hybridphil

I just had my starter replaced yesterday after a week of the car just sitting around. Just after I got the car started for the first time in a while, the 87 RX7 got louder than before, could barely make it up the hill, and died if the gas wasn't help down to keep it above 2000 rpm. I took out the wire from the trailing plug of the 2nd rotor so that I could get access to screw on the starter. After the car dies, it smells strongly of gas and has a weird burnt rubber smell. I thought I got my car back on the road but I can barely get it anywhere so ....I didn't really get it back on the road. Any help please??

SureShot

First - find & fix the fuel leak - or nothing else will matter.

Then check for exhaust leaks near the engine.

It sounds like you have a sensor failure putting you in limp mode.
Are you getting a check light?

hybridphil

I am not getting a check light on my dash or anything but it seems the smell of gas is coming out of my exhaust. I am not 100% sure but when I first started the car, there was a lot of smoke coming out of the muffler. I am almost starting to give up on my car but I know I can't cuz it's my only way of getting around. I'm thinking of taking it to a Mazda dealership and let them deal with it....at the cost of 95$/hour....

SureShot

Just about any shop with a couple RX-7's in the lot is as good a bet as the dealer (probably better).

Got any mechanic friends/contacts?

It could also be a stuck or clogged injector.

Pull the plugs & check of signs of rich or misfire or flooded.

hybridphil

I still haven't got a chance yet to check on the injectors but my car is of no use to me at this point until I do something about it. I will try to give more information as to get a proper diagnosis of the problem. The problem is not with the idle speed, just that the car can't handle being at such a low rpm. Once it goes below 1500 it starts to shake as if it's just about to stall. I don't know what the problem is....as much as I wish I did.

SureShot

I have a feeling you're running on only one rotor.

The spark plugs & a compression test will be the best clues.

hybridphil

Well for the last week, the car wasn't able to start and now that I managed to find some time, I realized that it was able to start with a jump start, but as soon as I take the jumpers off, the car won't start again. It still has that same problem of dying below 1500 rpm, but now it won't even start. If the car can start with jumpers but can't without does that mean my alternator is blown or my battery dead?

SureShot

Cranking speed is a big factor in starting a rotary with anyrhing less than good compression.

A good battery should measure about 12.5 volts with everything shut off.
It may dip to 10 or 9 volts when cranking.
Anything less means the battery is too weak.

VOLTAGE TEST
Engine running, headlights & heater fan on high:
Alternator post to alternator frame = 13.5-14 volts (verifies the alternator output)
Alternator post to battery (+) = 0 volts (verifies the primary + wire)
Alternator frame to battery (-) = 0 volts (verifies the primary ground)
Turn off the motor, but leave the lights on.
Battery (+) to battery (-) = ~12.5 volts and holds steady. (verifies battery)

hybridphil

Ok so I got my battery charged and it must have drained when it was sitting around. So now that it starts it still dies if it goes below 1500"" rpm but it sounds more like 600 so it could just be a problem with the tachometer reading.on my dash. I'll get it checked by a real tachometer. But I got a message from someone from the rx7 club to check my throttle body and it seems to be frozen open. Should the valves be closing when the accelerator is put down even with the ignition off? I believe they should be. buut...ii'm not sure

hybridphil

bump