free88rx-7given to me but it has an issue
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: connecticut
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
free88rx-7given to me but it has an issue
as a gm mechanic confused is what i am.my sister in law gave me an 88 rx-7 when she bought her new car.it has 50k on it and runs but runs like doodoo.she told me that the dealer told her that the something shaft had broken and that is why the car ran poorly.the shaft apparantly connects the 2 rotors to the flywheel to the trans.so my question to all you folks is how likely is it that this is true?put the key in and turn it ,it starts.all the accessories work.a/c alternator etc.all the belts spin.put the car in gear and it goes forward and backward.this leads me to believe that all is still connected in there.i am not a rotary mechanic however.so can i pull the plugs and check for compression like i would on a gm?do the normal diagnostics work for a rotary?what is the most likely cause?thanx in advance for the help!!!!!!
#3
Opinions are like........
50K miles is low. Hopefully it is something simple.
Pick up the $15 Haynes book and do some reading.
Exactly what shaft did they say was broken? Or is it the service managers common quote-- "we don't know, so tell her that she needs a new engine"....
Get a compression check from the Mazda dealer or any shop with a rotary compression checker. Don't go to the dealer that diagnosed it broken. There might have been newbie mechs there. If all six(3 readings from each rotor) are in spec, then give the car a good tuneup.
Spark plugs, oil/filter, air/fuel filters, thermostat(mazda), vacuum hoses replacement, timing/idle set, TPS set, FI cleaning.......
Pick up the $15 Haynes book and do some reading.
Exactly what shaft did they say was broken? Or is it the service managers common quote-- "we don't know, so tell her that she needs a new engine"....
Get a compression check from the Mazda dealer or any shop with a rotary compression checker. Don't go to the dealer that diagnosed it broken. There might have been newbie mechs there. If all six(3 readings from each rotor) are in spec, then give the car a good tuneup.
Spark plugs, oil/filter, air/fuel filters, thermostat(mazda), vacuum hoses replacement, timing/idle set, TPS set, FI cleaning.......
Last edited by deadRX7Conv; 06-25-02 at 10:44 PM.
#5
Rotorhead
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 0
Received 39 Likes
on
33 Posts
Re: free88rx-7given to me but it has an issue
Originally posted by goffredo6218
runs but runs like doodoo
runs but runs like doodoo
The eccentric shaft in the rotary engine is like the crank shaft in a piston engine. It wouldn't run if it were broken. It must be something else.
You can download the entire factory service manual at the below link which also has some other good info. It's pretty big, so save lots of room on your hard drive. The 88 manual is under How-To's/Manuals.
http://fc3s.org/
More stuff for RX-7 newbie mechanics:
http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/articles.php
http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/tech.html
http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/
http://www.mazdatrix.com/
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: connecticut
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
free rx-7 runs like doodoo info
the car does everything it is supposed to but runs roughly.the best i can equate to is a piston engine that drops a couple of cylinders.it just runs rough with lack of power.
#7
Super Raterhater
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Posts: 10,629
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
That can be a number of things. Does it rev up fine to a certain point then have issues? And the rough idle, what does it do, not want to idle, or does it hunt up and down? Also, does the car have any troubles starting, or does it start right up?
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: connecticut
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
free rx7 that runs like doo doo
the car starts quickly,idles rough but does not hunt up and down,will spool up rpm but is not responsive,takes afew seconds to build.makes no banging,clanging,loud or obvious noises.has exhaust exiting both tailpipes[although i dont know if there is a y or balance pipe under there so this may not be relevant] thanx for all the past and future help!!!!!!!!!!evil aviator thanx for the sites you left me they are excellent!!!!!!
#9
HAILERS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: FORT WORTH, TEXAS,USA
Posts: 20,563
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
20 Posts
Take both bottom plugs out. Place your finger on the front hole and have someone crank the engine. Feel the pulses of that hole. Now do the same with the rear hole. If you have a broken apex seal, you will feel the difference b/t one rotor and the other. If you have a busted one you won't have to ask what a good one feels like verses a bad one. You'll feel the difference. Prior to doing the above it might be a wise decision to pull the EGI fuse or pull the little white plug off the cas.
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: rock me amadeus...
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i'd do a full tune up like was previously suggested. and adjust the tps. run some MMO in the crank and the tank. and see if most of that doesn't go away sounds like just a lot of carbon build up.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rgordon1979
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
40
03-15-22 12:04 PM
Shainiac
Single Turbo RX-7's
12
07-17-19 02:20 PM