Just aquired an '88 N/A RX7 with 90k miles on it, it has a few problems and I'd really like to know how to fix it and/or how much it would cost to fix:

- When shifting into 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, there is a whining noise or chattering. (worn bushings? worn bearings? no tranny oil?)
- It's pretty hard to shift into 2nd gear a lot of the time, nasty little grinding sound, also does it when shifting in reverse even worst. (syncro worn out?)
- Brakes squeak when pressing on the break pedal. Shop told me the front two rotors need to be replaced while the back two need to be machined, also new pads. I just bought 4 new Brembo discs and EBC pads so *hopefully* this problem will go away soon
- And the one I hate the most, the car does smoke from the exhaust pipes. Not a lot mind you, but enough. It is black smoke and no, it doesn't go away after letting the car idle a while. You can barely see it but its there and you can smell it. I was told I'm burning fuel.

Minor mods waiting to be put on the car that will *hopefully* repair some things:
Like I said, 4 new discs and pads
NGK plugs and wires
A/F gauge which I hope gives me a general idea of what the hell my engine is doing.

Anyone got any ideas what could be done about the tranny/gears and the smoke? Thanks a lot, I really want this car to last me a long time.


P.S. just had the fuel injectors cleaned, oil changed, and fuel filter.

 

I would reccomend an egt gauge, itll be much more helpful in diagnossing your fuel issues ( if you do have them)

 

smoke isnt good

i'd say get a compression check done, but i called mazda and they wanted 150 bones FOR JUST A COMPRESSION CHECK ..


so id just start saving for a rebuild

 

Well, I figure its better to run rich for now than lean so I'll have to tackle this tranny problem first. I'm shopping around for a new tranny atm, my manager has the exact same '88 RX7 that got rear ended, and is willing to let the whole car go for 200 bucks... if I can salvage that tranny and swap it, that may be good, else I'll be paying for a new one. =\

 

well reverse doesn't have any syncros i believe so for that what i do it jsut try and put it in reverse quickly. (mine doesn't do it all the time)

as for second mine doesn't grind but it like clicks into place twice so if anyone has any suggestion on that as well it would be great to hear it.

 

2nd gear was always a PITA on my '88 also, until I put the Redline in (also solved the synchro grinds).

If you're adventurous and know how to use a meter, look up the sensor input pins on the ECU in section 4A of the FSM, and read a different sensor out (including the O2 sensor) every time you take a drive, you just might nail the bastard causing your "richness". Better than throwing parts at it, anyway...What's your gas mileage?

The previous owner(s) must have driven the $hit out of the car- I just hit 190,000 on mine, and the original rotors are nowhere close to being worn to limits (someone might have used a set of "rotor eater" pads on the car, though)

 

That grinding noise in the trans. may be something simple as a pilot bearing.