Okay, guys, I need help here b/c I need to get my RX working as quick as possible. '89 Vert, no mods to my knowledge. The car wouldn't start yesterday, it did the same thing it did last time I had a problem. Last time it was b/c I had forgot to change the air filter. Start, rev up, die down to stall. Today, after about fifteen minutes of trying, it started. It smoked really bad and the engine was vibrating badly. The exhaust noted was sounding more like a harley than my RX. It was constantly chopping. I'm hoping that someone can help me out here. Thx in advance.

 

Uh oh..,. warm it up and do a compression check.

Jarrett

 

Yeah.. with what you described it sounds like the worse of possibilities.

 

a pipe may have come loose/split somewhere after the airflowmeter. check your intake track. a common problem is the pipe from the airbox to the turbo is split. don't worry about the shaking engine thats it just struggling with the air/fuel mixtures.

what did the smoke smell like, if it was fuel your car is flooded and is going to make it a b*tch to start. put accel to floor and crank it for a while.

 

The car was a bitch to start today...it wouldn't yesteday...I'm gong to check tomorrow on the airhose after the airflow, although I don't have turbo, so that's definitely not it, Jrat, sonic...I know you two know what you're talking about but did you have to say that? =( I need to know how to do a compression check and I also need to know what to get a hold of tools wise...I've only had my rotary since last June or so...it's also in need of an oil change...not to mention the filter, could this be causing the problem?
Thx again.

 

Make sure the AFM's electrical connector is on good. What you described sounds like when you leave it unplugged. Have you been working on anything on the engine recently?

Compression check - modify/remove/hold down check valve on gauge, EGI fuse out, engine warm, throttle to the floor. You're looking for three even pulses.

 

Check the spark plugs, My vert had problems with starting until the engine got warm. Check if you are getting spark( use a timing light). My leading plug on the front rotor had a crack in the insulation.

Even tho this may not be your prob, its easy to check and should be one of the things you check first.

Toan

BTW,
The cause of this was because my coolant seals let go and had to do the block repair.

 

my motor shook really bad when i was a quart and a half low and it was very nasty oil mine was a turbo II 87