I am trying to smog my 1987 na RX-7. When I bought spark plugs I got two leading and to trailing plugs. Which is which? I could use a good source for a tech anual for this car. Thanks

 

How badly did it fail Emissions? Not sure about CA but here in Colorado we'll title a car in the mountains to skirt the Emissions rules.

 

http://rx7city.com/88manual2.htm

There's a link to the S4 Factory Service Manual. Attached is the location of the plugs, courtesy of the FSM.

 

Thanks for the help. Got the plugs and wires changed out. Still did not pass smog. On to the o2 sensor. What I really need is a referral to a Mazda rotary mechanic in the San Diego area. I looked up spd but they didn't answer the phone. Mech-tech works on hi-po cars. I have a 1987 RX7 na and need help with smog now and some one to work on the car as needed. thanks

The car barely passed smog eight months ago and failed this week. High hc and no2. I am replacing the o2 sensor next. beyond that I need help. Do you know of a good rotary mechanic in the San Diego area. He doesn't have to be cheap just honest. Thanks

Thanks for the help. Could you recommend a manual for this car ?

It was high hc and high no2. Points toward the O2 sensor I hope. How costly are the cats. This is a ca. car. I think mine has two pre-cats and one cat . I would be inclined to replace both and get it over with. Thanks

You can get away with it here in California If you live in the mountains but I don;t think the old P.O. box trick works any longer.

 

Pick up a Haynes manual. Lots of pictures. And the FSM can be had here: http://foxed.ca/foxed/index.php?page=rx7manual

Not much in the SD area in the way of rotary shops (at least as far as I know). Here's one in Chula Vista:
Autotech Motorsports LLC, 286 Emerson St., Chula Vista, CA, 619-476-1663

Don't know anything about them, so you're on your own. Do a search of this forum for Autotech and read what people have said about them.

 

+1 on the Haynes. A lot like the FSM, but they take the time to walk you through each step. Chilton's is horrible. Honestly, use the search function on the forum as much as possible. Whatever problems you're encountering I can guarantee it's been covered.

 

Thanks for the help. I changed out the o2 sensor after changing plugs and wires. On first test car was high HC and high NOX. After second test the nox is well with in limits but HC remains high.Where is the a lean / rich adjustment ? Any leads on a cat for this Ca. car. 1987 rx7 13b auto. Thanks to all. Both smog testers said they think the car is fixable and can pass.

 

High HC *probably* means your car's ECU is not going into closed loop, or the cats are done for, or both. The first will cause the second.

You can probaby fix the mixture problem quite easily. First, make the famous $3 code checker and 'pull trouble codes'. Its a cinch; all you need is two LEDs, two resistors (1k ohms will do), some wire, and three male spade connectors. Google 'check 88 RX7 trouble codes' and you will find multiple write ups on how to do this.

If there are any codes, check the wiring to the offending sensor, then if necessary replace the offending sensor. Then check for codes again. Repeat until there are no codes. Then:

Check for closed loop operation at cruise rpm. This is easy, but crucial. it is probably why your car has high HCs; it likely is not seeing your new O2 sensor for some reason (bad wiring, corroded connector, etc etc etc). When it sees no O2 sensor it typically will run excessively rich, instead of hunting back and forth across the stoichiometric mixture as it should. The tester is simpler than the other; one LED, one resistor, two wires and two male spade lugs. Cost: about $1.50.

If it is not going into closed loop, it will run rich. Then the cat has to work overly hard to burn up all the raw fuel comng down the exhaust; the cat gets too hot, and eventually melts internally.

Make sure you have no codes, and that it is going into closed loop. Then get under the car and bang on the main (aft) cat with your fits or a rubber mallet. If you hear stuff rattling around inside, the cat is probably toast, so get another installed. If not, it may be ok.

Then: check the online FSM 86-88 N/A, fuel and emissions section. See the link in the FAQ section on this site. Per the FSM procedure, set the idle speed and idle mixture. Then set the TPS. You can use the cheap code checker you made to do duty as a TPS setting tool.

Check timing and advance (timing light, Harbor Freight, $17).

Then have it smog checked again.

If it still fails, come back here and we'll give you some more things to check.