Fine2NR

I heard from my mechanic that the car needs to be driven daily to keep the rotary reliable. My car has been in the shop for over a year getting exterior mods done. Should I be worried?

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

All cars deteriorate if left to sit, not just RX-7s.

The info in this page will help you:
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

RotaryRocket88

iTrader: (7)

At the very least, you should start the motor up from time to time. You don't necessarily need to drive it around.

Fine2NR

Awesome! Thanks for the link. I was worried for a little bit because my car was sitting for over a year.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

The one thing that would worry me is if I hadn't put Sta-bil in the gas, and the gas has gone bad and started to varnish on the injectors.

It's also good to have a fresh change of oil in the engine when you take it off the road for a while.

However, I wouldn't let this become an excuse for your mechanic to drive it unless you really really trust them.

Dave

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

That's about one of the worst things you can do.

Unless the engine is brought to full operating temperature, just letting it run will build up moisture and carbon. This won't get purged out as the engine won't experience high temperatures nor enough vacuum to activate the purge system.

A car needs to be properly stored if it's sitting. "Sitting" means 6 months or more.
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/storage.htm

Anne87RX

If your car sits for a time, it will become more reliable as the days pass that you actually drive it. I was told to drive it weekly so the rotors don't rust up.

cpa7man

iTrader: (2)

I would run 1/2 oz per gallon of Marvel Mystery oil (MMO) or a good 2 cycle synthetic to help with the motor internals on a motor that sits. I run it in mine. Now this is in addition to the oil metering pump. If you search for premix or MMO you will find lots of info.

Aaron Cake has some great advice above.

azclouds

iTrader: (2)

Since it has now been sitting for a year or so, I would have the gas tank drained and flushed out. Sta-bil is good , but I would want to make sure there was not already gunk in the gas tank. (especially if you bought the car from somone and you don't know if they ever had the gas tank flushed) If you fill it with gas all of the gunk would probably be stirred up and when you start it will go into the carb. etc. It sounds like you are putting money in to the car to fix it up, so a few dollars extra to flush out the tank would be a small expense.
The comment about starting the car up and letting it run for a few minutes building up moisture is correct. It is best to run the engine until it becomes hot, and then let it run a bit longer as the engine needs to become hot to evaporate the moisture.

BlowenByTwins

iTrader: (6)

+1

letting it sit will let the seals dry out and such, the motors meant to run so give it what it wants

KelsoFC3s

yea at least drive it a few times a week,it craves it