5 min drive enough to not flood RX-8? + other Qs

[LukeBird]

Weird question, but obviously there are plenty of horror stories of 8s flooding.
I only have a short drive to work (couple of miles) is that going to be enough to get there and not flood it? I'm seriously tempted by one, but I don't want a car I can't use day-to-day!
I've done a few searches around here and found some good info (and am reading the OC buying guide at the moment), is there anything else I need to know?
I know the models are much of a muchness, but I fancy a 231 and am looking at one with all the toys (including nav) over the next few days.

[moribund]

I used to do something similar at lunch times in my RX8 with no issues. Just make sure you get it properly warm and give it some beans regularly to stop it coking up.

It runs very rich from cold to heat the cat, but soon drops back to more sensible fuelling after a minute or two.

It'll be shockingly inefficient on lots of short runs though!

[LukeBird]

moribund said:

It'll be shockingly inefficient on lots of short runs though!

Not worried about that, in the MX-5, almost all of my miles are for pleasure, few miles to work and back and the rest thrashing it.

Thanks for the reply though, good to know.

[dtmpower]

Luke. I've been having a similar conversation with a colleague who commutes from Titchfield to Park Gate. For non south coasters this is 3 miles.

As soon as his Googled the flooding and hot start and oil consumption, not to mention the percentage on eBay that are 'spares or repairs' he was put off.

They are cheap for a reason. If you can nurse it and take it for a decent drive each morning you might be OK.

An engine rebuild can cost more than the car is worth.

[sherman]

It would do the journey fine but I wouldnt want to do it every day. I take mine to work about a mile if I know Im going somewhere after but I wouldnt want to go to and from work only in it.
An rx8 is not designed to do a short journey all the time. It was sold as a gt car so should be used as one. It works best on journeys where it gets a chance to get up to tempreture.

[GT Kodiak]

Hey Luke,

I've taken my 7 to work and back, it's only a couple of miles, and the 7 is a slightly different animal, but it's fine.

Once the car is warm enough to open the thermostat it gets floored down the dual carrigeway to clear it out.

There are times when I think it'd be nice to have something with an SR20 lump in it.

But every time I go for a drive in it it puts a smile on my face. Even opening the garage to see it's sullen little 'non-popped up lighted' face begging me for a drive makes me happy.

Don't abuse it, but thrash it... if that makes sense, and you'll be fine.

[LukeBird]

Thanks for the replies chaps.
It'll get plenty of good use to make sure it doesn't get clogged up!
Going to have a good think about it and go and have a look at the one I mentioned as well.

[dtmpower]

The damage and issues caused by a short journey can't be fixed by subsequent longer ones as far as I understand.

Don't get me wrong though. I'd have an RX8 in a heart beat.

[lycara22]

Having owned an rx8 since July 5 min drive will do it no good it needs to be fully warmed up every journey the chaps on rx8 owners club recommend you beep it every journey to stop it clogging up. Personally if it was me I would not buy an rx8 for 5 min journey.

[The Flying Ox]

I've been advised that revving to 3-4000 rpm before turning off the ignition is useful for burning off/clearing out any fuel that may otherwise cause issues the next time it comes to starting.

Also, if you do flood it, bury the accelerator to the floor and crank the starter a few times. This cuts out the fuel pump/injectors/sparkplugs (I don't know which exactly) allowing the engine to "squeeze out" any fuel left in there without actually trying to start.

[GT Kodiak]

The Flying Ox said:

I've been advised that revving to 3-4000 rpm before turning off the ignition is useful for burning off/clearing out any fuel that may otherwise cause issues the next time it comes to starting.

Also, if you do flood it, bury the accelerator to the floor and crank the starter a few times. This cuts out the fuel pump/injectors/sparkplugs (I don't know which exactly) allowing the engine to "squeeze out" any fuel left in there without actually trying to start.

That should be "whilst" revving to 3k rpm, right?

Foot down, 3k, Ignition off whilst simultaneously flooring the throttle until the rotors stop rotating.

And it's the injectors it cuts out although removing the EGI fuse is a better way to do it as that disables the injectors.

[FD3Si]

It won't flood it, but it won't do it any good. The short journeys are carbon buildup city which will really reduce the life of the engine if you do it regularly.

My RX7 is occasionally used for the short work trip, but I make sure I take a detour on the way home to 'clear it out'. Also, it's a crime not to thrash it.

The 'hold revs, switch off' again works fine to ensure you don't flood it (mine's never flooded in 4 years of ownership) bit won't stop the buildup issue.

[LukeBird]

Thanks for the replies all, I'm mulling it over.

[gollan82]

for starting/stopping procedure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plj4DW8rT2s

If the engine does flood then this procedure worked for me, doesn't take too long but is very annoying when it happens.

http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php...

[R8Steve]

LukeBird said:

Thanks for the replies all, I'm mulling it over.

Personally i would buy another car - i had a 231 for a short while (4 months) and it was the worst car i ever had.

It had some good points like the interior was quite a nice place to be and it looked ok but the bad points outweighed the good by far. Fuel consumption made my R8 look like an eco car, oil consumtion was just as bad, it was slow and felt even more so, it went through several coil packs, the cat went as a result and wasn't cheap to replace, it flooded regularly despite following correct procedures (which to have on any mass market car in the first place is a bit of a joke really), the headlight levelling sensors had to be replaced twice and are a PITA to change. All in all my 4 months of RX-8 ownership is best forgotten....just to top it off the guy i sold it to called me a month or so after wanting to know where to take it for an engine management light diagnosis.

I just don't see the point in these cars at all i'm afraid

[LukeBird]

R8Steve said:

Personally i would buy another car

I've scrapped (or shelved, maybe!) the idea for another car for now anyway.

[dtmpower]

LukeBird said:

R8Steve said:

Personally i would buy another car

I've scrapped (or shelved, maybe!) the idea for another car for now anyway.

[robsa]

You would be better off using the MX5 for the commute and using the Rex on the weekends!

[RicsterUK]

LukeBird said:

I've scrapped (or shelved, maybe!) the idea for another car for now anyway.

Thats a real shame. they are great to drive and real head turners.
A little time and patience in finding the car and you would be well rewarded.
I went for a 59 plate R3 from a Mazda dealer (with warranty) and wasnt disapointed...