i just got a hold of a first gen rx-7 that had been sitting for a little while i towed it home and now need to get it running. i know nothing about a rotary engine and need some help

 

oh boy, you will probaly get a lot of responses on what to do...but first, change all the fluids. (ie: oil, tranny , rear end , ant-freeze and brake fluid. add marvel mystery oil in with the oil ( maybe a 1/2 pint )...helps lubricate ...everyone one the forum will tell you that one...rotarys smoke at first so don't be alarmed with that...hopefully, some of the guys out there can give you some links to help you along...good luck

 

oh lord, where to start, pull the plugs and see if you can turn over the engine, either pull on the belts or raise the rear tires, put in gear and turn the tires,,,ok the engine seems free, put about an ounce of marvel mystery oil into the lower plug holes, do this and turn the engine again by hand about 45 degrees, put another ounce of mmo in the lower holes, do this two mores times and let the car sit at least overnight, in the mean time check if u are getting gas to engine, unplug the larger fuel line hose (near the windshield) turn on key, are u getting gas, yes is good no means either the pump is not working or no volts to the pump which is located next to drivers rear tire under a small metal cover, if its got voltage then you have a fuel line or filter clogged, i had to replace my tank (25 bucks at bone yard) because it had sat up a couple of years and got rusty,,,when u get the fuel problem corrected now you can turn over the engine a few times to throw out some of the mmo,,,put the plugs back in and see if she will fire up,,,it will most likely smoke alot till the mmo burns off (3-5 minutes,) i also had to rebuild the carb cause of lotst of sediment in places,(20 bucks), but u can dump just a little fuel down carb to see if she will fire up, just for fun....hope this helps,,,im sure someone here will always be avaible to help,,,what year and model did u get by the way?

 

How long has it been sitting?

It's probably a good idea to replace all the belts if it hasn't been run in a long time.

 

you will definetly need to get a haynes manual, about 15 bucks or buy one off ebay for 5 bucks,,,it will be your bible for the next few weeks,,,,

 

ok yes it's getting gas
it's an 85 gs with a 12a motor (carb)
it's getting fire
it's been sitting about 1 year but it was started weekly until it wouldn't start
i went through and checked all the vacuum hoses and connected whichever applied

the ppl that had it before said that it used to backfire a little and the last time they started it, it backfired and died. no such luck since

 

one more thing i wanna get the engine to start and then i'll take care of all the maint. i want to know if it's going to run before i spend too much money on it

 

backfiring, might be the timing is off, could be fouled plugs, bad igniter, could still be carb related, if it hasnt been rebuilt, might be time..........

 

about how much does that run about and would that possible fix it

 

carb kit 20 bucks, my accelerator pump was dried out and split causing fuel not to be pumped into carb,,,it comes with the kit, u can rebuild the kit w/o removing carb, just dont drop any of the small screws and have plenty of light and a small magnet to retrieve those dropped screws...how many miles does your car have, and how many owners?

 

that's not so bad. where would i get one, auto zone???

 

i got mine at roy rogers in memphis, napa i think has them if az doesnt.. have u tried pouring just a small amount of gas down carb? and it acts like it wants to start?,,,also, u may be able to check out a haynes at the library....

 

i've tried starting fluid down the carb no luck.
the car has had one owner and is sitting at about 140,000 miles

 

Does it smell like its flooded??? If you think it is flooded go here and they explain to you how to unflood it. If you think it is the timing, on my 79 I had to take it out line up the marks on both engine, and distributer and re-stab it. Well hope this helps!!! Are you in Dallas, Texas, or what??? LATERZ,
Andrew

 

are u getting fire from at least one of the plugs from the top and bottom, they each have there own igniter....if ur getting fire and fuel than it should fire up,,,cant believe the timeing would be that far off by just sitting,,,,,,

 

i'll check the onflooding procedure
maybe timing b/c it was backfiring before it died
i'm getting fire on all 4 plugs, checked 'em
yes i'm in dallas actually garland/richardson

 

ok i'm going to go try the unflooding procedure real quick
tell you how it turns out

 

ok tried the first of the unflooding procedure. no go.
before i try the second of the 2 i might need a new battery
also need to go get the tools

 

when u press on the gas do u see any gas squirting into carb,,,here is a link that u should bookmark, more to come , i will put them in your private message,,ok.......http://pittdp.homestead.com/underhood.html

 

My RX-2 had been sitting for 5 years (!). I ATF'd it overnight, put in new plugs, drained the gas tank, and pulled the top of the carb off to clean the float bowls out. It started right up on the first turn of the key

 

Made you smile, I imagine. Every spring for 17 years now, I get the same smile.

-John.