Skylance

'79 12a with the standard Nikki. Cold start apparatus removed in favor of headers.

I don't think it's a problem with it being cold outside, it's a balmy 50 + here in NC.

It just quit starting a couple of days ago, and It has not started since. So far I've:

- Checked and cleaned battery terminals/posts
- Tried to "jump start"
- Tried to "drift start"
- Replaced fuel filter
- Replaced spark plugs
- Replaced Coils

I'm at a loss, I've got gas and I've got fire, what more do I need? Everything seems to be in working order, it just won't start! I've even tried to "drift start" it. It will sputter for 4 - 5 seconds before it dies again.

Thanks in advance for your help!

skizzle84

Do you have compression? I just got my car running yesterday when I replaced my fuel pump and filter. It also sent out a TON of smoke from some ATF i put in there to help regain compression a few days ago. my neighbors hate me.

Skylance

Compression seems to be fine, but I'm no expert on the matter.

ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid ???

SparkienSuggah

"drift start"??


TAKUMI!!!!!!!

anyways, just drag the bitch with your ford windstar until it runs good.. use the CHOKE and throttle modulation to keep it running and you should be fine.. be careful when the motor catches while dragging or you could be into the back of the minivan in under 3/10ths of a second.

furthermore, check the sight glasses in the carb.. they should be half full (half empty?)

Hades12

Check for fuel and spark, if you have them then tow start it.

Skylance

drift start = push the car, or let it roll down a hill. Then "pop" the clutch. Much like tow start, but without a chain.

I'll try the tow start method and the ATF when I get a chance.

Thanks!

MrFC3S

You too huh... my car wont run worth a crap ether... but i think i messed up the carb... WHAT IS IT WITH 79's IN NC!!!

btw, your the only person that i know of with an SA in NC other than myself...

Hades12

you know me, and I have a stack of them.

8 as of now. Including a 79 Limited.



Sky

Did you get NGK or Denso plugs? I have had good luck with Denso plugs starting hard to start cars.

One other tip, Get a battery charger with a 200Amp or better start feature, It helps a lot.

Skylance

MrFC3S
- Maybe its something in the air? lol Where are you in NC? I'm in Shelby ( 1hr West of Charlotte ).

Hades12
- Where are you at? Your profile has you listed in Snellville, GA.
- I got the NGK's. No stores around here carry anything for RX-7's! I had to ORDER spark plugs through Advance Auto! I could only order NGK or "Autolite". Needless to say, I ordered NGK. lol
- We should all meet up sometime if we are close.

Hades12

I am just West of Shelby when I am home to visit. Rutherford county.

Pepboys carrys the NGKS, I think you can get the Denso's at Autozone.

Skylance

Where is the closest PepBoys? I don't think we have one in Shelby do we? I'll remember to order the denso's from Autozone next time.

Be sure to let me know next time you are in the area. We'll hook up, do lunch, something.

Hades12

Gastona looks like the one nearest you.

http://pepboys.shoplocal.com/pepboys...43559403213677

Skylance

It's sad, I have to drive all the way to Gastonia JUST for spark plugs. lol

MrFC3S

Hades: You Have 8 SAs?.... WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED!!!! and what are better, the denso plugs or the NGKs?

Sky: Im in Knightdale, Which is 4 miles outside of Raleigh. CRAP!!!, the only people with an SA are in BumF***ed, Egypt...Keep up Posted on the situation... also did you check for Vacumm Leaks? Hows the carby on that thing?

Skylance

MrFC3S - I have no idea about the carb (the motor was replaced recently by the previous owner, so I would like to think they had the carb rebuilt/replaced at the same time, but I don't know) and I'm not sure what to look for concerning Vacuum leaks. I know enough just to barely get me by, I'm not a mechanical genius by any standard. But its on my list of things to do after I graduate and actually have spare time on my hands again. I'm new to this whole car fixing up tuning thing.

Hades12

MRFC3S My sis is at school at UNC. Check the sig for pics of the cars or I keep a thread of my new stuff here.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/new-additions-my-stable-407079/


Denso plugs are what is called for in the 79 and 80, NGK in the rest. I have just found that the denso will start a hard to start or flooded engine better then the NGK plugs, Dont know why.



Sky what changed the day you could not start the car? Do you still have the points? have you cleaned or replaced them?

Skylance

Hades12 - I pulled the distributor cap off and looked. Everything seemed to be in order, at least to my untrained eye. Again, refer to my previous post. Nothing changed the day it wouldn't start. At least nothing obvious . . .

Rob.W

Look inside the carbeurator and see if there's a puddle of gas in there. If not, you ain't getting gas and nothing will spark.

Hades12

Points could be damp.


Check all 4 plugs for spark. good way to do it is pull the boot off the plug. Stick a screw driver in and hold the insulated boot and insulated end of the screwdriver so the shaft is near the shocktower bolts. and have someone spin the engine over.

If you dis-like that person have them stick there finger in the boot while you spin the engine over.

Watch for spark or Cussing.

Skylance

Rob.W - I did that, and there is definitely no puddle of gas in the carb. It seems to be getting all the gas through. I know I'm getting gas through cuz when I pulled out the spark plugs to check compression, I could smell gas like I was swimming in it.

Hades12 - Ha ha, lol. damp Points actually sounds like it could be a viable possibility. Its been raining like crazy around here lately. How would I go about "undamping" them. I haven't checked for spark in the plugs since I just put those in. I'll check them out when I get a chance.

81gsl12a

iTrader: (1)

you may have just flooded the car ....(lol im another person from NC) try takin all the plugs out and crank the motor a few times get all the gas out of it you can also shoot a few shots of oil down the carbie it will help crank a efw times put plugs back in it and start it up

Hades12

Hair Drier.

They could have some rust on them also if they were wet. Spread them back and look at the contact points.

Skylance

81gsl12a:

- Where is Morganton?
- I did the pull the plugs out routine, but I haven't had a chance to pour oil/ATF into the carb. Can someone PLEASE tell me why this helps? I've heard it does help, but nobody ever says why. I need an explanation, not because I don't trust you people, I'm just curious and really really really want to know.

Skylance

Hades12:

- Hair dryer huh? COOL
- I'll check them out as soon as I can. Probably this weekend. It's usually dark by the time I get home from work.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

sky ..instead of puttin atf in the carb..get a milkshake straw..dip it in the oil bottle fold the end over so that it won't drip..put the straw into the plug holes and unfold the top of the straw..it allows you to know how much atf is in the engine,so to speak..before you start it..roll the engine over ..before the ATF.)20 sec..to expel fuel..and after 2-3 sec.to mix with any excessive fuel still in the housings ..then replace the plugs..she'll smoke when started..like a chimney..since you are carbureted..use the gas pedal sparingly..good luck..