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

Help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2006 | 09:08 PM
  #1  
83MazdaRX7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Help!

Ok, I recently acquired an 83 RX-7 that hasn't been ran in at least 7 years, maybe longer. Anyways, I put a new battery in it, checked the fluids, then put some gas into the carb. and then like 5 gallons in the tank (there was none in it), and it started for a sec. then shut off. as long as i put gas in the carb. it will run, but the shut off. I looked in the owners manual and can't find where the fuel filter or pump is. DOes it have them? I haven't had a chance to buy a rebuild book for it yet, so i don't know. Can anyone help me find out why the car isn't getting fuel?
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2006 | 09:12 PM
  #2  
Midwest 7's's Avatar
sellout
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence KS
its on the driverside of the car in front of the rear axle, there should be a cover over the pump but you ought to be able to see the filter. you could also pull the line by the carb and see if gas comes out when you turn the key.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2006 | 11:07 PM
  #3  
trochoid's Avatar
Old Fart Young at Heart
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 8
From: St Joe MO
Always replace the fuel filter prior to starting long term stored cars. The tank and fuel systems needs flushed and the carb most likely needs rebuilt.
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2006 | 08:30 PM
  #4  
83MazdaRX7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
ok guys. I changed the fuel filter and pulled the hose, nothing came out. I then unattached the hose from the fuel filter to the gas tank, and made it run from the fuel filter to a jar of gas. I tried starting again, and same thing. No gas disappeared. What is everyone feeling? Is it the fuel pump? (I also checked the fuse to the fuel pump and it was good)
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2006 | 09:42 PM
  #5  
trochoid's Avatar
Old Fart Young at Heart
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 8
From: St Joe MO
The 83s have no fuel pump relay, so the pump should be running with the key in the on position. Turn it on and listen for the pump.
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2006 | 11:59 PM
  #6  
rxtasy3's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 290
From: Spartanburg, SC
the carb is going to need a rebuild. the jets and passages are all stopped up with varnish. and like previous post, check to see that the fuel pump is working. if it doesn't work with the key on, u can always straight wire it.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2006 | 11:13 AM
  #7  
mysummerRX7's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Saint Paul
Hi Everyone. I'm new to this forum and need some help. I have an 83 RX7, it was a present from my father-in-law for my 40th birthday. This is my 4th summer driving it and it's been a blast. But last year, just before we put it into storage, it started running badly, and it's even worse since we took it out of storage this year. Once the car warms up and the manual choke goes in, the car won't idle. My husband put a new fuel filter in, plus new spark plugs and air cleaner. Last fall I loaned it to someone for a week and I think he put regular unleaded in it, rather than the premium stuff. We put Stabil in it for storage. We have a Chilton's repair manual but we still can't find the idle screw. Can anyone offer some suggestions? Thanks.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2006 | 11:27 AM
  #8  
bliffle's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
From: SF BayArea
You SHOULD use regular unleaded, not premium. Save your money and run better.

You might have clogged jets in the carb (try using one of those carb cleaners) or a dying fuel pump. I just replaced the fuel pump on my 85GSL because the car was starving when I ascended an upslope on the freeway. It was just 10% below specified fuel pressure. $50 from rockauto.com (and $100 to have the mechanic put it in).
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2006 | 11:35 AM
  #9  
Roundabout's Avatar
Village Idiot
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 1
From: Duluth, MN
Sounds like its time to rebuild the carburetor. I just picked up my car last winter (just south of St. Paul) and it had the same problem. I had to clamp a vice grip on the choke **** to keep it partially open to get the car home.
I recently purchased an extra carb and decided to swap it in... sure enough, the thing ran beautifully after that.
Rebuild kits for these are under $50, but rebuilding them can be tricky without experiance.

Last edited by Roundabout; Jun 14, 2006 at 11:37 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2006 | 06:59 PM
  #10  
83MazdaRX7's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
ok. I'm trying to take off the cover where the fuel pump is and the screws just keep spinning. The screws with the rubber washers, right? is there a trick to getting them off.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:56 PM.