Hey, i own an 1980 RX-7 that I bought new. Lsat week a very nice 1985 was up for sale that I bought for my college bound son. Runs nice, threw on new exhaust the other day. The only problem we are having is getting it started. It takes a lot of cranking to get it going then once started runs great. Please advise where to start trouble shooting. Plugs, wires, choke,,,,???

Thanks in advance,

Brett

 

I would start with a full tune up. If your son is going some distance away to college, you may wish to do the full 60k maintenance along with a Seafoam treatment and carb rebuild. FSM and Carb manual can be found in following link.

http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/manuals.html

It would also help if you provided more info about the car, mileage, model, condition, previous maintenance, etc..

 

I would start with the "infamous" fuel filter and change all fluids. Also check for old fuel this could also be a major issue. I also agree with Trochoid too.

 

Carb or Fuel Injection? Blue air cleaner box on top of engine=carb

 

Thanks so far.

The car has 100k miles on it, 1.3 12A engine, carbed,

Threw on new plugs and wires, better starting, but not satisfactory with winter coming in NY.

I will do the fuel filter next, avoiding carb re-build.

Look forward to any further suggestions.

My son's feet have not touched the ground since he has been driving this car..a new RX-7 head is born.

Brett

 

you may also want to drop the gas tank and have it professionally cleaned. the sock in the tank may be partially clogged or the pickup may be gummed up.

 

hell yeah, anywho like these people have suggested, change your fluids, i've noticed that my car gets a lot harder to start when it has a vacuum leak, you may wanna check for that it won't hurt anything, oh btw a 12a is 1.1L just FYI.

 

New distributor cap and rotor. Check timing. Both can significantly effect ease of starting. Be sure the battery terminals are clean and the cables are good.

Since you're checking things, look at this hose. https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/hose-question-750125/

 

I don't understand why some of you are pointing to fuel filter, dropping the gas tank, etc. if it runs great once he gets it started....

I would check the timing first thing. Then, as advised, procede with general tuneup items. Good luck.


.

 

on mine, if I turn the ignition on for about 15 seconds, wait, and then try starting it, it starts up immediately.

If I don't wait, it takes about 5 tries before it starts.

 

I'm with Kentetsu.

weak spark
air/fuel mixture - plugged jet or someone turned the screw.

What does it idle at after it starts?

 

Once started runs great, acts flooded on cold start.

Yesterday, add coolant light came on yet there is coolant. Any ideas out there would help. Going to look into it today.

Thanks for the help.

 

Im going with tune up ..... change cap & rotor, plugs and wires ..... my car had a hard time starting with some foul looking spark plugs ..... good luck and make sure you warm her up real good before you run her lol