Car has not been started in about 10 months?

Tiny
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  • 2008 MAZDA RX8
  • 1.3L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 153,000 MILES
This car was parked about 1 year ago after it was hydroplaned and began to overheat when started.

The previous owner started the car regularly then stopped doing that so the car has not been started in about 10 months now.

I bought the car knowing it would not start and have since replaced the battery, starter, eccentric shaft position sensor, spark plugs, spark plug wires. I have also done an oil change as the pervious owner had full-synthetic oil in it and also drained the coolant system to put coolant in it as the previous owner had put water in it and not coolant.
I tried the de-flood process while the spark plugs were out and it would not start after that still. OBD says spark adv. Is 9 which I believe to be low. I pulled the fuel lines to verify the car is receiving fuel and I believe the car is getting air.

The car will turn over but will not fully crank and run, there was a code for a rear O2 sensor and for the ABS system but I do not believe these would cause the crank no start issue. I believe the issue to be low compression or need new ignition coils as all of the other fuses and relays are good and the car does receive power and all the lights will come on when the key is is the ignition.
Thursday, March 20th, 2025 AT 7:05 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Hello,

It seems like the engine might have low compression but these engine respond well to starting fluid which I would give a try. Here is a video to help see what I am talking about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE

Here is a guide to help with the the compression test to confirm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Minimum acceptable:
6.0 kg/cm2 or
85 psi per rotor face, adjusted

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Friday, March 21st, 2025 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
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I have previously tried starting fluid. I tried it last before replacing the plugs and plug wires. I was trying to crank the car while someone was spraying small bursts of fluid into the air intake hose and the car didn't start but did start to "catch" like it was trying to start. I have also heard I can try to put some oil into the rotor housings either from the spark plug holes or from the oil filler tube as there's a hose that goes to the access ports on the other side of the engine.
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Friday, March 21st, 2025 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would do the compression test before you go any further.
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Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
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Since it’s a rotary wouldn’t I need a rotary specific compression tester? I’ve found a video on how to do the test with a standard compression tester but there’s a lot of math that goes into that one
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Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can use a regular gauge set which you can rent form the auto parts store for cheep o free. We just need to see if the engine has any, you will know. With the gauge attached turn the engine over for a few seconds and check the reading. I would use the bottom plug.
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Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 AT 9:25 AM

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