Just heard about an RX7 in my town for sale, I live in a rather small town and you don't even see them that often let alone see them for sale, and I made a phone call and got the low down on the car, but alot of what he said worried me. Anyway heres a rundown of what I found out about the car:
'84 GS
**Overheats**
Couple ***** missing
180 000k
Front caliper & pads replaced
**Air Lock**
New water pump
automatic 4 speed
1 tire leaking
new battery
new radiator
$1000 CAD - $630 USD

Obviously what worries me is the overheating and the air lock, I'm thinking that the overheating could be caused by the air lock? I'm not too familiar with what airlock is, could someone perhaps let me know, and how, if there is a way, to fix it. It seem like he has replaced some things trying to fix the overheating prob but has failed to do so, which kind of worries me if this is not caused by the air lock. Also do you think this is a fair price for what your getting?
Thanks in advance.

 

I'll take a stab at it with this.

Maybe what you are getting is hydrolock. And its occuring because all your water is leaking thru the water jacket into the combustion chamber. Water doesn't compress so it locks up.
It overheated once before which could have caused this, and it may be the cause of it overheating from now on out.

 

overheating is very bad, but can be caused by a simple to fix problem. No clue as to the air lock.

 

$1000 cdn is too much for a car that's barely running, unless the body's showroom, and the interior doesn't have any rips or anything..

Jeff

 

I think that's too much for the car. Offer him half that and walk away. Why?

-If it was overheated once, it needs a rebuild
-I, and the other guys before me, have no idea what airlock is so it can't be good or simple
-It's the auto
-GS so not exceptional brakes
-Flat tire

Seems like the negatives outweigh the positives.

 

Do you guys think that if I bought it for $500 I could resell it for just as much if I couldn't get it working? Don't wanna be stuck with a $500 peice of junk if things don't go well.

 

You might be able to sell it for $500, but without major body damage and such.

 

It's possible but you'd have to find the right buyer.

 

Well I went down and talked to the guy, he said he might go as low as 700 and that he would give me a call. Anyway I was wondering if anyone could give me prices on rebuilt 12a engines and manual transmissions for them?

 

You can get a used manual tranny any where between $150 -$250. You then need to get a clutch assembly, including the pedal and clutch cylinder. It may get expensive. Rebuilt engines can be found at http://www.atkinsrotary.com/engine.htm or http://www.mazdatrix.com they start at about $1700. Then you have freight charges and core charges etc.. If you don't know how to rebuild one yourself this could get expensive. The over heating may just be a thermostat. I roached a motor in a '92 MX-3 cause a 2 dollar thermostat went out while I was in the middle of nowhere. I got a brand new motor boated over from Japan for $3400. Thank GOD for warranties!!!
As far as Air lock, do you mean vapor lock? That usually occurs when you have a fuel pump in the engine compartment. Fuel evaporates in the lines and the vapor expands and prevents the pump from sucking fuel from the tank. RX-7s have a pump at the tank and it should be able to push through a vapor lock condition. If anyone knows what air lock is, post a thread, Im sure we could all learn something

 

i'd say hell no. you'll probably end up frustrated and pissed at yourself for spending the dough and then stuck with a pos.

 

Hmmm well it does sound like it's going to get expensive, but at least I'll have an engine that I know is going to last me for awhile. You don't happen to know any places in Canada that offer rebuilt enignes? maby in the western part of Canada?
I'm fairly certain the overheating is not the thermostat, the owner of it has brought it to a shop and had them put a block mount heater in it (I don't quite know what that is actualy) and that is what caused a bunch of problems which is why I'm consdering anew engine. The body is in good shape, not great, but good at least. As for airlock, I talked to the mechanic that worked on it about what the airlock was today and he said that it is when an air pocket forms where the coolant runs in the engine. He said it was as easy as bleeding the coolant and running water into the system to get rid of it *usualy* but sometimes that won't do it, but in any case he did say that you can always get airlock out, it's just a bitch sometimes.