Hi I'M new to this List. So HI and thanks in advance. I have a 1988 TII with 120k on it. its been running rough for about 2 weeks now. Today when i was backing out of the driveway it stalled so i poped the clutch and it started back up. but running real bad almost like only one rotor was firing (could be) so i let it run for a few and when i turned it off it was smoking from under hood. Right behind the exhaust manafoild It look like it was glowing red very hot..(not Good) any ideas whats wrong?? Thanks Jack

 

Hey man, where in jersey?

Sounds like a blown engine or a blown lower intake gasket. You can do a compression test to see if that's the problem.
Is the smoke, puffy white? or thick blue?

C

 

Hea C, Iselin N.J. But i work out of Long branch.

I did not see any smoke this time. But its always been with a hint of white when it idles.

 

I'd be looking at a clogged pre-cat too

 

Is there anyway to check a pre cat with out pulling the entire exhaust system? I also had the intake manifold off to check the pd. (screw was out) had to change all the vac lines also..
Jack

 

Id second that , id say probally a cat is getting stopped up... Have you check compression to rule that out?

 

No not yet. I'm leaving on vacation for a week. I think the car will wait utill i get back. Thanks Jack

 

O.K. I checked the compression with a standerd compression tester It looks likes i have 55 psi on the back roter and 60 psi on frount ,all three revs look close. The car does have 120k on it. The car does start Geting alot of poping out the exhaust. built and checked tps with led's (right on) Going to pull the intake back off and check injectors.
And other suggestions?

 

Well its good to hear that you still have compression (not great compression, but compression none the less).

I'm with IceMark and the others on this, you need to pull your precat. With 120k miles on it, if it isn't totally clogged, its on its way. Replace it with a downpipe ASAP. Its no big deal to replace, just make sure to soak the bolts with PB Blaster the night before, and you will have an easier time getting the old rusty nuts off.

I replaced mine a few months back. It was worth every dime spent. My boost pressure is better, I gained a lot of low end torque, and my engine is running a ton cooler. You won't regret replacing it.

Later

 

Definately do a nice long ATF treatment to hopefully get that compression back up.

If you want to remove the cat/cats then let me know. I have pregutted cats up here in CT if you ever come up here I'll swap the gutted cats for your cats (I need a main cat eventually)

If you say something was glowing red behind your exhaust manifold then it sounds like you have a bad precat. Dont drive the car cause too much back pressure will really hurt the rotary engine.

Are you running without an airpump or have other emmission modifications?? That could have clogged things up quite a bit.

One more thing. When you do a compression test I believe the motor has to be HOT. If its cold then you wont get an acurate reading cause the seals have not seated yet.

 

Its either the pre-cat or the main cat. My friend had the same problem and it was a clogged main cat. Its pretty easy to take out and check. Should be 3 nuts on the downpipe that connects exhaust manifold.. and then 2 nuts at the end of the main cat. Check both... then replace the bad one or both.

- Kevin

 

Change, your plugs, mine acted like that and it was the plugs along with the cats

 

The car is basicly stock has an air pump. Does a new down pipe replace the pre cat and can i get through N.J. inspection without one. Just changed the plugs about 3 weeks ago. But when i pullen them out to do the compression thes the were very wet. ( I'm thinking maybe an injector?) I also removed the pusation damp about 1 month ago. Last nite i pulled the intake manafold to check the injectors. Going to try to get the exhaust system out tonite...

Jack in NJ

 

Hi i took the car to the mazda dealer. $300 later they told me i had the wrong spark plugs in it. It runs better now no poping from the exhaust. but still runs a little rough. My son was going to use the car to go back and forth to collage. But i think i'm going to sell it and get somethink a litte more stable. If any one is interested in a 1988 TII black with grey int. 120k miles on it let me know. Its killing me to let it go. Its a great car to drive. Maybe i'll look into the RX8.
Jack in N.J.

 

I will give u 400 bucks..

 

I think i need a little more then 400 bucks The new tires cost more then that!

 

I dont know if i should make a new post or what. Well anyway my TII is back to its old tricks. I replaced the precat with a down pipe and replaced the main with a highflow. It ran pretty good for 8 weeks or so. then i think i ran the gas tank a little to low and it started Running very rough (i replaced the filter) still running rough and has no power untill you get the rmps up to about 20 to 25k then it takes off. any thoughts on this Please. Jack in N.J.

 

when you ran the gas tank low you probably clogged the fuel injectors as well.

 

get that motor rebuilt w/ that many miles on it and from there you can find the problem (PRE CATS)

 

Just wanted to thank everyone who helped me out. The 7 is back and running pretty good. Replaced The fuel filter. Removed and cleaned injectors, replaced O rings, Removed the precat and replaced with a down pipe and a new main cat..(NJ Inspection) Could still use some new mufflers But it made it through inspection. Just replaced all the vacume lines and inter cooler hoses. Also just replaced the master cyclinder and brake pads. The thing is the car is just to much work for me to keep running. Plus i have another money pit to fix. So i'm going to put the car up for sale. Just wanted to thank all that helped me out. Jack In N.J.