Dead in the water
05-29-03, 05:26 PM
#1
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Dead in the water
I recently acquired an 85 rx-7 GLS.... the body and interior are in excellent shape, as well as the driving abilities and characteristics. Mechanically, it all seems to run perfectly, but there is one problem.
After driving around for about 1/2 hour or so, the car will suddenly spudder out and die. When attempting to restart, the engine will crank over just fine, but will behave as if not getting any gas. If the car sits for a day or so, it will again run perfectly for about a half hour. But it has to sit for at least a few hours (overnite in my experience) before it will resume to run properly.
I have had a few speculations. At first, I thought it may be the coil overheating and then not producing enough juice for proper spark. Then, after reading through my Haynes manual, I am also curious if the air control valve could be at fault. My presumption to support the latter scenario would be that the vacuum system builds pressure over the duration it is in operation and quits running until the pressure has had time to relieve itself, hence the air control valve being in erronious function.
If anyone has had a similair problem or some input on the situation, I'de greatly appreciate it!
-Galen (RX-7, NSU, SE5 enthusiast)
After driving around for about 1/2 hour or so, the car will suddenly spudder out and die. When attempting to restart, the engine will crank over just fine, but will behave as if not getting any gas. If the car sits for a day or so, it will again run perfectly for about a half hour. But it has to sit for at least a few hours (overnite in my experience) before it will resume to run properly.
I have had a few speculations. At first, I thought it may be the coil overheating and then not producing enough juice for proper spark. Then, after reading through my Haynes manual, I am also curious if the air control valve could be at fault. My presumption to support the latter scenario would be that the vacuum system builds pressure over the duration it is in operation and quits running until the pressure has had time to relieve itself, hence the air control valve being in erronious function.
If anyone has had a similair problem or some input on the situation, I'de greatly appreciate it!
-Galen (RX-7, NSU, SE5 enthusiast)
05-29-03, 07:41 PM
#3
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Location: Huntsville, Alabama / Atlanta, Georgia
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sounds like something in your fuel system... when u let it sit, the crap settles to the bottom, when you drive, you shake it up and try to burn it...
go with danny's suggestion
go with danny's suggestion
05-29-03, 07:56 PM
#4
I read your email
Re: Dead in the water
Originally posted by Galen
...but will behave as if not getting any gas.
...but will behave as if not getting any gas.
--Bob
05-29-03, 09:46 PM
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Definately sounds like it is fuel. I just changed the fuel pump, filter, and reset up the carb because of similar issues.
A few things I had to do are as follows:
1) Bad gas in the car. Added gas treatment then added as much good gas as possible.
2) New fuel filter. If it is really dirty then it should be replaced and also apply point #1. Old gas or dirt in the tank will clog your filter.
3) Make sure your carb has the correct air/fuel mixture. Can be adjusted by the screw(s) at the base of the carb. Be careful with this one though, it is really sensitive.
4) Try changing the oil and the oil filter. Wankels are notorious for either not starting or not running properly if your oil isn't clean.
Those are the things I had to go through to get mine going. Mind you, mine had sat for 3 years before I put her back together again.
Good luck with it.
A few things I had to do are as follows:
1) Bad gas in the car. Added gas treatment then added as much good gas as possible.
2) New fuel filter. If it is really dirty then it should be replaced and also apply point #1. Old gas or dirt in the tank will clog your filter.
3) Make sure your carb has the correct air/fuel mixture. Can be adjusted by the screw(s) at the base of the carb. Be careful with this one though, it is really sensitive.
4) Try changing the oil and the oil filter. Wankels are notorious for either not starting or not running properly if your oil isn't clean.
Those are the things I had to go through to get mine going. Mind you, mine had sat for 3 years before I put her back together again.
Good luck with it.
05-29-03, 11:21 PM
#6
If you have the stock fuel pump, that would be my first guess. You would think that if there was a bunch of crap in the filter it would clog up right away or run poorly not just all of a sudden die. My SA had the same problem, it would just die all of the sudden. It ended up being the fuel pump and so for a temporary fix untill I got the new one was to just give the protective cover under the pump a good rap with a large crescent wrench and it would start pumping again.
05-29-03, 11:40 PM
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i would say go ahead and change out the fuel filter, the oil, oil filter, and air filter. these are cheap things, that can end up saving you a lot of time and effort. if things still aren't running right, i would go ahead and check the fuel pump pressure... as it might be going out (mine was)
jeff
jeff