2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

87 rx7 that wont start

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Old 04-11-03 | 01:27 AM
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87 rx7 that wont start

I am new to the whole rotary thing, and I just got a 87 rx7 non turbo from a guy for cheap. The only problem is it wont start. I have cheaked the coils, crank angle sensor, fuel pump, fuel filter. And it still wont start, I have been told it might be the timing but what do I do to set that, and what else might it be?
Old 04-11-03 | 01:38 AM
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compression?
Old 04-11-03 | 01:47 AM
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you can hear some compression out the exhaust
Old 04-11-03 | 01:50 AM
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Flooded..

There is a million threads about this...

Here is a link for ya.

http://www.rx7.com/tech/unflood-fc.html

Jarrett
Old 04-11-03 | 02:05 AM
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thats probly it when I cheaked the plugs there was gas on them.

thanks alot!!
s
Old 04-11-03 | 02:15 AM
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No prob..
Old 04-12-03 | 11:08 AM
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I tried both flooding precidures a few times and it didnt work. Do you think it might be a problem with low compression?
and how do you time the rx7 if it wont start?
Old 04-12-03 | 02:49 PM
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Okay, timing an RX is EASY! But your timing probably isnt off. You can either do a search, or download the FSM at WWW.FC3S.org.

Check to make sure you have spark, and fuel. If you have both, and the ATF trick didnt work, its time for the tried and true push/pull start.

Jarrett
Old 04-12-03 | 03:25 PM
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how do you tell if your crank angle sensor is bad? I cheaked the ohms and they were fine but I was told that might be my problem. The plugs are getting spark and there is fuel going in. And the car is an automatic so I dont thin the push/pull start is going to work.
Old 04-12-03 | 03:38 PM
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I couldnt find anything about timing it on that sight.
Old 04-12-03 | 04:59 PM
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do you have anymore sights that explain how to set the timing?
Old 04-12-03 | 05:04 PM
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I don't think it is the timing, and if I were you I wouldn't mess with that. Just hook it to a truck with a tow strap and pull it off in 2nd gear, if it doesn't start then you can screw with the timing.


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Old 04-12-03 | 05:06 PM
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That will work with an automatic?

And the only timing thing that I could find was telling you how to do it with the car stared, and if I cant get it started how am I going to do that?
Old 04-12-03 | 05:12 PM
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Do you have an automatic, and if you do did you try the ATF unflooding method.
Old 04-12-03 | 05:14 PM
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Is that when you take the egi fuse out and turn it with the gas to the floor?

Last edited by eric5ooo; 04-12-03 at 05:16 PM.
Old 04-12-03 | 05:15 PM
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My rx7 is an automatic
Old 04-12-03 | 05:26 PM
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Oh, that sucks autommatic, I have a 5-speed I will sell you. No the ATF (automatic tranmission fluid) unflooding is when you pull the top spark plug (I think I dought it would matter if you put it in the top or bottom plug holes) put about 2-4 oz. of ATF in the combustion chamber. Then pull the EGI fuse and crank the engine over for about 15 seconds with the gas pedal all the way to the floor, and the plugs out, after doing that put the plugs back in, and put the fuse back in. (Also leave the spark plugs unplugged.) Then try to start the engine, if it has been flooded or has low compression it should start up with this trick with no problem. But it will smoke very heavily for a couple of minutes.
Old 04-12-03 | 05:30 PM
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Yup, ATF time... Make sure when you are unflooding with your plugs off and the EGI fuse out, that you are FLOORING the car. (Helps unflood).
Old 04-12-03 | 06:29 PM
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THANKS! i just joined this site, cause i bought an87 as well and had this exact problem, was so confused because i had just drivne it the day before fromt he roadside, to my parking spot, and then it wouldnt work anymore, crazy!! the ATF trick fixed that
Old 04-12-03 | 07:49 PM
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I tried that too and it didnt work.
Old 04-12-03 | 07:51 PM
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I didnt mention it but the car had sat for 2 yrs. before I bought it. does that bring any problems to mind?
Old 04-12-03 | 08:10 PM
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Your problem sound like one I had. My car died one day and I couldn't get it started to save my life. I had fuel, compression, spark but the car wouldn't run. The plugs didn't look too bad but they had been in there forever so I invested in a new set and the car has run fine since.

Chuck
Old 04-12-03 | 08:17 PM
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Dont give up yet.... That 2 year old motor is going to take some coaxing to get started. Be prepared for the eventually that it wont start at all. I dont think that you can tow start an automatic, but I could be wrong. You may want to consider that too.
Old 04-12-03 | 09:25 PM
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It wouldn't hurt to take a few minutes to check for ECU codes to make sure that the computer is happy.

http://home.rmci.net/panther/ecu_codes.htm

Like J-Rat just said, it can take some time repeating the unflood procedure over and over to unflood a rotary. You have to be patient and persistent.

It also helps to jumper your battery to another car (with that car's motor running.) You don't want to flatten your own battery from constantly spinning your own motor, and you want to keep the voltage as 'strong' as possible so that you starter motor is spinning as fast as it can, giving you the best chance to both spit out fuel and start the motor.

Another unflooding link:
http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/flooding.html

You've said that you have fuel and spark. If you have air (have you checked that the AFM plug is on properly and securely?), then the motor will start. Be persistent, follow the de-flood instructions as closely as you can, and the motor will start for you.
Old 04-12-03 | 11:35 PM
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Originally posted by Amur_
It wouldn't hurt to take a few minutes to check for ECU codes to make sure that the computer is happy.

The 87 doesnt store codes. Until the motor is running, there is no way to pull any codes.

Jarrett



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