Hi Everybody. I have an 88 conv with 130k on it. Unfortunately, it sat for too long and now it will not start easily at all. When it does start, it stumbles and doesn't run smoothly. Plus if I take my foot off the gas it stalls.. I also noticed that the y-pipe is red hot on the passenger side when I was trying to "blow out" the engine by raising the rpm. I have the shop manual and am a good gearhead, but not a lot of practical experience in rotary troubleshhoting. Where do I begin? I did change the plugs and noticed that I was getting fuel mix at the plug.
Oh, and in case I am in really deep trouble, can anyone reccommend a rotary mechanic in Southern New Jersey?

Thanks,
jd

 

Doesn't really sound like the engine is blown, you should change the oil because the old oil is probably diluted with gasoline from being flooded. Stalling sounds like a broken vaccuum hose, when I got my t2, that was sitting for 5 years, running it wouldn't idle because of two broken vacuum hoses and the rest were kinda brittle. Just keep at it, with the manual and this site. Good luck.

 

Hey, thanks for the input. I hope the engine is still good too.. I guess that's a starting point, as well. Lot's of vac hoses... where does one begin?

 

You said the pipe is hot on the passenger side? I think it's possible you have a clogged cat.

 

It was a new exhaust system. I heard that that kind of (redhot pipe) treatment can ruin it pretty quick.

 

New exhaust system from the manifold back?

 

how old is the gas? that could make it run rough and stall. maybe you can disconnect the exhaust system just ahead of the catalytic convertor untill you get the car running straight, also if you take it off take a look into the pipe and see if it is clogged.

 

Just don't have any winey neighbors around when you do this rotaries are LOUD

 

The exhaust was from the converters back..
The gas was old... someone suggested adding octane boost or premium and changing filter to get it cleaned out. Sound good?

 

gas doesn't burn right after it's been sitting for like a year, and I think thats what caused my t2 to have very badly leaking fuel injectors. so new fuel is a must, LOUD is awesome scare everyone away. I don't know about octane boost.

 

And now, a helpful answer...

This doesn't sound good. Before wasting any time, the first thing I would suggest is a compression test. The symptoms could be due to a number of things, but after sitting for "too long", then we have to start with the most obvious cause.

This is odd. Normally it's the manifold or cats that glow. My first step would be to drop the exhaust after the cat and make sure some animal has not made it's home in one of the mufflers. Try starting the car with only the cat and see how it behaves.

Start with the compression test. Unfortunatly, I can only assume that you did not properly flush the fuel system before you started the car. This can cause all kinds of problems, and will make troubleshooting difficult. On one hand, you don't want to invest a lot of time/money in case there's a serious problem with the engine. On the other hand, diagnosis beyond a simple compression test will be difficult if gunk is clogging up the fuel system (which is quite likely).

If the compression test checks out, then the next step is to completely drain and flush the fuel system. Have the injectors serviced at an injection shop, and replace the fuel filter.

Now, do a full 60K tuneup. ALL fluids, plugs, wires, filters, adjust the TPS, etc.

Then, look for any vacuum leaks. They can be ANYWHERE. It's easiest to just replace ALL that 16+ year old rubber hose. Large vacuum leaks will certainly cause these symptoms.

 

Ya know, vague questions are usually answered with questions posed to get to a final answer.

I just hope that wasn't aimed at everyone in the post.