Just about to buy....

[iebah]

Hello, I'm hoping to buy a 2008 231 RX8 in the next few days. At the moment it does not start. If I can start it up within one day of me working on it I will buy it (price already agreed).
The battery was shot, but I brought a recently charged battery with me. This failed to start it. In desperation I started flooring the accelerator while trying to start it, and this appeared to make a difference, but I didn't know what to do exactly and it still didn't start. BTW, my battery is lower rated than the standard RX8 battery, 44AH, 440CCA and had 13.0V according to my multimeter. I could probably recharge the owner's battery and try that, it's much bigger. I have a good charger.
When I got home and researched what might be wrong, it seems likely it is flooded. The owner had managed to start it off a jump start a week or so before (because he knew the battery was flat), but it conked out shortly after and he gave up. It had been standing a few weeks, and then effectively turned off while cold.
Do you all think it's flooded, and if so what should I take with me to make it work again? The owner said it always started hot or cold until it was left standing for a long time recently.
Thanks for any advice. If I have to spend more than a day getting it to start I don't have to buy it! MOT is good until April.
Cheers, Tom

[Nickp47]

Is it the black one with Anniversary wheels? If so, it is highly likely to be flooded.

[iebah]

Silver ten spoke wheels. In Surrey.

[iebah]

Sorry, yes, the car is black.

[iebah]

and they are anniversary wheels, I just searched.

[iebah]

Please tell me what you know Nickp 47! And thanks for the super-rapid response.

[Nickp47]

That’s the one, I sold it to the chap on a spares or repair basis a few months back as compression is pretty average .
Having said that, it started fine when hot, drove OK and has very good service history so will make a great usable project.
Just give it a tow if you can and I am confident it will be running soon enough.

[iebah]

How cool! The owner seems like a good guy, and he doesn't mind me working on it on his drive. I'm thinking I could pick up his battery one night, charge it, and then next day try one of the flooding procedures. Do you recommend taking the plugs out, and if so do you then try to start it without plugs in to get rid of excess fuel? Or have you never flooded an RX8?

[Nickp47]

I have deflooded many an RX-8 . Towing is quickest but if that’s not an option personally I don’t faff around with plugs or fuses, just put a fully charged battery in, hook it up to another running car with some chunky jump leads and turn the engine over with your foot down on the accelerator for ten seconds or so a good five or six times with gaps of a minute or so in between to allow battery to charge and starter to not take too much stress.

[iebah]

Wow, if that works it won't take long. Great, I'll try that. Obviously I'll bring some tools in case that doesn't work, but I don't know what else is likely to stop it starting if the owner is being truthful about it.

[30405]

I have deflooded many an RX-8 . Towing is quickest but if that’s not an option personally I don’t faff around with plugs or fuses, just put a fully charged battery in, hook it up to another running car with some chunky jump leads and turn the engine over with your foot down on the accelerator for ten seconds or so a good five or six times with gaps of a minute or so in between to allow battery to charge and starter to not take too much stress.

Just to expand on nicks response.

"foot down on the accelerator" this cuts fuel delivery, so make sure you bury the accelerator when turning over.

[iebah]

Right, thanks.

[GreySilver Beast]

Hi Tom & to the RX-8OC

<<<<<< Please put your Location in your Profile Box, it will help us to know where you are, if required any help in the future

Please check out the EVENTS SECTION's for anything coming up soon in your area

Events Team