What kind of gas should I be using?
03-02-06, 04:09 PM
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What kind of gas should I be using?
I've been using the cheap stuff in my 85 GSL but I'm thinking about moving up to mid grade since it's idling kinda rough at stop lights. It hasn't been pinging or anything so I was wondering if it needs something a tiny bit more pure or if it's another problem altogether.
03-02-06, 04:18 PM
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It's running perfect but every once in awhile when I stop the rpm will dip down to about 500 and it'll start shaking. At first I was thikning I didn't give it enough time to warm up but it kept doing it through the day. I'm praying there's nothing wrong with it, I can't find one damn person that has worked on a rotary engine. I certainly have no problem getting my hands dirty but if I have to get under the car for any reason it's just not going to work.
03-02-06, 04:21 PM
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Do you check your voltmeter when it does it? Something could just be straining the alternator. I'd say to adjust the air mixture screw on the carb and see how it does. Also if you haven't already, plug the shutter valve, it'll be like driving a brand new car
03-02-06, 04:47 PM
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Since you mentioned the air mixture do you suppose it could have something to do with the air filter? It's full of friggin' bugs and crap and I haven't really had a chance to change it. Either way I definately check the voltmeter next time it does it, and if I'm lucky I'll have the time to go through everything and make sure it's all in tip top shape next week. Hopefully I can get my hands on a Chiltons manual before then because I honestly have no idea what I'm looking at when I pop the hood...
03-02-06, 04:51 PM
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I might as well ask this since I have someone's attention...what kind of product can I use to restore the shine? The clear coat seems to still have some life left in it but it's still kinda dull.
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03-02-06, 05:04 PM
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Damn, I never would've thought it'd be that simple. And I'm pretty sure the clear coat is still on there, it's got enough shine make a reflection. I'd just rather not go to a shop, I already know what they would say.
03-02-06, 05:23 PM
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I was thinking about getting a paint job, like a bright candy blue, but the color just looks right for some reason. I'm assuming it started as red but faded to a kinda orange color. Or it might have already been painted, the paint on the bumper is chipping off to reveal a brighter red. That part kinda confused me...
03-03-06, 02:13 PM
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I've got the same problem with the window trim on mine and have no idea what to do with it. Is it silver on black or black on silver? I was thinking about taking some sand paper and scraping a bit off to find out but that seems like it would just invite rust and I've already got two little spots to take care of.
Wow Firebirdslayer666 You have such almighty knowledge! I bow to you! 
03-03-06, 05:11 PM
#20
Originally Posted by Cthulhu Cultist
I've been using the cheap stuff in my 85 GSL but I'm thinking about moving up to mid grade since it's idling kinda rough at stop lights. It hasn't been pinging or anything so I was wondering if it needs something a tiny bit more pure or if it's another problem altogether.
Are you daft? Read the FAQ, that's what it's there for. It also happens that the third question points to something in the ARCHIVE which answers this exact question, which gets asked once a month.
In the 80s, mazda used to race on 83 octane fuel. Why? Because octane is just a rating of how much gasoline resists detonation from pressure. With a 9.4:1 compression rating, we don't have to worry about detonation unless we put a turbo or supercharger (at which point pre-detonation or "pinging" would be a big concern and we'd have to run higher octane).
Putting higher octane gas in a low-compression enigne won't hurt it, it just doesn't do it any good either. It's wasting money for nothing
If you are having an idle problem, it's something else.
Change your fuel filter, oil filter, spark plugs, plug wires, dist cap and rotor. Adjust your carb's throttle speed and mixture screws
(mixture is at the base in the middle, turn all the way in until it gently encounters resistance, then back out 3.5 turns. That's the base. The idle speed screw is over by your throttle linkage. Just turn it inwards until you have about 900-1,000rpm idle. Once you have your idle in the right spot, turn that first screw in until it starts to "hunt", then back it off until it's smooth. That's the sweet spot).
If none of this fixes it, look for vacuum leaks. If you don't have emissions checking in your area, follow Carl's tutorial to remove the rat's nest. It helps eliminate sources of vacuum leaks. There's even some info on how to do it a simpler way with a PCV valve if you search a bit.
That should solve your idle problem. In the future, please read the FAQ (or frequently asked questions) before asking a question that's frequently asked here. Also you might want to try the search function, and the archive.
Jon
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