ncguy

1989 RX7 GXL, 5 speed. Owned car 7 years, used as a pleasure car, always garaged and taken care of however it ran crappy back in May and has been sitting ever since. I thought it was something wet and would dry out but it is not. I've been told it's a bad apix seal (?) and had low compression. What is the cost to fix something like this and what it the cars value as-is? It just turned 100,000 miles, it's a champagne color with burgandy cloth interior. Should I bother fixing it [I've been told they're very expensive to repair] or just sell it for parts? Thanks.

5 point whoa

were are you in Wilmington?? I might come and get it from ya, how much ya want, I'd give ya like 600$. were is the car, i'll come check it out, I'm in wilmington(in North Chase)

MtnRacer

If an actual compression test was performed and it didn't pass, then it needs a new/used motor($1-3k) or a rebuild($1-2k). Sell it whole to 5point or part it out. If this is just the mechanics best guess, then I would seek a second opinion. Good luck.

Steve

ncguy

I think I'll hold out before taking $600

ncguy

I must have been typing while you were posting. I don't know, it was diagnosed as having low compression. It will start [but not easily] and runs very crappy and is not drivable.

Audiofight

Sounds exactly like when my 88 blew a rear apex seal last July....stalled out at 50 mph in 5th gear. Started it up by flooring it and holding the gas down some. 0 psi compression on the rear rotor. 98 psi on the front. Sucks.

Unfortunately, these cars never hold their value unless a TII. I would say fix the car and keep it around for fun.....you won't be able to get your money's worth out of it either way.....

87turbo2

I say fix it. You can have way too much fun in these things. Plus, I'd hate to see another 7 bite the dust
I acnt talk to much though, I'm on # 10

ncguy

Well if it's 1-2K for a rebuild I must say it's a goner. A shame, it's otherwise a very nice car. My wife had a 1987 Turbo II [when we met in 1990] but it was soon traded. It was a fun/fast car but it always had problem after problem. I hear they're worth some $ now but considering the $ saved through all those years [going by it's reliability], I'm certain I'm well ahead of the game. I bought the '89 in 1996 used from a neighbor who had children, it had 60,000 miles and I paid $4000 so getting almost 50K trouble free miles out of it has proved well for the $. Don't know for sure what to do, sell whole, part it out [U pick] or donate as a tax credit on it's full value. Thanks

5 point whoa

I'll still take it for 600$, might give ya a little more if i come see it

scathcart

No one else notices that the S5's did not come in that colour combination? The burgundy S5 interior colours was rare (non-existant in Canada), and AFAIK, no S5's came stock with the champagne colour.

Thus, the car is most like NOT a 1989.

ncguy

I don't know what an S5 is or means but it IS a 1989, it IS Champagne and it DOES have the burgandy interior, GUARANTEED!

5 point whoa: I may be in touch with you!

scathcart

Can you look on the firewall for me, and get the paint code? It will be on a small plate attached to the right hand side of the car (passenger side). The paint code is a two digit code.

Zero Cylinder

if you're in NC.... www.rotaryresurrection.com

ncguy

3G, is that it?

ncguy

I checked out that rotaryresurrection site, they're in TN not NC. The listed prices for a rebuild, including shipping and any extras [if found to be necessary] easily exceeds $2000 not including the removal/installation. At that cost there's no way I can justify fixing it.

scathcart

Shadow silver metallic was champagne?
I don't think they have that colour code for cdn cars.

C-Ross'90'RX-7

Hi,
I'm brand new to the site. I purchased my first RX-7 a beautiful red 2 gen twin rotary automatic on ebay. I got the car running great and it has made 1 trip from florida to mass and back no probs. I seem to ahve a problem with a power issue. The car starts fine and I have to have it idling at 2000 cold, the reason however is... By the time the car warms to N.O.T. (Normal Operating Temp.) it idles around 700 and if I shift the rpm drops way down almost to a point that it stalls. Then picks back up. No idea what could be the problem. Garage guys say its not timing. They could only offer bad seals. It's also a little sluggish off the line. But after 2000RPM it picks up like my moms V6 (which is in a puny Olsmobile) and takes off. My Roomate thinks that's exhaust compr and I agree but I'm still bafffled at the rpm drop in changing gears. The car also does a half clunk noise in droping from 2nd to first when slowing down. If any bodies got some insight drop a line I could really use soem help.

ncguy = unfortunately unless you've got a friend with a hoist and a free 3-4 day weekend there's no real way to find a cheap rebuild for rotaries because most parts are closed market (Which means everybody gets their parts from the same place), and everbody thinks they're a pain (shrug). Not sure about apex seals but I know that manufacturer was gonna charge me 5.50 per apex spring and 50.00 per seal. Not too bad but just for those seals on 2 rotars your lookin min parts 333.00. If anybody can get cheaper please let me know! I've been lookin for about a year.

Thanks appreciate the help

F1blueRx7

iTrader: (5)

C-ross, You may have a vacuum leak, Check compression first if compression is strong, then look for broken / unplugged hoses. Also, put your questions in new threads. ncguy would appreciate the focus of the thread staying on his question.

NCGUY, My advice: take it to kevin at rotary resurrection, tell him you want the rebuild done and the removal/installation, and nothing else. According to his pricing guide it should cost exactly 1600 dollars for him to remove, rebuild and replace the engine. His customers all praise the work that he does. IT IS economical to do this since that 1600 bucks can probably give you another 60k miles if you take care of it.
-Mike

5 point whoa

ncguy, is it a 5 spd??

ncguy

Thanks for the additional info/help.

Yes, it is a 5 speed

82_annrx7

Yep... he said it in the first line.

RunningDeer

Have you checked with guys at Mazda Sports Car Club of NC? I wouldn't do anything without checking with them first. I'm pretty sure a few members live near you and several real experts too. Good Luck.

MaxRX7

ncguy, I'm going through something like this now. Car sat for 6months and I bought it cheap because of the seized engine, but I got the engine running again.

2 questions:
1-your car starts, but does it idle, do you have to give it gas to keep it from turning off, and
2-does the car have those automatic seatbelts

C-Ross'90'RX-7

f1blueRx7: Thanks for the info I didn't mean to intrude though sorry guys I'll post a new thread. But thanks again

ncguy: good luck on the repair I have info for apex seals check out this auction on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2440974013
it's goin for like 200.00 for 6 new performance carbon seals 2mm and their corner seals. Damn good deal. It might help if someone rebuilds the engine if you''ve already got the parts. Good luck

ncguy

MaxRX7:

In response to your post:

2 questions:
1-your car starts, but does it idle, do you have to give it gas to keep it from turning off, and
2-does the car have those automatic seatbelts

It would still start with a lot of effort and would idle. I thought something got wet and tried to run it up the road but it lacked power. Currently the battery is dead from sitting. It is not drivable as it is.

Yes, it has the automatic seat belts