About a year ago I guess I drove the car to the store and then when i came back out the car wouldn't start. I wasn't sure what the problem was so we towed the car home. The mechanic said it the engine had been blown (he works on a lot of imports).

The mechanic said the catalytic converter got clogged and it blew the engine.

But I'm still not convinced...

When you go to start the car it almost starts but it feels like it isn't getting a spark.. which could be the case because the battery was dead and I had to jump it to try.

But when you try and start it white smoke also pours out the exhaust.

Do you guys have any suggestions? I thought it might just be flooded so I took out the EGi fuse and cranked it for awhile several times but it still didn't start after that and I am out of ideas.

Thank you in advance

 

A clogged cat won't blow an engine. The "mechanic" sounds like a hack. Have you removed the cat to see if it really did plug up? If clogged up enough, it could choke the engine.

Besides that, if it has sat for a year, you'll need to determine if the fuel system is still in decent shape. For one, gas will degrade over time w/out fuel stablizer. http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

 

The cat is off right now and I believe it was clogged... How can i check to see if the fuel system is messed up and would that cause it to not start.

 

Sorry if I sound like a noob... I have had the Rx7 for a couple years but I gave up on til recently... I'm in the process of buying a motor because I thought it was blown but now... I'm not sure and would love to hear what people think might be the problem.

 

Check for spark:

1) replace battery
2) pull a spark plug out, re-attach wire
3) touch the spark plug to you or something metal while a buddy tries to start the car
4) If you get shocked or you see a spark, then you have spark on that plug
5) repeat for each plug

Check for fuel:

1) pull back the carpet on the passenger side foot wel
2) remove metal kickplate (10mm bolts) protecting the ECU
3) entering the ECU you will see 3 large plugs, if your rx7 is a series 4 (1986-88)
you will use the middle plug. If it is a series 5 (89-91) you will use the left plug.
4) with ignition to ON, use a multi-meter and backprobe the following wires:

grn/wht
grn/brwn
grn/grn
grn/red

these wires go to your injectors and if you dont see approx. 12V on each one, then you must inspect the harness, injector clips, to see if everything is a-ok.

Do all that, then come back with results and we can proceed with further fuel tests.

 

Thank you so much Ill do that asap

 

Ok, we checked all that stuff. Each of the plugs sparked, one had an orange spark. (Does that matter?) The wires were all a little above 12 which is what the car meter is reading too.

Any other ideas?

 

Okay... after messing with the ECU a little trying to probe it I tried starting it and it fired right up but you had to hit the gas quite a bit. I didn't let it run like I should of and I can't get it to start again lol

Where should I go from here?

 

compression test it.simple.it will tell you If your engine is Blown,and if the mechanic was 'bull shickin " ya.
your car sounds severely flooded.
read these. http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n..._symptoms.html
http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n...ion_check.html
http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/2n...nflooding.html

 

So if it wasn't holding idle it could be a vacuum leak somewhere. Check your hoses I know I had that problem with another 7 I had it was easily fixed.

 

It was holding an idle when we got it started, a lot of smoke (white) was pouring out the back but at least it started. I can't get it started again though.

 

It probably very very flooded. 12v confirms you are getting fuel, at least that the injectors are getting the signal to inject fuel anyway. Unfortunately to get an accurate compression test you need to have the car completely warmed up. Do this:

Remove the leading spark plugs and the EFI fuse and crank the car over for a few seconds, this will throw the fuel out of the exhasut and the hole you have opened into the housing. If that doesnt work, remove the plugs and put a teaspoon of ATF or oil into the housings. Replace the plugs and try to start her up. If those methods dont work, find a hill and roll start the bastard. Remember, the car is YOUR bitch.

 

To check to see if the coolant seals are fubared do the "champagne test"

remove the radiator cap and try to start the car. if coolant comes pouring out like champagne out of a bottle its a pretty good bet that your coolant seals are screwed and you need a rebuild.

If it doesnt come spewing out, get a funnel, put it into the radiator via the cap hole and fill it with water or coolant or whatever (with car still running) and look for bubbles coming up from the radiator. This is also evidence that your coolant seals are screwed.