I had one for 4 years, loved it, but it was mine from new, I would NOT buy second hand, never mind a non runner.

[Lexx]

Yep 1.3 but classed as 2.6 from what I remember not sure what the R3 is about the models were 190 or 230 Bhp. 230Bhp version easy to spot as it is six speed as supposed to the 190 being 5 speed also the 230 has washer jets for the headlights which is a give away from the outside. As for mpg I used to average about 18 mpg with my 230

 

R3 was the facelift variety available from 2010 (I think) and came in 230 guise only.

 

I loved mine. It was poor on fuel, but my god it was a good car. Considering it was almost 80bhp down on my 350z I lapped Croft consistently 2 seconds quicker in it. I know there are lot of variables, but the handling really is that good if it's working right.

[Jetpilot]

Lots of good advise above:

 

They really dont like being started and stopped, driven short distances repeatedly.

Keep a regular check on oil, they run best on mineral oil (no synthetic) so at least its cheap.

Try to take it the redline each time your out, clears out the carbon build up and deposits.

Coil packs known to fail and often these cause starting issues.

 

Rebuild will cost 2k for a decent job.

[Dan2013]

After having 2 rx8's, they are an extremely good car as long as they are running right. They require regular oil checks and full service history (Ideally by specialist) is a must. Power delivery is completely different to the Z, all the power is in the top end which as fun as it may seem, becomes tiresome after a while. Handling is sublime, like its on rails with 50/50 weight distribution. I came out of a Z back into my second rx8 however I missed my Z that much after 2 months I was back in my current Z

[The G Man]

The biggest factor when it came to giving up on my Rex was lack of torque. After being tailgated most of the way up to the top of the Stelvio Pass by a diesel van, despite trying very hard to shake it off, was the final straw.

 

However, I did have fun in it.

[monkeybrain1234]

Brother in law got one 1 year ago. What a mistake that was. Nothing but problems. Personally I think the wankle engine in these is not worth it unless you are prepared to spend lots of money on it. Like others said, they are cheap for a reason!!!

[StevoD]

isnt it 1.3 litre per rotor and the rx8 is twin rotor so 2.6 or have i dreamt that

[ilogikal1]

isnt it 1.3 litre per rotor and the rx8 is twin rotor so 2.6 or have i dreamt that

 

First bit's right, but it's 3 chambers isn't it? So technically (depending on which technicality you want to use), it's 1.3, 2.6 and 3.9 litre.

[Mattle40]

I know Iv heard edd China say it's equivalent of 4l before so.... .... This must be a fact ðŸ˜

[un1eash]

isnt it 1.3 litre per rotor and the rx8 is twin rotor so 2.6 or have i dreamt that

 

I thought it was 650cc per rotor making it a 1.3

[Jetpilot]

isnt it 1.3 litre per rotor and the rx8 is twin rotor so 2.6 or have i dreamt that

 

I thought it was 650cc per rotor making it a 1.3

 

Basically yeah, Its something like 638cc per rotor, thats what is mentioned in a rx7 handook.

 

In terms of cc Its correct but swept area gives it the equivalent of a 2.6.