BrianHeston

I've been posting for a while now under the "new spark plug report" thread, but my problem is definately beyond spark plugs so I decided to move it out here...

My problem is this: I've had this '82 GSL for 2 weeks now, and it's running worse now than when I got it. It won't even start now. It cranks, gets fuel, gets spark, gets air, but no start. I pulled the exhaust yesterday, and still, no start. I'm really getting quite frustrated.

Parts I've replaced: Fuel pump, Plugs(NGK 14's), Cap & Rotor.

I've torn down the carb twice, and cleaned it. Fuel seems to flow through it fine manually. But this is how it acts...
The front primary pulls all the fuel it can, the front secondary does too when I manually open the secondaries. But the main problem I see is on the rear. The rear primary only pulls about half fuel if any, and only at high rev. The rear secondary rarely pulls any, but when it does it seems like only about 25% maybe slightly more.

I've also checked the check valve on the fuel return line, it seems to work fine. The choke it set properly, and was working fine when the d@mn thing started. The "new" plugs now look just as bad as the old ones (fouled all to hell) due to way to much cranking without starting.

So if anyone can give me some guidance it would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can get this thing running before I decide to sell it (or push it off a cliff).

Thanks in advance,
BrianHeston

inittab

Are you sure it's getting spark? Is there any reason why the timing would be off? Have you done a compression test? With all that gas and plug fouling going on perhaps the poor thing's flooded. Rotaries will NOT unflood themselves if you let'm sit. This page might be helpful: http://mrmazda.members.atlantic.net/...t.html#NOSTART

BrianHeston

I know it's getting spark, and I've checked the timing as well. I'm going to (don't laugh) replace the fuel filter tonight and see what happens. I know I should have done this sooner, but it seemed to be getting enough fuel. I know it's not flooded because I've been un-flooding it occasionaly all along. The only kind of compression test I've been able to do is with a standard gauge, but it seemed ok. Both rotors showed approximately 124 PSI. I know the previous owner had the gas tank emptied because it had water in it, and I think it may be clogging the filter with rust now. The filter just before the pump is a reddish orange, so I think it's a pretty safe bet that not only is it clogged, but I'm an idiot as well.

Anyway, thanks for the response, and I'll let you know what happens.

BrianHeston

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

Yes, let us know. Is the replacement fuel pump oem?

jeremy

iTrader: (1)

for the love of god, rust in the tank?!?!?!?! it is one of the worst unspeakable evils that has plagued me. i will pray for you and your endeavor my son. a moment of silence.............................

BrianHeston

Fuel pump is not oem but is within specs. And just to ease Jeremy's mind, the new filter hasn't turned orange yet.

Thanks for the help, I know I'll be needing more soon. Not quite out of the woods yet, but much closer thanks to you guys.

BrianHeston

restoring83

You might want to check your igniters. I was having much of the same problem, until I realized one of my igniters was nonfunctional. If your plugs are that fouled, you might want to change them again. You may be getting some spark, but not enough to really ignite the vaporized fuel. Is it starting at all, and just not running, or does it not even get to the sputter point?

You also might want to check your vacuum hoses and make sure they are set properly. If not, you won't be able to keep the engine running.

BrianHeston

It seems to depend on the day, somedays it will start, others it won't. I think the igniters sound like a likely culprit. I will check them next.

Thanks,
BrianHeston

SilverRocket

you sure you don't have any vacuum leaks?

BrianHeston

I think I'm safe to say that there are no vacuum leaks. I've sprayed starter fluid all over the vacuum hoses and never had the engine jump at all.

I just don't understand how it will seem way better one day, and then the next doesn't even want to start?

Would the thermostat have anything to do with all this? I only ask because I never get any temp reading on the gauge, so I have no idea how hot it's running when it does run.

I swapped the igniters to see if maybe one of them was bad, and it seemed a little better, but my battery was so low it still wouldn't start. I haven't had a chance to jump it again yet to see what happens. I'll let you know when I do.

As always, thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions,
BrianHeston

restoring83

Yeah... replace your igniters... You can usually find a couple on ebay for a reasonable price. Just be aware, to change the trailing igniter, you have to move or remove your alternator temporarily to get at the screws that hold on the igniter. Also, you might want to check your ignition coils for continuity with a tester, and then for amp draw if you can.

BrianHeston

I've checked the igniters, they're fine. I'm totally lost now. I seriously have no clue where to go from here. Some days she starts, some she don't. Some she stays running a while, some she don't. The whole damn thing is so intermittent I have no clue how to troubleshoot it now. Please help me while my car is still in one piece. 'Cause if this takes much longer and I don't tear it apart, I'm sure my wife will.

Thanks,
BrianHeston

crankit

Bad gas? water in the gas from condensation in the tanK? Try priming it with fresh gas to see if it starts and dies.

BrianHeston

I think with the help of my friends we've finally figured it out. (fingers crossed) I think it is actually flooding out due to bad needle valves. This conclusion after yet another teardown of the carb to verify proper float adjustment. So that is my next step. I'll let you know.

BrianHeston

BrianHeston

Well, I've replaced the needles and it stopped overflowing the bowls into the carb, but it still won't start. I'm completely hopelessly lost guys, I really need some major help here...

Thanks,
BrianHeston

SilverRocket

Have you posted this up on www.mazspeed.com?

I would do that to increase your chance for insight into the problem.

Also, and this is just a dumb guess, but are you sure it isn't just still too badly flooded to start? Maybe you have solved the problem, but you still need a de-flooding and a fresh set of plugs.

If you've triple checked everything it's strange that it won't start...

BrianHeston

SHE'S ALIVE!!!!

SilverRocket was right, I hadn't had time to post it, but that's exactly what it was. I just had to clean the plugs and unflood her and now she purrs like a kitten.

Thank all of you so much for your help. If it hadn't been for you guys, I probably would have junked her.

Brian Heston