Like the title said, I've searched already. I searched 2nd gen archives, FAQ page, and current forums. I've found that the sub-zero assist is free, easy, and does absolutely nothing negative to the car. However, I haven't found HOW exactly this is supposed to be done.

Seeing as dealers were apparently instructed to remove the sub-zero assist on all post-90 models of the FC, as it's useless, I'd like to remove mine from an 87.

I am paranoid that I'll do something to harm the car in some way, so I was hoping someone would be willing to write up a quick walk-through for those of us who haven't done it before.

 

if you live in a cold climate its not uselss anything below 32F and it will help

 

Just pull it out. I think there are some 10mm bolts and a hose to undo, but other than that just yank it and stick it in your garage. Took me less than 2 mins to do when I put in my rebuild. If I recall it's easier if you move the charcoal canister out of the way first.

 

If I'm undoing a hose, shouldn't I do something to plug where the other end of the hose was? or something?

all I'm hearing is "tear it out", and no details

 

Yes you need to plug the hose.

I have had mine system "disabled" by Mazda. Plug the hose and disconnect electric.

Another option is to get a block off plate and remove the entire system. (requires removing UIM for install of block off plate)

 

YAY THREAD NECROMANCY!

I do live in Ohio, but this car will be used only in above-freezing temperatures, unless I get stuck at school when it's snowing. Basically, I plan to put it away as soon as we get out first snow that necessitates road salt, and plan to get it back out as soon as the snow melts in the spring.

What are the advantages to getting rid of the sub-zero assist? also, what does it look like?

 

It's useless. Always was, always will be. In fact I'd be shocked if the thing actually still worked. Generally it only took a year or two for the motor to corrode and lock up.

Pull out the resevoir and hose, then cap the vacuum nipple. If you want to be thorough, cut the bracket off as well.

 

The bracket unbolts from the firewall.

 

If you have cruise control, the sub zero bracket is part of the cruise bracket. If you don't have cruise, then it just unbolts.

 

Isnt there recall to simply remove sub-zero assist function? THought I had read/heard that somewhere... Anyway, I'm thinking of doing it... despite living in Ohio.

 

Hey! Another Ohio brother thinking of doing it. And I want to know the same thing as McHack; if I can make Mazda do it for free, I am all over that ****!

 

just called westcott Mazda in National City i know one of the managers there and he looked it up for me because i also have the subzero assist and wish to remove it. They will remove the system for about 150 dollars and they wont even put block off plates they will just plug the hose. so for 150 bucks i say **** it, i'll do it myself.

 

**** THAT ****! Mazda dealerships/repair places are rediculous... they wanted $150 to diagnose what was wrong with my power steering computer, before they'd fix it, when I'd already diagnosed it..... bitches.

 

There is no "despite living anywhere" regarding the sub zero start system. It does not work. Never did, was a stupid idea in the beginning. Seems to only be a 1st/2nd gen RX-7 specific thing as well, since the earlier rotary cars didn't have it, and the later ones didn't either.

As has been covered many times, Mazda issued a TSB years ago instructing dealers to remove it.

Why even bother the dealer? Remove the reservoir (it slides off the bracket after disconnecting the wiring) and put a vacuum cap over the nipple on the manifold. Done and done.

Shops don't make money doing free repairs. If someone walked into your shop and said "This is the problem, I have diagnosed it myself. Please fix it." what would you do?

 

Do what they said, charge an appropriate amount to do it, and tell them to quit their bitching if they diagnosed incorrectly.
As for free repairs, I would think a recall would constitute a free update/removal of a part. I thought of it this way: What if the recalled part was something that COULD **** up an engine permanently?

Beeeeecause I've looked at a couple threads like this, and started at LEAST one of my own. I can't find ANYONE on here who will post a pic of what it actually looks like! It's kinda hard to remove it if I don't know where it is...

 

*not intending to be a jackass on the last post, Aaron.

While I see your logic that a dealership would not want to do free repairs, it also seems logical to me that if there was a recall, they should make good on it for free, like they would/should if they put bad tires on a car.

 

And that's a great way to make you shop have a horrible reputation. The customer doesn't care that it isn't your fault that the repair did not work, they just tell everyone they know that your shop didn't fix the problem. You can't rely on the customer any kind of diagnosis.

This is not a recall, it's a TSB. To be performed during other service, but not worth calling the cars in for.

The Factory Service Manual can be found in the FAQ For FC thread. It contains all this information and more, and is an essential tool for any sort of service work that needs to be performed on these cars.

Additionally, the Haynes service manual for the 1986 thru 1991 RX-7 (both turbo and NA) can be found at most local auto parts stores or purchased from any good bookstore (ISBN number 1 56392 007 7). It is only about $25 and is a great quick reference for things like this. Not only does it contain most of the information in the FSM condensed into an easy to read format, but it includes full wiring diagrams as well.

These manuals will answer 99% of service related questions for the car and if you intend to do your own repair work, you will need at least one of them. Preferably both, since the FSM is a free download.

Look up "cold start assist".

 

I've actually got two Haynes manuals, one at home and one at school with me... didn't think to check it, due to what Borat would call "an especially funny kind of... reetardashun"

Thank you, Aaron!

 

a bulletin and a recall or not the same thing.

a service bulletin tells the shop HOW to repair a certain symptom on a certain car. it is not an extension of warranty

 

Yeah, I got that now. I was under the impression, though, that it was just a recall that most people never took advantage of.