im nodnarb

so i got up this morning early to get some crap from walmart and i drive there, the car is running good. just got my exhaust put on yesterday, so i wait for the car to warm up and then i punched it...drives and sounds perfect. i get back out from walmart and go to start my car and its idling horribly and the whole car is shaking. it sounds fine if you hold the rpm's above 2k, but when i let off the car starts shaking bad again and it dies. i figured, heck i'll drive it home. well, the car has no power whatsoever. i barely made it from one end of the parking lot to the other. i swear, this car is gonna get it. every week its something different. anyone have any clue what this might be? thanks

im nodnarb

its an 88 gxl. just finished replacing the pulsation damper yesterday. and now this.

13bturbo2

make sure your afm is positioned correctly...if its slightly slanted or basically not facing straight this could be causing your bad idle and loss of power...can't shift over 3rd gear i'm guessing eh? see if its that otherwise it might be something else...anyone have an opinion?

89gtufc3s

It looks like it might be the BAC valve. Im haveing the same problem right now, but only sometimes and not nearly as bad as yours.

im nodnarb

sucks bc its sill at walmart. too windy and cold to do much of anything. is it possible its a bad vacuum leak?

ilike2eatricers

Check the codes? Do you still have the stock cat?

05fc3s

hey i had a simmilar problem with my 88 fc gtu non turbo. i just blew out my clutch ... but before it happened i experienced major power loss. i would really have my clutch checked and play with your butterfly vaulve a little. here. that should help too a little. i had a shakey stick too, but i somehow got it to be smooth idoling... right at 750rpms.

http://clubfc3s.com/iboard/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=3255&

b18crx

iTrader: (3)

im having this same problem with my 86' base and my friend thinks its leaky or clogged injectors (been reading a lot about this problem and cant remember which he said) anyhow im getting them cleaned soon ill let you know if it cures my problem. peace -mike

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

Compression check.

www.rotaryresurrection.com ---> tech ---> compression check

Then troubleshoot further.

mwpayne

Yep..I have a bad feeling...the symptoms bring back a few crappy memories.

im nodnarb

sucks...cant do much with it till monday. once again, the seven is undriveable. if i didnt love this car so much, i swear i'd get rid of it.

Squints338

Sounds like a bad MAFS. It happened on my friend's RX7, and we replaced it, and his car ran perfect like before.

rs_1101

it sounds like a bad sideseal. check the compression before you go buying a new whatever.

SpAm@FC

iTrader: (4)

i had the same problem on my 87 turbo!

i'Ve blown one Trail and one lead spark plug!

pls check your plugs before you do anything other! will save much much time

im nodnarb

well, today brought bad news. got the idle fixed. old/cracked vaccuum line. but figured out my power loss was due to the fact that the fuel pump was pumping only 40 psi as opposed to the 65-80 that the service manual calls for. so tomorrow we'll replace the pump and hope that cures the power loss. and hopefully this will be the end of my seven's problems for a little while...knock on wood

im nodnarb

okay. new fuel pump didnt solve my power loss. a mechanic friend of mine told me that it would since the pump wasnt putting enough pressure through, it was causing the injectors not to work. well, with a new fuel pump, i still have no power whatsoever. im about to go crazy trying to figure out what the problem is. any suggestions?

ilike2eatricers

Did you check the fuel pressure after putting in the other pump? Clogged injectors? Clogged fuel filter (in the engine bay)? Have you done a tune up yet? Spark plugs? Check TPS and timing?

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

<beats head against wall>

rs_1101

werd.

im nodnarb

fuel pressure was good. just had a tune up not too long ago. fuel filter in the engine bay should be in tomorrow. i dont have a way to test compression...without taking it somewhere. doh.

im nodnarb

guess i'll try the poor man's way. frustration often lead's way to not reading things carefully lol

ilike2eatricers

Go to your local autoparts store and just buy a standard piston compression testor. Works good enough and is cheap.

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

Quote from my writeup (which you've evidently failed to even look at):

"Often people chase after problems with their RX-7 for many hours, even weeks at a time. My first rule of troubleshooting a rotary engine is to first perform a compression check. IF this reveals no problems with the short block/internals, then a control system or condition is at fault. I have looked at, worked on, or purchased many 7’s which had blown engines, all the while the pervious owner thought there was a fuel pump, fuel filter, sparkplug, coil, computer, etc. problem causing the car not to run properly."

im nodnarb

okay heres the deal. compression was good (poor man's way)...replaced the spark plugs...fuel filters. still no power. noticed some backfiring and lots of smoke when the car is over 5k rpms. i replaced the pulsation damper...so i went back and checked all my vacuum lines, electrical connectors etc. still no power. hm. frustrating i tell ya. especially when its the only car you have to drive.

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

Well then sounds like a primary injector not firing. Pull your UIM, pull back the primary injector rail with injectors installed and plugged in, tie the injectors to the rail securely, disable your coils, and have someone crank the car while you observe output of the injectors. One of them might not be firing by the sound of it.