91 automatic trouble starting
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 181
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From: Biloxi Mississippi
91 automatic trouble starting
I have a 91 rx7 with an automatic transmission and every day i get into it to fire it up for the first time i have to pump the accelerator pedal to start. After about 5 pumps on the accelerator it finally starts goes into the auto warm up process and smokes for about 5 mins very bad (i smoked out a parking lot) then it stops but after warmed up if i put in gear or hit the brake the car tries to die and if it does I got to pump the gas again. It seems like any little electical load big or small tries to kill the car. I bought a new transmission computer and put it in thinking about every time i put the car in gear it tries to die, I thought it was the computer. 
But now even after the replacement it still is doing the same thing. I want to use this car as a daily driver but want some input if this can be fixed or I need to look for something else. Another note is the car does run really strong until you have to come to a stop and after you stop it dies (brakepedal)
But now even after the replacement it still is doing the same thing. I want to use this car as a daily driver but want some input if this can be fixed or I need to look for something else. Another note is the car does run really strong until you have to come to a stop and after you stop it dies (brakepedal)
Like Ghandi with a gun
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 0
From: Rapid City, SD
1) the autos suck, my car USED to be an automatic pos.
2) Tranny comp does do some strange things if it doesn't have communication with the tranny, but the comps themselves rarely die.
2) Smokes at startup... sounds like you've got some massive seal issues. Start saving for the rebuild.
3) And while you get the rebuild done, find a cheap 2nd gen 5 speed, flywheel, clutch, driveshaft, and pedals. You will be glad when you get rid of thst piece of **** that eats about 25% of your power in drivetrain loss.
4) Ohh... do a compression check
5) and... check for intake leaks, although, to be honest, im betting on shitty seals or poor compression on the rotors.
Do a search.
2) Tranny comp does do some strange things if it doesn't have communication with the tranny, but the comps themselves rarely die.
2) Smokes at startup... sounds like you've got some massive seal issues. Start saving for the rebuild.
3) And while you get the rebuild done, find a cheap 2nd gen 5 speed, flywheel, clutch, driveshaft, and pedals. You will be glad when you get rid of thst piece of **** that eats about 25% of your power in drivetrain loss.
4) Ohh... do a compression check
5) and... check for intake leaks, although, to be honest, im betting on shitty seals or poor compression on the rotors.
Do a search.
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 2
From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
Does this fit your symtoms?
Hard to start, catches & sputters, blows white smoke, then clears up & runs OK.
The seal between combustion gasses & water jacket is a rubber O-ring in a groove all the way around the aluminum housing.
If it leaks you get coolant in the combustion chamber and overheating symptoms, just like a blown head gasket in a piston engine.
I have had this happen, and was able to patch it with radiator stop leak.
I caught it early, before there was too much erosion of the O-ring.
To fix:
Good coolant flush, add half the stop leak, idle warm up to full temp, shut off & cool down cold, (repeat)
Do a search under "block weld".
Many have had good luck with that product & there is a good write up on the forum using it.
No guaranty, but it can’t hurt to try..
Hard to start, catches & sputters, blows white smoke, then clears up & runs OK.
The seal between combustion gasses & water jacket is a rubber O-ring in a groove all the way around the aluminum housing.
If it leaks you get coolant in the combustion chamber and overheating symptoms, just like a blown head gasket in a piston engine.
I have had this happen, and was able to patch it with radiator stop leak.
I caught it early, before there was too much erosion of the O-ring.
To fix:
Good coolant flush, add half the stop leak, idle warm up to full temp, shut off & cool down cold, (repeat)
Do a search under "block weld".
Many have had good luck with that product & there is a good write up on the forum using it.
No guaranty, but it can’t hurt to try..
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