Not Starting, not flooded (maybe)

[Fendamonky]

Originally Posted by RotaryBC

Yes, just purchased 6 Jul 16

I thought about pushing, wasn't sure about it being a rotary

I was going to check the coils and wires, when I replace the spark plugs.
Replacing the spark plugs tonight

I am focusing on the gas gage being on empty, you know the dealers never want to put gas in any car they sell (used car dealers)

Also:
The engine has a lot of oil on the front, from the Alt. to the bottom of the engine block

The oil filter had 6-18-15 written on it, should I do a fresh oil change before I attempt to start or wait till I get it starting? The dipstick read oil at the last dot, I put in a fresh qt.

Push starting is fine on a rotary. I'm not as familiar with rx-8's, but signs of oil leaking like that is never a good thing...

I'd say pull the plugs to see if they're damp. You can crank the engine with the plugs out and, I believe, the EGI fuse removed to deflood the engine. Or, I'm fairly certain if you just put the gas pedal ALL the way down and crank it should also cut the fuel. Doing that a few times should clear out any flooding.

If your plugs are wet and fouled than replacing them will definitely be a good thing to do.

If the car won't start after it's been deflooded and has new plugs in than try the push start.. If the engine starts but runs rough as hell and scrapey, shut it off IMMEDIATELY, and take that shit back to the dealership for either a refund or a $5k discount, because that's what the rebuild will likely cost you...