I've never had it not start like this before. In fact, it did start, but then as soon as I let the clutch out a bit it died and now it will not start again.

I tried pulling the EGI ignition fuse and cranking. It seems like it wants to start, but can't. It gets the tach started. The motor moves and the belts move. It has plenty of battery on a brand new battery.

When I pulled the fuse and cranked it it started smelling like fuel so I stopped messing with it. That has always gotten it started in the past. One time like 4 years ago I had to push start it, but I can't push start where I am, I'm in a parking lot that you need to turn out of onto a major road.

I need ideas on how to get this thing started. I am already missing work today. If I don't get it started and driving by Friday I will lose my job.

 

To me everything is telling me it is flooded, because it started then got stopped and Ive experienced that before, but I cannot get the deflooding procedure to work. It has been a while since Ive done it and I can't remember if I press the gas down when cranking after removing the fuse or not? This is for an 88'. I thought that was for S5.

I tried to deflood like 6 more times, but Im scared to keep going and damage it or something. It did sound like it wanted to start on the third try. It gives like 2 or 3 pops sometimes, but just doesn't catch and start. WTF. I guess pull the plugs and crank?

I don't have any ATF to try to get it started. I have 2 cycle oil I add for premix, should I squirt that in the spark plug hole?

 

sounds flooded, if the pull the egi fuse crank with it floored, put it back in then try to start fails... it may be really flooded,

try egi fuse out remove both leading spark plugs, and crank it with it floored for 15 seconds, too shoot allt he excess gas out of the chambers,

try to dry the plugs off completely, or get a pair of brand new leading plugs... or a good non fouled used set.

put them back in and put fuse back in then try to start it.

even more high lvl of flooding, can require egi fuse out plugs out, squirting 2 stroke in the chambers, cranking it for 15 seconds, do this a couple times... then put new plugs fuse back in and try to start it.

make sure the battery stays fully charged during this too... the lower the cranking speed, the probability of it starting flooded gets worse, maybe have a friend with booster cables hook up to you to spin even faster

 

You could check the plugs to see if they are wet. You can pull the plugs and w/the EGI Comp fuse pulled turn the engine over to rid the housings of any excess gasoline. If that does not work then spray 1 to 2 seconds of starter fluid into the air intake and try to start the car.

 

The car wont start without the EGI fuse, pull it out to clear the engine of fuel. The fact that you said you smelt fuel when you did this is a good indicator the car is flooded

I believe the S5 cars had a feature built into them that would kill fuel if you pressed down the accelerator but pulling the EGI fuse does the same thing.

Pull the plugs and have a look if their wet. that will tell give you a clear answer if your engine is flooded or not. Turning the engine over with the EGI fuse out wont damage anything, but keep an eye on your battery as doing this repetitively might drain it.

If deflooding doesnt work then start checking for all the other variables. Do you have fuel, spark, compression, ect.

DOH I believe your question is answered now haha

 

Well I haven't gotten it started, but I didn't pull the plugs yet. Where can I buy OE spark plugs for a reasonable price? The stealership wanted $80 last time I checked and I laughed my way out of there, so I never ended up changing them. I am thinking this might be a good time to do it.

 

oreilys, autozone, they ususally have them there generally 5-8 a piece. NGK for leading BUR7EQ, ngk BUR9EQ for trailing. they make a platinum version also but I wouldn't bother with that.

the rx8 plugs are 20 each tho! everywhere

 

So I pulled two plugs, but I had to go back inside, because it is down pouring and I was getting worried thats how much its raining.

Anyways, they are beyond fouled. That has to be the problem. Like the gaps are totally seized together, and the little pin in the middle is so corroded. I'm not sure why they are like that. Is it normal for them to just be trashed after about 45K miles?

I ask because when I rebuilt it they seemed almost brand new compared to where they are now. And the car ran OMP before and now premix, so if anything I though it would be better.


I tried to turn it over with two plugs out, but still nothing. I might go try to do the other two just for the heck of it, because this is really the only time I have and it sucks that it's raining and xmas eve, family is like what the **** are you doing outside in the rain….

 

What does this mean, "I tried to turn it over with two plugs out, but still nothing."

 

I pulled the EGI comp fuse and one of each spark plug and cranked the engine for about 15 seconds. Of course I put them back in to try to start it.

It almost has to be the plugs, and even if its not I think it might need new ones anyways.

 

But what were you expecting to happen? Did you put the plugs back in place and tried to start the car and it didn't start. Is this what you are trying to say or did you expect some fuel to come out of the plug holes and none came out?

 

Basically the second thing. I was hoping it was flooded and fuel would come out. And the plugs did look wet, but I didn't see any fuel come out, at least nothing noticeable. I was hoping to deflood it like that.

 

Bought new plugs. Got the old ones out. Man that last one is a bitch. I am about to try the new ones and see if it starts. I guess I'll try cranking it once without them to see if anything comes out.

 

Pour some oil in the plug holes too

 

Thank you everyone for your responses. I did get it started. It almost started after replacing the plugs but still no. So I did the usual de flood procedure and then it did start. Was still hard start though.

Then it smoked for about 10 minutes. So it was very flooded. Also the back chamber when I took all the plugs out and cranked shot out a bunch of sludgy ****. I think I added too much 2cycle oil this time. I remember I added more than usual by accident. Hopefully it will start up when I need it to now. I should take a picture of the plugs they were toast.