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

I think my 12a finally quit

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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 03:12 AM
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I think my 12a finally quit

The info: I'm a spirited driver. I usually hit redline once a day to clean things up. My 12a original engine does have a Dowel pin leak though. I always check oil and fluids regularly. Regular gas always like supposed to. I put a full quart of lucas heavy duty oil stabalizer in the last oil change...probably like 1,500 miles ago.

The story and what happened : So, I was driving with my bud to go get some smoothies at cold stone. And pull up to a Lamborghini Gallardo. I revd up to about 5 rpm. Went on not pushing it, and hit third and the engine just started like choking like crazy. Chugging, bucking, whatever...seemed like fuel wasn't reaching the engine. put hazards on and pulled into a empty parking lot with it pretty much dead, actually was by the time I stopped. Pop hood, check things, vac leaks, etc. Try to start it, started probably 3 times out of the 15 times I tried to start it. Don't worry about the starter. Got warranty...lol. Well, by now its probably flooded trying to give it gas while starting. Try push starting with my bud. No go. Tow it home ghetto style(rope) and now here. I pulled the plugs and cranked it for about 8 seconds to deflood it.

One thing. What is it supposed to sound like when your deflooding?? like a snake(ppssstt) or like the "whoosh" sound when the rotor hits the spark plug holes?? Your thoughs about whats up. If its the engine I might be happy in a way, still bummed... TII project. god bless
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:18 AM
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w/ laeding spark plugs out and ignition disconnected, you should get solid swooshes as you crank the motor. I've driven a 12a that blew and they are drivable for a while. May be a fuel problem?
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 10:21 AM
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you do know you have to do more than just remove the spark plugs to deflood right? you need to either cut power to the fuel pump or disconnect the fuel feed line. before attempting to start it again go over the basics. make sure you have spark on all 4 plugs, youre getting fuel, and when deflooding make sure you sound like you have good compression. itd be better to do a compression check if you have the tools to do so.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 12:53 PM
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I've got a freaking awesome 12A in my '83 that will soon go into storage. Just letting you know.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff20B
I've got a freaking awesome 12A in my '83 that will soon go into storage. Just letting you know.
lol...me too! Let me guess your taking it out to drop your new motor in?
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 04:01 PM
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Ya, I know about not letting fuel get to the engine when deflooding. I'll check spark and all that. My grandpa across town has a piston compression tester I'm pretty sure. If he does, maybe I'll pick that up and try it. just have to search for how those work on the rotary. When I deflooded it, It was whoosh whoosh whoosh really fast. Maybe its rebuild time or get a motor from jeff or latin.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 04:48 PM
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Check the leading ignition, you may have lost it. If that's okay, make sure you've got gas and maybe see if the fuel pump is working. Clogged filter?

If flooded, just dump about an ounce of Seafoam down the small carb barrels then start her up. Good luck...
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 05:25 PM
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Ok, I'll have to check this later tonight or tomorrow kentetsu.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 05:47 PM
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If you have a vid cam, pull a leading plug, crank it over, replace and do the same for the other rotor. Post a link for the vid and we should be able to tell if you've popped a seal.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by trochoid
If you have a vid cam, pull a leading plug, crank it over, replace and do the same for the other rotor. Post a link for the vid and we should be able to tell if you've popped a seal.
Ok, I can do that. So leave the sparkplug wires on the other spark plugs and make sure its getting no fuel...correct?
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:07 PM
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No, sparkplug wires in the trailing would cause explosion/fire.

Always disconnect the ignitors on a electronic setup,
I would advise disconnecting the coils on a points setup.
Cut fuel pump power (even though the carb has a good deal of fuel in it still).

I like to pull the cap off the dizzy and plugs but leave the coil side connected, and just let the cap dangle off the side of the car. This way if in a freak event the coil fired, it would hopefully be contained under the spark plug boot, or on the outside of the fender....

If your worried about blown seals, do all the above and then pull one leading plug at a time.
It should be consistant pssst sounds at a good pace. If you crack or somehow just damage one apex seal you will still get 1 good psst sound then two not so good ones, which will repeat itself.
Should 2 or 3 apex seals have been lost you wont get much sound at all.

Try pulling one leading plug at a time, and make sure they both sound the same and have consistant pssst sounds.
The most common problem other than old cars just losing compression is losing 2 or all the seals on one rotor.
Easily identified by the sound explained above.

