Well, about a month ago I bought my '88 10th AE that didn't run because the guy said that the waterpump went out of it. The car is a little rough around the edges, and has 162K, but still, me paying $750 for a car that I've always dreamed about having didn't phase me. Tonight I got it running, and never again will i have a N/A car. Its not running 100%, but its running well enough to impress me to no end. My only problem is that this is my first rotary and I don't know all the ins and outs of getting it started. It turns over just fine, but it just doesn't want to go that extra bit to get running. I tried to search but it said it was shut down or whatever...so if any of you experienced vets could give me a few little hints on how to get her started easier...I'd be very thankful. I've finally gotten to see the wonder that is a rotary-turbo first hand and I'm lovin every second of it....minus the not-starting time..

 

Hey welcome to the family. I just got my 10AE like 3 weeks ago so im kinda new but u should start with the basics. do a compression check check, spark plugs, try fuel injector cleaner see if the battery is going out igniton sytem might be getting old. umm... thats all i can think of at the moment incase you already did all that stuff. im sure ppl here with far more knowlage will help u out more than i can.

 

Welcome man, glad to see that youve started the darkside first you sound like you have a blown coolant seal problem, but im not gonna say that yet. happy rotoring. peace -Gabe

 

Too late you already said it

Well I say do what rotoman said. Change all the fluids, filters, etc. Plugs, wires, basically do all maintence since you don't know for sure what anyone else has done. Some good fuel system cleaner is always a good idea as well. Remember to change the fuel filter too. What exactly is it doing? Just cranking and cranking but not actually starting? Or not even turning over?

 

Well..what I know thats been done is that the oil, filter, and spark plugs were all changed on like the day that the waterpump went out...and it hasn't been driven since then, until tonight. When I try to start it...it cranks and cranks and cranks..turns over just fine, and just about kicks up and runs but it just doesn't....makes me real frustrated..oh well, i hope I can just get her running well. Thanks for your time.

 

Hmm...well did you try putting a little oil in the spark plug holes prior to starting it? Or spraying some starting fluid in the intake? How long was it sitting? How old is the gas thats in it?

 

No...I didn't try anything like that...and the gas tank was on empty about so i would assume that its running on fuel that I put in there tonight. He told me he had some trick that helped it to start...something about cranking it, then pulling a certain fuse, and then cranking again..putting the fuse back and it starting up then.. I don't know about that, but he seemed to think that it would work. I dunno..

 

So its just flooded. You pull the egi fuses and crank the car for a few mins. Then put them back in and start it up. This is caused by leaky fuel injectors usually. A fix(band-aid really) is to install a fuel pump kill switch. Then theres no getting out and pulling fuses plus you can prevent it from flooding by killing the pump as you shut it off. AND people can't steal your car

 

yeah, sounds like your flooding out. you can do the fuse thing, it works. its the green fuse under the hood. a better thing is the switch. i cant remember what wire to tap into though. but good luck and enjoy your car. its a special kind of car for sure.

 

I thought the fuse was pink (last fuse closest to the engine)?

Anyways, on the drivers side strut tower theres a black rectangle fuse box. The lid should have a diagram that tells you the name of the fuse. Remove the EGI fuse, hop in the car and crank the car for like 15 seconds ( I usually press the gas pedal all the way down while doing this ), go back outside and re-install the fuse. Go inside of the car and try to start it with the gas pedal all the way down. If its not super flooded it should start up. If not, put a bit of oil in the lower spark plug holes and try again.

 

It's green, (40 amps if I remember correctly... 2nd from the engine?).

 

If you stick your head down in the drivers feet area, behind the steering column and look around, you will find a fuel relay. Its a 1 cubic inch black box, with a yellow harness attached to it. There are like 5 or 6 wires running off it. There is a black wire w/ a white stripe (its next to a blue wire w/ a red stripe). Go to autozone or something, buy about 5ft of wire, a switch (can be 2 prong, or 3 if you want it to illuminate). Find where you want to install the switch and get all the needed connectors.

Cut that black/white wire about 3in away from the harness. Run a wire from each end of the black/white wire to where you want to install the switch. Hook those two wires upto the switch, and ground the switch on the third prong to the body some where.

Now, lets hope it works (if you did it right). Turn the switch off and crank the car for about 10s, it shouldnt start. Now flick the switch and crank. It should fire up if you did everything correctly.

If you want a few pics before you do this, PM me. Im going to buy a digital camera in a day or two so it shouldnt be a problem.

 

If you look up, you will see the relay.

This is the middle wire.

Just wanted to make things a little clearer.

 

Check out this thread about flooded engines. Click here for the thread.

 

Uhmm...just for the record....you guys rock real hard. Thanks a million

 

Does that mean you got the car running? Give us an update

 

hey, welcome to the rotary fam.... i bought my 10th ae almost 2 yrs ago... it's been a love/hate relationship, but i couldnt imagine a life with my rex.... althought it's running like **** b/c of numerous problems, i did get a glipse of wat this car can do for a short few weeks... scared me senseless after my first plug change.. the thing boosted to 1.5bar=~23psi, blew my pre-cat out with a big cloud of smoke... i swear to god, it felt like a 12 sec car.. lol this car actually helped me decide to work on cars for living, so i'm goin to lincon tech, gotta start somewhere rite?

once again welcome, but always remember u'll get as much outta the car as u put into it... so take care of the thing... especially since it's 1 of 1500... =)

 

omg i hate you guys how do you find these TurboII's for $750 damn.........

 

Yep, i got her running actually real well from..what I can tell. This is my first rotary and it seems to be running real hard anyways. I pulled the fuse thing and did all that you guys said to do and sure enough it starts up with relative ease now after doing that. Thanks again guys

 

Just remember, love your car, just don't LOVE your car... Ya know what I mean?

 

Glad to hear that. It would be a good idea to install a fuel pump kill switch incase the car floods again. It's easier than walking outside to pull the fuse (especially if it floods while its raining). Do a search for FUEL PUMP KILL SWITCH and you should get lots of results and a couple write-ups.

 

Heh heh heh I got mine for $100 bucks, and all it needed was a wash and wax...

 

i hate you so much. Can someone please locate me one of these great deals i could provide a finders fee.

 

...I don't think he much likes you..

anyways, i did the fuel kill switch thingy and now shes a starting fool. Thanks again for all you guy's time.