Mykl

I'm going to post this in here as well. It was also posted in the FC forum.

After changing my fuel filter, spark plugs, and oil tonight I decide to go out for a drive to see how she ran. In addition to all that I have a bottle of fuel system cleaner in the tank that I poured in on Tuesday. I don't have the power steering belt on because I broke the tensioner bolt two days ago, but I have all the rest.

First couple runs to redline in first and second gear were wonderful. She pulled hard and smooth all the way to the rev limiter, exactly how the car should run. In fact, usually I notice power dropping off a bit before redline, but tonight even after hitting redline she just wanted to keep pulling harder and harder.

After a couple runs I noticed that the car would hesitate a tad near the top of the RPM range, and didn't pull like it did for the first couple runs. She wouldn't hit redline as hard, and certainly didn't want to keep going all the way to the rev limiter.

I've also got some crazy popping in the exhaust when the engine spools down when it's not in gear, it's really annoying. It also bucks in any gear when I go to off throttle to on throttle, that's really annoying too.

When I got back I checked my belts, and again, the A/C belt fell off. I really don't get it, am I not tightening it enough? Should I just keep tightening the **** out of it until there is zero deflection? Is it possible that the belt is too wide for the pulleys? I really really don't understand why these belts don't want to stay on, but the belts I had that came with the car didn't fall off until one of them literally snapped.

Any advice on my cars "quirks" would be welcome.

Keith

The loss of power after a couple of runs could be the leading coil is breaking down (or the ignitor assy). But a more likely possibility is the plugs are being overheated. If you are running 7's leading, you might want to try 8's or 9's (NGK numbers).

The bucking may be due to TPS misadjustment or it may be failing. I would do TPS checks.

I don't know about the belts falling off. I have owned 5 Rotaries, and this has never happened to me. Sorry!

Irv, Keith's dad

Mykl

The spark plugs read "BUR7EQ", so I guess I'm running 7's. What do the numbers mean?

Another little development. Before I dumped the fuel system cleaner in the car wouldn't hit redline. I put the fuel system cleaner in and all was well again.

Now, mysteriously, the car won't hit redline again. Originally I thought it was because my injectors were gummed up because the problem cleared up after the treatment. But it's back again, even though I have new plugs and a fuel filter.

I suppose I'll order some new wires to see if that fixes it.

When the car tops out at about 7500 RPM's there's a lot of rapid popping in the exhaust, at this point I've still got the pedal to the floor. When I let off the gas it backfires worse than it usually does.

I can't figure out if it's running lean or rich up top or if it's not getting a strong enough spark. The auxiliary ports are fine, I can move the actuators easily with my hands.

I've checked the TPS many times, and last night I attempted to set it. So I don't think the problem is the TPS. I'll fiddle around with it a bit more though.

Keith

NGK rates their plugs on a 1-10 scale, 1 being the hottest stock plug they make, 10 being the coldest. So, if you want to run a heat range colder, add 1. 2 heat ranges colder, add 2. You get the idea.

On your other problem, I would be very suspicious of your fuel injectors. If one of them is not putting out a fully atomized "spray" pattern, this problem can occur. You might want to pull them and get them checked.

Irv, Keith's dad

Mykl

I think I found a big part of the problem I'm having. I was fiddling around with my spark plug wires and the trailing wire on the lead rotor just fell off when I touched it. The other ones were on good.

I tried squeezing the metal piece in a bit so it held tighter and when I put it back on there was no more sputtering or popping in the exhaust. I did a nice smokey burnout and all seemed well again.

Then the problem came back, so I guess it wiggled loose again. Time for some new wires.

flubyux2

I hear Viteks are good wires.

usually, when belts like to fall off cars, it means that soemthing is misaligned. and then the belts are able to roll over on their back, and possible OFF the pullies.

also, you really shouldnt tigthen the PEE out of the belts, itll cause them to stretch real quick, and itll put HUGE loads on the pully bearings. itll wear out the bearing on the input shaft of ur AC comp, and the tensioner pullies. probably the Eshaft pully too, since itll be pulling up pretty hard. that will cause the Eshaft to ride harder on the bearing, and wear it out quicker.

Fords have that problem in their 3.0 V6's, and pretty much Any car w/ tons of accessories on the front.

besides, whatchu need AC for anyhow? you got a Ragtop!!!

chris