Designer

My battery got drained so I tried jump starting the car. Then that failed because of the type of battery it is.I pulled the battery out of the car and charged it properly.
I put the battery back in with a coplete charge, then tried to start it.The engine would turn over but not fire up.I pulled a spark plug to test for fire and that was successful.I then ran the diagnostic on the fuel pump by using a jumper wire in the diagnostic terminal.That was successful, Also I checked the air intake for obstructions, also successful.I did smell fuel during the time i was turning the engine over.I have a few questions.
1.Is the Car flooding?
2.What causes flooding?
3.Is the fuel pump suppose to run continuously when the key is on?(My fuel pump is not running)
4.What is the opinion of the many mazda lovers out there?
5.Please help me!!!!!

gshaffer

Welcome to the world of rotary engines. I have had this problem on my FB and FC but thankfully not yet on my FD. The problem is, when it floods, gas lays in the bottom of the rotor housing. Then when the apex seal comes around it splashes gas on the leading plugs and fouls them. You can't just clean the plugs at this point because next time you turn it over the same thing will happen. A low battery will cause it to flood because it needs to be turning over pretty fast in order to fire. Sometimes if you catch it right away you can get a flooded car to start by alternately holding the throttle to the floor then letting up on it while turning it over, about 5-10 secs at a time untill it catches. But here's the procedure you will have to follow at this point:

1. Disable fuel pump. I'm not sure what fuse does this in the FD - engine fuse? (I'm not even sure this is necessary but better safe then sorry)

2. Remove all plugs. The leading and trailing plugs are different, make sure they go back where they belong. Spray them with brake clean to clean them and let them dry completely.

3. Turn car over. You might want to lay a rag opposite the spark plug holes. You will see lots of atomized gas billow up from the engine bay. You probably don't want to smoke a cigarette while doing this. Turn the car over until it blows little or no gas.

4. Replace the plugs and wires. You might want to take a rag and clean the gas out of the spark plug holes.

5. Enable the fuel pump.

6. Start the car. Warning: you could have worn your battery down during step 3 and if you did, you could flood it again, and that is a real bummer after going through this procedure. Either charge the battery back up, use a different battery, or jump it.

*Note: when it finally fires up, it will blow unburned fuel in the form of white exhaust, and lots of it. Let it idle until the exhaust cleans up.

Have fun and good luck!

skunks

how are you testing the fuel pump? are you sure fuel is getting to the engine? (im my case, the fuel pump could be heard running but no fuel was reaching the engine).

Also how are you testing for spark? did you test all the wires?

I'm not sure about the fuel pump having to constantly run, if I can remember, ill go out and check tomorrow for you.

BTW: I think it could be possibly flooded.

Did you check all the fuses and relays? (this is where having more then one comes in handy! you can just pull parts off one car and replace it on the other)

Lastly, are you getting any engine codes?

Designer

Guys I appreciate your help.I followed the steps in regards to flooding and it resovled the problem.
Thanks so much