Mystery Question: Why does the car not stay put while in gear and turned off?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Mystery Question: Why does the car not stay put while in gear and turned off?
1985 GS, Rebuilt 12a by former owner. Street ported. Manual Transmission.
I recall when I first got the car, I could park it on an angled (decline) roadway by putting it in first gear or reverse, turning off the engine, releasing the clutch and break, and the car was not going to move anywhere. Then I would apply the hand break for added security. Something changed though.
Now, when I do the same on an angled roadway (put in gear; turn off engine, release clutch and break) the car starts inching forward. It feels like small little waves of forward movement, and I can visually see that I am moving forward just by inches at a time. I have to make sure the hand break is fully engaged, keeping it gear alone is not enough
Now, to give you some more info, I think I might have caused this. I was trying to pass someone in a less than ideal situation and I gave it a lot of throttle and didn't release the clutch all the way while keeping the throttle high. I kind of had the clutch released 25% while this was occurring for all of 5 seconds, until I could safely pass. Then I smelled some kind of burnt smell. Perhaps burnt oil or clutch fluid.
Anyway, I am not entirely sure what I may have done, or how things changed from before to now. Can anyone give me some thoughts as to what might be the problem?
I recall when I first got the car, I could park it on an angled (decline) roadway by putting it in first gear or reverse, turning off the engine, releasing the clutch and break, and the car was not going to move anywhere. Then I would apply the hand break for added security. Something changed though.
Now, when I do the same on an angled roadway (put in gear; turn off engine, release clutch and break) the car starts inching forward. It feels like small little waves of forward movement, and I can visually see that I am moving forward just by inches at a time. I have to make sure the hand break is fully engaged, keeping it gear alone is not enough
Now, to give you some more info, I think I might have caused this. I was trying to pass someone in a less than ideal situation and I gave it a lot of throttle and didn't release the clutch all the way while keeping the throttle high. I kind of had the clutch released 25% while this was occurring for all of 5 seconds, until I could safely pass. Then I smelled some kind of burnt smell. Perhaps burnt oil or clutch fluid.
Anyway, I am not entirely sure what I may have done, or how things changed from before to now. Can anyone give me some thoughts as to what might be the problem?
Last edited by Mr_Wankel; 08-29-20 at 02:08 AM.
#2
Full Member
I had the same issue with my 79 RX7. Gearbox had always held the car in place. Then for about 2 weeks the car would roll while off and in gear. After 2 weeks the engine locked up with a broken apex seal. Do a compression test.
The following users liked this post:
Mr_Wankel (08-29-20)
The following users liked this post:
Mr_Wankel (08-29-20)
#6
Full Member
may be a fluke, but mine (above) had less than 20,000 miles when I had these symptoms and my apex seal broke.
#7
Old [Sch|F]ool
Rotaries have practically zero compression when at near zero speeds, which is why having a battery and starter in good condition is crucial. Also, there is no valvetrain to provide resistance.
You should be able to rotate the engine with moderate thumb pressure on the alternator cooling fins.
You should be able to rotate the engine with moderate thumb pressure on the alternator cooling fins.
Trending Topics
#8
Old [Sch|F]ool
Broken apex seals on 12As that were not massively overreved or had heavily worn rotors is practically unheard of.
#9
Full Member
If I remember correctly, Mazda was having problems before 1979 with failing apex seals,and mine came with a 50,000 mile or 5 year warranty (whichever came first).. Mine had about 19000 miles on it , but was about 6 years old at the time. Just my luck.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I didn't add to the original post that my car was in the shop with a seized engine, as I believed (and still believe) the original trouble described in the original post is a separate issue. Earlier I stopped by and was told by the mechanic (rotary specialist) that the oil regulator in the engine failed. He said the rotors didn't get the lubrication they needed and seized. He has the engine pulled apart. He appears to know what to do. Is there anything anyone might advise I make sure is good, whilst the internals of the engine is observable? He says seals and such are as they should be. He says they don't make them anymore and he's getting a used regulator to install. I said, "ok". He is charging me a grand for all this.
The following 2 users liked this post by Maxwedge:
Mr_Wankel (08-29-20),
Rx7fb spirit r (09-02-20)
#12
proud SA care-taker
I agree with maxwedge I just bought a $20rebuild kit from Atkins rotary. It's pretty much just replacing o-rings. Hey wedge, where was the video at I'd love to have reference before I bust it off and repair it
#14
proud SA care-taker
Damn I was hoping for a link. Guess I'll dig around on there website see if it's on there I have the rings and gaskets. No Allen, no screws, and no video.
Currently it's all 12As for me what with my SA collection. Now to just get room to work
Currently it's all 12As for me what with my SA collection. Now to just get room to work
The following users liked this post:
Mr_Wankel (09-01-20)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Turbo_F1
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
18
08-18-05 10:03 AM
SlithyTove
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
2
06-23-02 11:20 AM