Car dies...

[fikren]

Originally Posted by Herblenny

By the way, the 24V thing at DGRR wasn't true...

Later that night, I couldn't believe that the alternator was producing that kind of volt so I decided to check another FE... Sure enough, the other FE was producing the same voltage. I then guessed that the volt meter was off.. Next day volt meter was tested and sure enough, it was bad.

My volt meter suggest that the car is producing enough voltage.. My guess now is that 8 is sucking up power and when voltage drops its putting the car in the limp mode (my previous problem). My current problem, I'm guessing maybe the ECU had to learn?? I'm just keep an eye out and see... I guess if I make it hope ok, then I'm good.

Oh, does anyone have any info about changing out Fuel Filters?? I'm just going to go ahead and do that just in case..

ah ok, I never heard the update that it wasn't pumping out 24v.

Fuel filter is not replaceable without replacing the entire pump as it is integrated into it. If I am not mistaken, the access hole is under the rear seats so you have to lift them up. From what I have read it is essentially just pulling up on the seats and there should be four screws then.

Mazda claims the fuel filter in their pump is good for 100k miles but who knows.

I think mazsport makes a true bolt in replacement pump which may also flow more but I have not really looked into it so I do not know if their filter is replaceable or if its like OEM where the whole pump has to be changed with it.

[Herblenny]

^^ I think you are right.. I know 8s are returnless system and I've heard somewhere that most returnless have filter built in to the pump.

I guess I'll do some research and see what I find out about the filter thing..

[fikren]

no searching nessecary, the filter is in the pump. New filter=new pump, probley run in the 200-300 range from dealership.

Mazsports pump turns the system in to a return system but it is way expensive ~700.

I haven't seen many, if any, problems related to the fuel filter in the 8's. They are supposed to handle up to the recomended change out at 100k miles.

It would seem like everything your experiancing would fall into an electrical/ecu problem to me. Its hard to say on these cars, maybe when you reset the ecu it put it back into learning mode and will adjust itself over the next couple of days. I don't know if something like changing the coils/wires and then messing around with the alt could have made such a difference that your system was no longer running in the way the ecu had "learned" it was running.

[Herblenny]

I hope that's the case... But I couldn't find any hard evidence of RX-8 ECU needing to "Learn".

My 8 has 100+K miles.. But most of that is highway miles... which If I convert to normal driving around 50-70K (going by Engine RPM). I also don't see any consistent fuel filter/pump symptoms that you would normally see... I just can't think of anything else..

Next time I have issues, I'm taking it to the dealer and see what they find out... Maybe their computer will find the problem..

[Herblenny]

Update...

Well, After 8+ hour shift at work, I got in the car and the car started RIGHT UP!!! 1-2 turn over and cranked!!! My drive home, I saw zero problems and the engine sounded great!!! I even got on it to 9k RPM and the car pulled harder than before!!

One other thing I didn't post last night was I was missing one nut off of the alternator bracket and I put that on and tighten all the nuts and bolts.... Maybe the alternator wasn't grounded right?? Who knows.. but the car is now up and running great!!! and Idles smooth at 800 or so RPM.

[fikren]

Originally Posted by Herblenny

Update...

Well, After 8+ hour shift at work, I got in the car and the car started RIGHT UP!!! 1-2 turn over and cranked!!! My drive home, I saw zero problems and the engine sounded great!!! I even got on it to 9k RPM and the car pulled harder than before!!

One other thing I didn't post last night was I was missing one nut off of the alternator bracket and I put that on and tighten all the nuts and bolts.... Maybe the alternator wasn't grounded right?? Who knows.. but the car is now up and running great!!! and Idles smooth at 800 or so RPM.

thats great, maybe the mysterious gremlins have moved on.

[WE3RX7]

Well thats good - interesting note on the voltage though.. I'll have to tell Jon if he doesnt read this post first..

The alt being loose or not grounded would def cause some issues for you! I'm glad we cleared the water about the filter as well.. thanks fikren..

[Herblenny]

I'm still needing few parts from Jon... And I would like to still get that ECU, the ECU bracket, and battery tie down..

I'm hoping all is well... crossing my fingers...

Here is the Fuel System Diagram for RX-8

Also, Does anyone know what the fuel line is made out of?? I notice one of them has a kink in it... I tried to bend it back but might need to replace it.

[Herblenny]

Nevermind.. I just read that the fuel lines are plastic.. I think i might have to replace one and could have been the cause of some of my issues...

[Herblenny]

Not that anyone cares.. But my car started fine this morning and drove like a champ on my way to work...

Also, I'm running aftermarket wheels and I'm not getting the TPS light coming on.. I guess its a good thing??

[fikren]

Originally Posted by Herblenny

Not that anyone cares.. But my car started fine this morning and drove like a champ on my way to work...

Also, I'm running aftermarket wheels and I'm not getting the TPS light coming on.. I guess its a good thing??

what are you talking about, we all care in fact I was asking the wife just a little bit ago, "I wonder if phil made it to work ok this morning."

Glad things are going well so far. Maybe that loose alt bracket was the culprit afterall.

[Herblenny]

OK...

Well, I just found out its NOT the fuel line thats kinked..

Can someone tell me what this line is?? Its the line next to the fuel line...

[Herblenny]

Found it!!

Its the line to Charcoal canister in the back.. Phew.. Nothing serious.. But might had an effect on idle.. I'm going to take the rubber cover off and see if I can just fix it by taking out the kink and such..

[blwnrtr93]

Happy to hear you've got it sorted out, Phil.

[Herblenny]

I think I fixed the car!!!

Car feels great and so far starts right up and no issues with driving and idling.. Yeah!! Crossing my fingers to see how long it lasts

I do however need battery tie down, ECU mounting/cooling plate, and I think that's it!