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does it hurt a rotary to sit for six years.

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Old 02-25-06, 04:10 PM
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does it hurt a rotary to sit for six years.

it was rebuilt about six years ago. ran maybe once every 2 or 3 months for 6 years. lets say it had a full tank when i got it, when i started driving it again it still had 4 gallons in it.
Old 02-25-06, 04:20 PM
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generally, sitting for years does not mean it would do automatically mean its bad - had engines which were stored for years in sheds and now they are running flawless with great compression, no problems whatsoever

if it did run every 2 or 3 months, i would not call it sitting, not for years....some ppl are not using car during winters, park it in november and start it again in april.......no problem either....

As for fuel, today's generations of fuels does not last too long. After half year in tank, your fuel will not be as good as the new which you will put in. However, if there were no issues, and it starts and runs ok, i would not be worried about using old fuel if there is some of it left - fill up rest of new and you are fine. Just be more carefull with high boost if its turbo car, untill you get full tank of fresh gas.
Old 02-25-06, 04:26 PM
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The gas in it is junk, and I'm amazed it started on it. 6 years is FAR too long for current gas - it gums up, and can cause all sorts of great problems with fuel system pieces.

If it's been sitting that long, drain and replace all (ALL) the fluids in the car. You might also want to strongly consider replacing coolant hoses, or at they very least carefully inspecting all of them.

-=Russ=-
Old 02-25-06, 04:30 PM
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Not to take away anything from this thread but I have a somewhat similar situation. My Bridgeport TII has not run in 2 years, and the intake and exhaust ports are exposed (no manifolds) and are barely covered. Is there a chance this engine might have developed any rust due to condensation from being covered through the different seasons? I plan on putting some manifolds on it and turbo to get it up and running again. Any suggestions or anything to look for, or test?

Thanks
Old 02-25-06, 07:14 PM
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YOu know its funny yi just saw this thread because i was having a conversation with a buddy of mine about this very same thing. I got a 85 gsl for free yes thats
right for free! It all happened about a year ago when i npoticed that this flawless but very dirty fb had been sitting in this driveway of a house in my brothers neighberhood. After about 2 yrs i could not stand it so i walked up to the door and wanted some answers. So this older lady answers the door and i asked''excuse me miss, is this your rx-7?'' And she said that it was and that she was the original owner and that she did not drive it anymore because it was too small and painful for her to drive it. She did have a brand new cherokee , so it made sense to me.

Anyways, i asked if it ran and she replied it did when she parked it 5 yrs ago! ANd i was like holy crapola, 5 yrs!! I looked on the ticker and it read 89768. I thought i was gonna faint dudes!

This car was perfect condition despite the 5yrs of pollen that took on a algea look from the light blue metalic paint. So i then asked if she would be willing to sell it, and she said that i could have it if it started! This is no freekin joke man!

I immedietely went to the store and got some atf and fuel stabilizer and prayed to the rx-7gods hardcore! Got back and did the standard atf treatment and put the plugs back in and........

Presto it started and huffed and chugged and 10 mins later ran like new! I was in shock!
She goes in with a smile on her face and comes out with the title and original key. I would have never imagined it would have ran after that amount of time.

So the moral of the story is that i dont yhink that it would hurt a rotary motor to sit that long, but i would say that the condition of the motor before it sat would be a major factor too. I still have it and it pulls as if it were new and i get compliments on how ''clean'' it is too.

BUt always do a major tune up after you get it started and change every hose belt fluid etc.

Good luck and keep us informed.
Old 02-25-06, 08:39 PM
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Why would someone let a good motor sit for 6 yrs. Man i hate the thought of that.
Old 02-25-06, 08:55 PM
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i wish i could find sweet old ladies like that.
Old 02-25-06, 09:15 PM
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oh i know i really got lucky. It was so cool, i go to see her all the time and to let her know that her old 7 is still ticking. Then i take my vert and show her it too and she really loves the fact that i kept the car and that i never got rid of it or anythng.
Old 02-25-06, 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Syonyk
The gas in it is junk, and I'm amazed it started on it. 6 years is FAR too long for current gas - it gums up, and can cause all sorts of great problems with fuel system pieces.

If it's been sitting that long, drain and replace all (ALL) the fluids in the car. You might also want to strongly consider replacing coolant hoses, or at they very least carefully inspecting all of them.

-=Russ=-
i'm also amazed it started with that old of gas
Old 02-26-06, 11:02 AM
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Yeah i was too considering that he is way up there in Indibanana and the cold weather and all. But hey, it worked and lets just be thankful.....
Old 02-26-06, 11:38 AM
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my car sat for nearly 3 years, fired right up on the first crank, old gas and all.
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