1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

GSL SE Randomly won't start without starting fluid.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-08-18, 03:32 PM
  #1  
Rotaries for life'
Thread Starter
 
WyomingTII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Lander, Wyoming
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
GSL SE Randomly won't start without starting fluid.

I've owned two FC Rx7's one of them a beast of a turbo car and yet I am getting my butt kicked by my relatively new (to me) GSL SE. It drove fine for awhile then after about 6 months of driving, it got acquired a seemingly intermittent bad miss fire at part throttle. Now that has gotten progressively worse and all of a sudden now it randomly won't start at all unless a give it a shot of starting fluid. This leaves me to believe that it is in fact not flooding as adding starting fluid (more fuel) to the mix wouldn't help it start.

Any ideas what it could be? I adjusted the TPS correctly but that didn't fix either of the problems. I'm thinking it could be the coolant temperature sensor? If so which one does the ecu read as there are multiple coolant temperature sensors.
Old 02-08-18, 04:38 PM
  #2  
Full Member

iTrader: (1)
 
wallyrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bucks County PA
Posts: 236
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You have owned several rx-7s and I don't want to insult your intelligence, but have you checked for vacuum leaks? My GSL-SE behaved similarly (albeit after sitting under a tree for years). I did a ton of diagnostic work, turned out the intake wasn't sealing properly were it connects in the middle. I wrapped duct tape around it and boom problem solved.

on to more serious issues:
-Bad water seal could display these symptoms. Maybe not the partial throttle misfire, but certainly the hard start.

-I have a feeling people will say stuck injector. I have never experienced this myself, but it seems to be common and could manifest itself in your symptoms.

As a general note: Don't rule out fuel flooding because starting fluid starts the car. Starter fluid will get your rotary going whether it's flooded with water, fuel, mouse turds, too much air, not enough air etc. Believe me, I love starter fluid, but it has taken me down the wrong path many a time.
Old 02-09-18, 07:52 AM
  #3  
Senior Member

 
Freeskier7791's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Clemmons, NC
Posts: 749
Received 34 Likes on 28 Posts
Have you checked the fuel pump? Could have been starting to go and then quit on you
Old 02-09-18, 09:49 AM
  #4  
Always Wanting to Learn

iTrader: (49)
 
DreamInRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cambridge, Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
Coolant temp sensor shouldn't prevent it from at least firing if it's getting the right amount of fuel and air.
Old 02-09-18, 11:08 PM
  #5  
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton

 
LongDuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,312
Received 357 Likes on 248 Posts
Also worth checking the wiring harness that runs under the Upper Intake Manifold and carries the Injector pigtail leads. With the engine running, or part throttle, grab that harness and push, pull, etc to be sure its not an intermittent lead. If it drops out of throttle, you may have found your problem. Same thing for the temp sensor at the back of the waterpump which is used for cold start ECU map.

other than this, does it hot and cold starg as expected? It should have specific timings like 30s for high idle rev during cold start with cold outside air temp, along with a clutch in vs. clutch out idle speed adjustment.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MeCalledEvan
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
12
11-12-10 10:34 AM
dkwasherexd
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
10-27-09 10:42 AM
Siraniko
West RX-7 Forum
32
04-02-08 11:00 PM
jonesfromindia
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
5
08-06-07 10:39 PM
GeorgeB
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
8
09-12-01 09:42 AM



Quick Reply: GSL SE Randomly won't start without starting fluid.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 AM.