Does anyone have a copy of the photo that rx7what posted in this thread? I am trying to get to the fuel rail, and have been stopped cold by the solenoid rack. I hoped it would be more simple once I had the UIM off, but I was very wrong... ;-)

 

IMO, you are better off removing the coils then unbolting the rack from the block. There are 3 bolts that hold the rack down to the block. After that, if you are just trying to get to the fuel rail, you will have enough free play in the rack to keep the fuel lines intact and then just pull it back a little.

 

Thanks again Mahjik.

BTW, I looked through the service manual, but I didn't find any step by step instructions on getting to the systems in the car. Lots of detail on how they work, but not a lot of help in removal or installation.

 

They don't really give a "step by step" in the manual. But usually if you look at the "overall" picture they give in certain areas, you'll see they label things with numbers. The numbers will correspond in the order they should be removed.

Which systems are you looking for? For the most part, when working on this car; if it looks like its in the way of where you need to go, remove it.

 

I have tried both methods to remove the solenoid rack. The smallest vise-grips, clamped on the screw heads, with the jaws in the plane of the screw axis (not from the side like a wrench on a bolt head), coupled with another set of pliers across the visegrip body to get some mechanical advantage, were the only way I could remove those small threadlocked screws. Trying to get the entire assembly out by removing the bolts on the large flanges was more trouble than it was worth. However, reassembling the solenoid rack after the small screws were out was one of the most frustrating jobs I have ever done. there are 3 "layers" of sheet metal at each end of the rack that have to line up exactly. I used a scribe through the holes to line them up so the screw would go through the first two holes and thread into the third, tapped hole, then clamped them together with the vise grips, then inserted the screw(s). Not fun at all.

 

I just used my power drill w/ a screw driver piece and they snapped off quite effortlessly. The trick was to apply allot of pressure so it won't strip the pattern.

 

Well, I am trying to get to my fuel rail as I have a fuel smell eminating from beneath the UIM.

I found two disturbing things when I opened the diagnostics box.

First, something was already jumpered in the diagnostic box. I didn't make a note of where it was jumpered, doh.

Second, when I did jumper the FP and ground nothing seemed to happen. I searched the manual pfd for "diag", but it found nothing.

Shouldn't I hear the FP cycle on when I jumper that connection? I had the battery hooked up.

Honda Helms manuals have lots of step by step guides. That is what I was expecting to find. All the horror stories I have read made me reticent to just remove stuff *****-nilly. If that is what is required that is what I will do. I hope I can get it all back together... :-)

 

Once you jump the two pins, you then need to get in the car and turn the key to ACC. That will power the fuel pump.

 

I will try that.

It is starting to look like maybe I ought to change my signature to "Thanks Mahjik..."

 

Good luck with everything, I suggest you check out this thread that I will post later. The guy already went through replacing a FPD and I am going through it right now. Let me tell you what a PITA for the first time doing it. If you don't have the patience or time, let a specialist do it for you. I started the day after Christmas and I am hoping today I will be able to start the car up again. I'm almost there!

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/upcoming-work-needed-fuel-smell-595408/

There you go! Make sure you replace your vac hoses if they haven't been already, I couldn't believe how brittle and hard some of those hoses were!

 

Since your there I would also check your fuel lines. I ended up replacing mine since I was there.

 

Yeah, beforehand I bought a fuel call recall kit, and the car already had silicone hoses. The fuel lines don't seem quite pliable, but I am sure it can't hurt to replace them.

Yeah, it is a little daunting. I will resume work on it this weekend.