2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

do rx7 parts break down easily?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 04:28 PM
  #1  
dragon51013's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
do rx7 parts break down easily?

i was jus wondering if rx7 parts break down easily because alot of ppl said that it is hard to fix
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 04:30 PM
  #2  
1SxyRXy's Avatar
my fc broke
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: rohnert park,CA/ bay area
the engine, tps, and vac leaks are main problems
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 04:34 PM
  #3  
1987RX7guy's Avatar
Eat Rice Don't Drive it.
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,752
Likes: 1
From: Laredo, Tx
Originally Posted by dragon51013
i was jus wondering if rx7 parts break down easily because alot of ppl said that it is hard to fix

If they say that they haven't spent a few hours reading the haynes/hayes or FSM. They are dead simple to work on. Basic mechanic skills will get you very far.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 04:34 PM
  #4  
J-Rat's Avatar
Alcohol Fueled!
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,093
Likes: 2
From: Hood River oregon
Originally Posted by dragon51013
i was jus wondering if rx7 parts break down easily because alot of ppl said that it is hard to fix

No more or less frequently then any other car of that same age. And if you want my opinion, they are EASIER to work on then most cars. People are just too lazy/intimidated/stupid to learn how to fix it themselves.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 04:40 PM
  #5  
boosted1205's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: west
First of all, you're looking at cars nearing 20 years. Of course they'll break down eventually. As for changing parts, they're easy but can get expensive unless you can find good used parts. Preventive maintenance will help . When you get a used car, change all fluids and hoses. They don't last forever.
I see some cars engine pictures that I would be ashamed to post. Some looks like original hoses and rust and crud everywhere.





Originally Posted by dragon51013
i was jus wondering if rx7 parts break down easily because alot of ppl said that it is hard to fix
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 05:14 PM
  #6  
beamer242's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: indiana
the only problem i have with my car is that the things i cant work on break......engine rebuild, tranny is dead....other then that my car doesnt have to many problems. then again i have the automatic in my car right now. (why did they ever put an auto in an rx-7)
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 06:01 PM
  #7  
slpin's Avatar
7th Heaven
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,663
Likes: 4
From: California
no

none of the parts break down easily

they break because the car is over 15 years old.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 06:46 PM
  #8  
neofreak's Avatar
accept no imitations™
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 0
From: san francisco
If you replace 15 year old parts with used 15 year old parts, yes.

If you bother to replace them new, they'll last another 15 years before they need to be replaced. (TPS, etc)
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 06:48 PM
  #9  
Turbo II's Avatar
It's only Rock and Roll
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 0
From: In a house...
Everyone above is lying. They are a pain in the butt on upkeep, rebuilding, basic upgrades.
No one in their right mind would want one so I suggest you forget about it and tell us what model it is and where it's at so those of us who like abusing ourselves can have it.....

Man parts is parts.... a car is a car.... logic is little bird chirping in meadow. These cars are no worse than anything else for parts wearing out due to age and breaking. Abuse is another matter. Either way what would you rather drive, an 88 Civic or an 88Rx-7....
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 06:53 PM
  #10  
staticguitar313's Avatar
R.I.P. Icemark
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 1
From: gilbert, arizona
my fc is my first car, and the first car i've ever worked with, when i bought it it came with a haynes manual, extra driver's door handle, and power window parts,(just in case) since the car came with the manual, everythings been so easy right now, having the right tools, the knowledge (Haynes,or FSM. **** chilton) and the time/patience. You can do it. Get a 7.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 08:06 PM
  #11  
Syonyk's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Ames, IA
Having had the opportunity (hah) to work on a variety of cars for various people:

The easiest car I've ever worked on is my Subaru. 1987 Subaru GL wagon, 1.8L flat-4, manual transmission, dual range 4WD, plenty of space in the engine bay, high enough off the ground that you can change the oil without a lift, etc.

The next easiest is the RX-7. It's an odd car - you *do* have to learn a bit about working on it, but it's really fairly easy to work on, especially once you remove all the unneeded emissions junk. :-)

Compared to a new FWD car, it's an absolute breeze. HOWEVER, it's an old sports car. It's not going to be as tolerant of neglect as, say, a late 80s Toyota or Honda. You've got a lot of stuff that is just plain old. If you go through and preemptively fix things, they are quite reliable - Wayne commutes 100+ miles/day in his, and has only had a handful of problems that required him turning around & getting a different car (and the car got him home just fine, it was things like oil leaks & such from old oil cooler hoses).

They're not bad cars. They're just more demanding than a lot of other cars. However, they're a LOT more fun to drive than a lot of other cars.

