rx71985coupe

the car died from being started and wont start. I was trying to bring back from the dead from being started in several years. Can a rotary sieze up? This would be my first RX anything not knowing much about them except no pistons. The engine had oil, replaced fuel pump and starter. any help much appreciated

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

Do you have spark on all plug and gas delivery? Carb or FI? Does the engine spin over? How old is the fuel?

rx71985coupe

I haven't gotten to the spark plugs. it is Carb. the engine stopped turning. I had put new fuel in the tank mixed with some of the old and replaced the fuel pump (it was not working.)
The car is a 1985 GS model. I think its a FB 1st gen. I have to look. My first RX.... My first Mazda

lduley

iTrader: (1)

Ok, EVERYONE has a different definition of the word "turning over". Some people think it means it won't start but will roll over, and others think vice versa, so which is the problem? The engine isn't spinning over? Or it is and it won't start

rx71985coupe

its not spinning, moving. You hear the starter solenoid click. My first rotary. I know V's and inline. have to say, an awesome experience. I haven't been able to drive it yet. inherited and been trying to bring back from the dead.

heynoman

iTrader: (5)

Charge the battery and check your grounds.

rx71985coupe

battery was fully charged. Its also old, maybe not able to hold a full charge very long? Head lights and every indicator comes on.

lduley

iTrader: (1)

The rotary is no different than a piston engine except it does whirly do's instead of uppie downies

Make sure you can turn the engine over by hand just like any engine thats been sitting

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

+1

if you can't turn the engine over with a ratchet then it is seized and you should stop throwing money at random parts. a new fuel pump, or fuel filter, or transmission oil, or oil change, or new fuel, or muffler isn't going to make it go "rrrr, rrrrr, rrrrr, rrrrr"

yes it is possible to unseize an engine, but if the spark plugs have rust on them then your engine is game over, remove the plugs and inspect them for rust before doing anything else. if they're rusty then your engine is toasted. if there's no rust, then pump some ATF into the plug holes and down the carb and let it sit for a few days, then try rocking the engine main bolt back and forth with a long breaker bar.

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

Should the engine be in neutral when trying to rotate via the main pulley bolt?

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

i figured that would be self explanatory.

rx71985coupe

thank you all! Will See about rust and turning engine with breaker bar. hopefully no transmission oil is in the future for the engine....