hcaulfield57

iTrader: (1)

Hi all,

I haven't driven my RX-7 in awhile, and I'm trying to get it up and running again. Right now, I'm having an issue getting the car to idle.

About a year ago, I messed with the idle mixture adjustment (I don't remember what I did) in order to get the car to pass emissions. The car passed emissions, and I didn't really drive it much after that point. About a month ago, I started the car and found that, while the car will start just fine, it will not idle. What happens is that the car will start immediately, the idle will hunt around and idle at around 2k RPM with the choke all the way out until it warms up. Once the car warms up, the idle will start to jump and it will die. Giving the throttle some gas just prolongs the dying, but it won't idle on its own. In general it feels like it doesn't want to rev freely, and it struggles to get to about 4k RPM.

I've changed the spark plugs and replaced the fuel filter to no effect. I've tried messing around with the idle mixture, but I don't know how to get it to a starting point, since it won't idle anyways. The car is an 83' RX-7 (California emissions). I'm guessing I might have to take the carburetor apart, but I'm trying to avoid doing unnecessary work, as I don't have that much time to work on the car anymore.

I appreciate any insights that anyone can offer.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

do you have a copy of the FSM? if not, you can get one from: Foxed.ca

find the procedure for setting the idle mixture from scratch.

i would not recommend pulling the carburetor apart just yet. you should try to exhaust all other possibilities first. start simple.
maybe try cleaning it first.
check your plugs.
try changing your fuel filter.
confirm adequate fuel flow.
see where the fuel is in the float bowls. that sort of thing.