-=Russ=-
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 10:17 PM
  #12  
uRizen's Avatar
XBL** Ownicus
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 0
From: St. Paul, Minnnesota
I've been driving a beat-up GXL for the last year (including during the MN winter) and it's been pretty dead reliable. The only things that have broken were:

- Front lower ball joint ($25 f/ Victoria British and alot of hammering)
- Starter (bought a used one from a member for $20, works great)
- Oil pan (stripped the drain plug by being a dumb-***)
- Exhaust (17 year old piping get's rusty )

That's about it. It runs really well especially since I pulled emissions and am down to five vac. lines. This site and the FSM have been great resources.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 10:21 PM
  #13  
90WhiteVrt's Avatar
FC4ME
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Once new a guy who had an 87 RX7 N/A. He had 220k on the ORIGINAL motor and had never done any serious work to it. Like any car, if you take care of it, it will last. Being that these cars are all used now, your going to have to put some money into them. With a little will power and some time, you can almost fix anything on them.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 10:21 PM
  #14  
88t2romad's Avatar
(_8(|)
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan, Kansas
only problems ive had with mine were self induced, lol
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 11:02 PM
  #15  
KompressorLOgic's Avatar
I
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 12
From: Spanaway, WA
yes my car ran fine till i started abusing it, and its expected for things to break on a car that old when its abused. they arnt that hard to work on really. way better to work on the a FWD car!!!, one bright thing dont have to worry about if the timing belt/chain was replaced, dont have a valve train!

instead of random problems here and there , these motors run fine, then blow up out of hte blue, but theres nothing inbetween generally.
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2005 | 11:44 PM
  #16  
dragon51013's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
wow thanks guys i feel better about gettin a rx7 now and do anyone know where to learn about fixing rx7's?
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 12:13 AM
  #17  
1987RX7guy's Avatar
Eat Rice Don't Drive it.
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,752
Likes: 1
From: Laredo, Tx
Originally Posted by dragon51013
wow thanks guys i feel better about gettin a rx7 now and do anyone know where to learn about fixing rx7's?

Take a step back. Look at the PC screen and read the URL on your browser.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 12:46 PM
  #18  
Jager's Avatar
Tear you apart
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 38
From: Bemidji Minnesota
Easy as pie to work on and build. WHoever told you that is just lazy and ignorant.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 12:52 PM
  #19  
jhammons01's Avatar
Carter 2.0
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,262
Likes: 7
From: Irvine Ca.
Our answers should depend on how you answer the following

1). Are you an aspiring maestero dorifto?
2). Are Stickas and guages considered Mods
3). Are you looking for a JDM yO mAD tYtE Turbo with nawzzzz
4). Are you looking for a park bench wing to add to your newly acquired FC
If you answered yes to any of the above questions then....

FCs break all the time. They are useless as a boat anchor with out a boat. Do yourself a favor and go to pick a part and buy the first POS you see and drag it to your yard.....this well save you the trouble of having an FC
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 12:55 PM
  #20  
Madrx7racer's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
all lies coming from people who are in love with this ineeficient crap car....the rotary is unreliable...........don't waste your time and money(trust me you will waste BOTH) buy a Honda or a 240............ for what purposes do you need this car? daily driver? autocross? learn to drift? drag?
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 01:06 PM
  #21  
fcdrifter13's Avatar
Play Well
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,218
Likes: 0
From: We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?
my 7 was reliable and such until it blew up. Othere than that its cool. The motor is so basic I couldnt belive it when I took it apart. Just do a frequent and on scedule PM service. Oh PM is either Private message or preventive maintance.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 05:50 PM
  #22  
Syonyk's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,718
Likes: 1
From: Ames, IA
Originally Posted by Madrx7racer
all lies coming from people who are in love with this ineeficient crap car....the rotary is unreliable...........don't waste your time and money(trust me you will waste BOTH) buy a Honda or a 240............ for what purposes do you need this car? daily driver? autocross? learn to drift? drag?
Hm? Are you serious, or trolling? I can't tell.

Inefficient? Depends on how you define it. Raw gas mileage, probably, though that's largely the fault of the ECU (look at what the standalone guys are getting for a better clue as to the engine design capabilities).

Crap car? Hardly. Crap car would be a Cavalier of the same era.

Unreliable? No, just not tolerant of neglect.

-=Russ=-
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 06:02 PM
  #23  
lsx257's Avatar
tunnel vison
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: bay area
the myth of the broken down rx7.

haha, i'd rather keep the myth rolling cause it's better to get them at a cheaper price.


but how many owners have only had one? every one i know with a rotary has had close to three. one person has had almost all models.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 08:39 PM
  #24  
Madrx7racer's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
i'm deadly serious.......i'm on my fourth one and it's not even running.........these cars suck....he's better off buying a Honda or a 240.........he REALLY doesn't need a 7.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2005 | 08:54 PM
  #25  
deetz's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: trenton,il
Originally Posted by Madrx7racer
i'm deadly serious.......i'm on my fourth one and it's not even running.........these cars suck....he's better off buying a Honda or a 240.........he REALLY doesn't need a 7.
motion to ban
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:12 PM.