Good luck!
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Gen1onr
No, sparkplug wires in the trailing would cause explosion/fire.

Always disconnect the ignitors on a electronic setup,
I would advise disconnecting the coils on a points setup.
Cut fuel pump power (even though the carb has a good deal of fuel in it still).

I like to pull the cap off the dizzy and plugs but leave the coil side connected, and just let the cap dangle off the side of the car. This way if in a freak event the coil fired, it would hopefully be contained under the spark plug boot, or on the outside of the fender....

If your worried about blown seals, do all the above and then pull one leading plug at a time.
It should be consistant pssst sounds at a good pace. If you crack or somehow just damage one apex seal you will still get 1 good psst sound then two not so good ones, which will repeat itself.
Should 2 or 3 apex seals have been lost you wont get much sound at all.

Try pulling one leading plug at a time, and make sure they both sound the same and have consistant pssst sounds.
The most common problem other than old cars just losing compression is losing 2 or all the seals on one rotor.
Easily identified by the sound explained above.

Good luck!
Thanks, I'll try this later.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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Alright everybody. I pulled the leading plug, front rotor, all three whooshs with distrubitor rotor out and fuel pump fuse out on the front rotor. Everybody pray for the rear rotor.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:33 PM
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Alright guys, same thing on the rear rotor. all three sides making the whoosh. I'm freaking glad its not the engine.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 07:18 PM
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Ok, guys. Well, I've come to what i think is the conclusion. The fuel pump. Well, after talking about the fuel pump and all and taking the fuse out for deflooding it... I finally remmebered when i couldn't start it, I couldn't hear the fuel pump. So, thats what i bet it is. It was defintaley a good experience though with towing it home and hearing the whoosh sound from the rotors...lol.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 08:29 PM
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See if you have trailing spark. If no spark, then no fuel pump. This is a "safety feature" to ensure that the engine can run before providing fuel...
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 12:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Latin270
lol...me too! Let me guess your taking it out to drop your new motor in?
Yeah, the one stamped with 756 and was made in 1990 or so.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 01:34 PM
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Well, I got the new fuel pump installed last night, started it and all went perfect. Started up quick, ran like a champ when I went for a drive. Thanks everybody. God bless.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 01:36 PM
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Hurray!
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Kentetsu
See if you have trailing spark. If no spark, then no fuel pump. This is a "safety feature" to ensure that the engine can run before providing fuel...
This is true only on the 84-85 models, earlier models do not have this "feature" to leave you stranded.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 10:12 AM
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Thanks Rogue, I should have read his info more closely...

Glad to hear you got her running Twinkle...
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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Thanks again guys. The only bad thing about the whole thing was replacing the fuel pump. I found some rust thats going to have to be repaired. Glad I found it now and not later though...
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 07:27 PM
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That happened to me about 3 monthes ago. I was driving home in the rain and just cruising along when *cough cough* dead. I left my car in a gas station parking lot and had my friend give me a ride home. I just *knew* I blew the engine up. The following day I pull up behind it to check the compression and notice some wires hanging down from underneath the car. Then it dawns on my, my fuel pump came unplugged(Mallory FP). Re-attached and drove it home. Scary feeling when it first dies, but happy as hell when you find out it is something simple.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 07:42 PM
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Your not the 1st guy who's had a problem like that and right away assumed that they blew there motor. lol Its a long learning process. I remember a car that was given to me for $100 because the guy "blew his engine" after he washed out the engine bay. I bet you guys can figure out the rest.......and no it wasnt the motor.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 09:09 PM
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Good to hear shes back up and running twinkletoes, i guess you cant say youve blown one up yet
Originally Posted by Latin270
Your not the 1st guy who's had a problem like that and right away assumed that they blew there motor. lol Its a long learning process. I remember a car that was given to me for $100 because the guy "blew his engine" after he washed out the engine bay. I bet you guys can figure out the rest.......and no it wasnt the motor.
sweet... thats how i recently picked up my "new" FC for $200 (just needed a fuel pump donated from my bros MKIII supra)
Originally Posted by Jeff20B
Yeah, the one stamped with 756 and was made in 1990 or so.
is it just stamped 756?, or is it A756, or even B756? either way, can i have it
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