An '85 RX7 has recently been offered to me be my girlfriend's family, and I need some advice. It was once her fathers everyday car, but has been out of commission and sitting in a garage for around 2 years. I don't think it's a turbo, but the body condition and interior look fairly good. I'm considering taking it, but I'd like to know some things first that hopefully you folks can answer...

1. Was '85 a problem year for the RX7?
2. Are there any quirks that I should know about or some known problems assiciated with this model/year?
3. How much money can I expect to spend trying to bring this car back to life?
4. Is it worth it?

Thanks for your help everyone,

A.B.

 

1. 85= top year
2. yup, car sitting 2 years in garage means new engine soon...
3. need more info
4. GSL-SE (13B EFI) or GSL, GS, G(12A carb) ??

no first gen (79-85) turbo

 

Well, I can honestly tell you that I don't know several of the finer points of this car... It was girlfriend's father's favorite car for a long time, but now his wife has decided that it has to go. I respect the love a man has for his car... so I want to know if I'm really interested before I start making it look like I really want it.

 

GS or S, not G

 

How much does he want for it?

 

I'm looking at cheap... maybe even free. On the other hand, I don't have a lot to spend fixing it up either, so I don't want to take it if I'm gonna end up having to junk it in a couple months.

 

Just take some time to go over the car...look at the engine, try to start it up, etc. Basically just see if there are any major problems that you simply can't or won't deal with.

If you can get it for cheap or free, I'd say go for it. If nothing else you could always sell it yourself later.

 

Well, the car doesn't start (thus, the sitting in a garage for 2 years) The official word is that they don't know what's wrong with it... I kind of fear the worst. On the bright side though, it has new tires, new clutch, and a couple other new items. Appearantly, it was having something break every 2-3 months proir to the big greakdown, and they just didn't have the patience or money for it anymore. Sounds grim, eh?

 

Pull a spark plug on each rotor and dump in some automatic tranny fluid. Turn it over for a second then let it sit for a few days (with the plugs in). Then come back and start her up. She should smoke to high hell for about 30 minutes, but it should be ok. The car's probably just flooded and this will provide it the compression needed to run. If this doesn't work, then don't get the car. (Oh, I'm not messing with you either. Do a search for ATF Trick for more info)
steve

 

The engine may not be toast, just get some ATF and do the unflood thing. There used to be a site that had step-by-step instructions on how to do it, but it doesn't seem to be up anymore. Anyone know where it moved to?


Edit: Dammit, someone beat me to it.

 

3 more questions:
1. By "some automatic tranny fluid" do we mean something like a couple teaspoons? a small stream? Half a quart?

2. How bad is a flooded engine in these cars? Could it really be so bad that they but the car up for 2 years?

3. My father says that traditionally RX7's have problems with the face seals, and that chances are this car's seals are shot. Is this a likely scenario? How hard is this to fix?

Thanks for all your help so far... You've given me another problem: What do I do if I buy the car for 50 bucks, do the ATF trick, and drive it away? I'm not sure I could take the guilt.

 

i think you'll get more help in the 1st gen specific forum - so ill make a COPY of this thread and put it there

 

Go to mazspeed.com and look in the facts section for the ATF trick. Also, the tech info on the first gen is very good there. The guys are very knowledgeable. Don't worry about guilt. You are doing this guy a favor. I am sure he would rather see his car on the road again, instead of the junkyard.
just my opinion,
hanman

 

I have seen a lot of cars that ran perfectly, shut off and when the owner returned in the morning wouldnt start... This is a typical occurence of carbon lock. Do the ATF trick and it will be OK. Now on the other hand was he driving it and then all of a sudden it went bad, if thats the case then Id lay odds on it being a bad apex.

Now with that said if it was carbon locked and sit for 2 years chances are that ATF wont do anything and a rebuild would be neccessary. Either way I bet the motor needs attn, not to mention fuel system and etc, after sitting 2 years

 

I have typed up an extensive No start diagnosis proceedure. Search using my name and "No Start" and it should come up.

It's car independant (works for boingers too) and assumes that you have a well charged battery and gas in the tank.

EDIT: It also assumes that the engine turns. Bad starter or locked engine will have to be diagnosed before hand.

 

Maybe I'm just lucky, but my car sat for a year and a half outside and I was able to get it running (after replacing fuel filter, cleaning and rebuilding carb, replacing sparks/distributer/battery, and cutting off catalytic converter.) If the car is free (or a hundred bucks or two) go ahead and grab it...you're not losing anything if you do. Expect to do your own work on it though or it'll be a money pit. They're a great car to learn on (real easy to work on compared to other things I've turned wrenches on), unique, and a lot of fun...

 

i'm having the same problem with my '85 GS. i tried the unflooding procedure and replaced the plugs, i'm getting spark and gas and still i have yet to start it.

 

My GSL-SE had been sitting outside for about 8 months and started first shot, as soon as a new battery was installed.