Mazda RX8 Chapters

Note: This is a sports car and should not be treated like a typical everyday car, like the stock, formula one cars they have problems in starting from standing cold and some of them require a push or warming up before they perform. (I know how they feel) The Rotorary engine requires this TLC. The Rotary is a reliable engine and will keep running, they are found in high performance motor bikes and aircraft the latter requiring even more reliability.

I recently came across the following information that may also help those having problems with starting their RX8, to the point they are probably pulling their hair out (I don't have any more to pull out....).

For this exercise, one needs to go to the backseat of the RX8:

                                                   RX-8 fuel pump cover without screws
                                                   1. Remove the nearside rear seat base cover. The lower seat cushion simply pulls up .




                                                   2. This reveals an access panel which is held in place by 4 sheet metal screws. Remove these
                                                        screws and the panel.




                                                                Underneath RX-8 fuel pump cover

                                                3. There is a single electrical connector (black plug with 3 cables connected to it) on the pump
                                                    assembly that provides power to the fuel pump and readings from the left-side tank level sensor.
                                                    Take a moment to learn how to disconnect and reconnect this connector.

4. If possible, connect an additional power source to the battery (another battery or another car via jump leads).
5. Position yourself in the driver’s seat with your left hand stretched behind you (assuming you have a right-hand drive vehicle) ready to connect/disconnect the fuel pump. Keep it in the disconnected position.
6. Apply around 1/3 throttle on the accelerator pedal. Use your right hand to turn the ignition key.
7. The engine will turn but not start. After around 10 seconds, connect the fuel pump for a few seconds then disconnect.
8. You may need to repeat this a few times. Don’t crank for more than about 30 seconds at a time though to save your starter
     motor!
9. After a few tries, hopefully you’ll hear the engine getting close to starting. The point of connecting and disconnecting is that you
    are trying to clear the engine and then reconnect at just the right time to get the fuel pumping again .

The Road emergency services suggests that using this technique they can usually get RX-8s restarted in around half the time it takes using the fuse removal, etc. Apparently this information was obtained via a chance conversation with an engineer from Mazda. Most likely it’s the sort of thing you need to try a few times to get it right, but it certainly seems to offer more control over the process as you can access and change all inputs at the same time (fuel pump, throttle and ignition).

In the early days of the MGBGT I recall enthusiasts, like myself, (owning a red 1966, chrome bumpers with wire wheels) installing a fuel key, as the fuel pumps use to fail or just lock, (got through four of them before fitting the key). It could be one of those dejavu episodes, in reality alternative soulutions prevail or Mazda could get their act together, I digress. Note there are two types of key: The fluid key (whereby your shut off the fluid or there is the electronic key, whereby you switch off the electrical supply to the pump). Most if not all RX8 will go with the latter.