micah

Well, I've been doing 2nd gen for almost 10 years now... and I've done edelbrock carbs before... but these nikki carbs are something to behold in complexity.

Sure, all of the theories are the same... but there's SO much MORE.

Anyways.. I searched the forum and all I could find were starting issues where MORE choke kept it running or feathering the throttle... those seem pretty cut and dry.

Mine is sort of like that except that feathering the throttle or choking it doesn't help... If I pump the throttle and start it at the same time.. it'll start, rev to about 2k, then after 10-15 seconds die like it ran out of gas.

My theory is just a dirty fuel filter.. so I'm picking one of those up at lunch as well as a carb rebuild kit. I'll do a flow test as well on the fuel pump. Are those a pretty common failure point?

The PO had this car sitting in a carport for the last 3 years, so I'm sure the gas is just as old.. .would bad gas do this? Is there an easy way to drain the tank so I can put fresh stuff in?

Let me know,
Micah

85 FB

Did you come across this link? This might help a bit.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/why-wont-run-351458/

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

What year is the car? This is important. Later cars only run the fuel pump during cranking and will only keep the fuel pump running if you are getting spark on the trailing ignition. The idea is that if you were in an accident and the engine stalled, the fuel pump won't keep pumping and potenially adding fuel to a fire source.

Also, the later 1st gens have a drain plug on the tank (looks like a 12 mm bolt) to make things easier. I would do new filter, carb rebuild, and get that old gas out and replace with new. If your car doesn't have a drain plug, then your car probably also runs the fuel pump wheneve the key is 'ON'. In this case, undo the fuel line at the carb, stick the hose in an empty fuel container, and turn the key to 'ON' (not 'Start'). The fuel pump will then pump out the old gas for you..

micah

again, in that post he could keep it running with throttle.. in my case, I cannot.. .Choke/pedal does not change its attitude.

Its an 82 GSL (sorry for not mentioning that.. I thought I had added it to my sig. Guess not).

I am not sure if that constitutes a "later" model car, I figured 84-85 were later model..

I can hear the fuel pump in the IGN position, so I'm assuming it always pumps.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Yeah. An '82 will run the pump when the key is on. The reason that I mentioned that is that I've seen many people with 84/85 that had the prob where they would start the car, it would run for a bit, then die. Reason was that trailing ignitor was bad and the fuel pump was not running after it started.

You can empty the tank as I mentioned (disconnect fuel line, turn on key). Replace gas, rebuild carb, new filter.

I doubt that it is only the filter causing this. Usually the filter only hurts performance under load unless it was almost completely clogged. More than likely, the carb is gummed up because of the old gas. Are you using the choke? Leaving the choke on during this time? After it revs to 2000 RPM, do the RPMs come down or stay at 2k?

micah

I'm going to try replacing the fuel filter first.. they are only 4 bucks or something at my local napa.. so I'll get a couple of them if it doesn't work.. I'll go *****-deep.

It doesn't have MUCH fuel.. so, if I can just get TO the gas station, I'm sure I can dillute the old gas enough to burn through a tank and get back on track.


Well, "usually" might not apply to this car.. Its been sitting for 3 years... who KNOWS what condition it was in before.... definitely not me. The person I got it from is a good friend, but admittedly, he can't seem to work on cars very well. So, I doubt the fuel filter was EVER changed in the last 10 years. I do know that he was having problems keeping the car running/performing before he parked it, so... might be something that was already happening BEFORE it was parked 3 years ago. I'm certain everything is pretty gummed up.

As far as my operation of the choke goes.. let me walk you through how I got this thing started.

At first I thought I was having a flooding issue, so I ran some 2cycle in it just to deflood and lube everything up since its been so long. It would fire, but not start.. After playing with it.. I thought maybe it wasn't getting ENOUGH fuel.. so I pumped the gas a bunch while starting.. vroom.. started right up.. but only ran long enough to use up the fuel I pumped in. Wouldn't accept any further input from choke or throttle.

No matter WHAT position choke was in, it would die. I played with it a LOT. I'm 99% sure its a fuel delivery problem. I'm thinking fuel isn't able to fill the float chambers fast enough... ie.. clogged filter/bad fuel pump. We'll find out tonight.

is Kerosene a good solution to soak carb parts in? I have a couple gallons laying around that I could use. I'll buy carb cleaner if I have to, but I figured I'd use up this stuff while I had it.

racingbeast

?

micah

Thanks?

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

You should have to pump a few times before starting. Have you verified that the choke is working (pull out the know and see if the plate on the carb closes)?

The FSM can be downloaded here: http://foxed.ca/foxed/index.php?page=rx7manual

Download the '85 as it is closer in most areas to your car than the '80 manual. The FSM or Haynes manual will give you values for fuel flow and pressure testing.

micah

Yeah. the choke is working visibly.. I pull the handle and the plate closes... Pumping seems normal, yes.. but it should continue idling.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Sitting for 3 years, along with prior problems, definitly rebuild the carb, new fuel filter and check the screens under the banjo bolts. Old fuel must go and add a can of Seafoam to the fresh fuel.

micah

Will do! Just picked up a rebuild kit from Napa after doing some research through the FAQ on rebuild kits. This one appears to be higher quality. Also picked up some carb dip, a couple fuel filters, and I'll get some seafoam+new gas.

Wonder if the old gas will work in my lawn mower.. I'd hate it to go to waste.

--Micah