I bought a '90 non-turbo w/132,000 miles (car sat for a year-previous owner ran synthetic oil) for $1200. Good price, great shape. Car ran good for awhile, thens tarted flooding, stalling, not starting, etc. Mazda dealership says to replace engine (reconditioned) for $4700 due to low compression. 2nd opinion from non-Mazda garage says probably a computer problem. They replaced w/2 different salvage units - same result for both. Car ran good for approx. 3 miles then started running rough, raw gas smell, etc. They said the car is dumping fuel. Everything checked out according to their diagnostics - fuel compression, pump, fuses, wiring, seals overall compression, throttle sensor, fuel pressure regulator, etc. They said the injectors aren't pulsating(?). They also performed unflood procedure with no result. We're stumped. ??? By the way, these guys repair foreign cars, specializing in German engineering so they are not "Rotary Guys". Can you help, please. I love the car and would like to keep it but don't see spending more than it's currently worth (NADA $2500). Thanks.

 

check your cats

 

Clarification - I'm not a mechanic but I know more than the average female. I have worked on my VW's (general stuff - replacing thermostat, brakes, minor engine repair). I can usually diagnose but I know nothing about rotary engines. Once you get up from the floor from laughing, will you please tell me what are "cats"? I'm not being sarcastic, just humble. Thanks for your help.

 

I think hey means catalytic converter, make sure it's not clogged up, (check and see if it is rattling inside). Is your car smoking out of the tail pipe while running? if so, your motor is toast. It could be that you need new fuel injectors (but take them out and see if are working individually). Quadruple check the compression and check your spark plugs at the same time. Raw fuel smell--check to make sure that all the fuel lines are connected properly, check to make sure that all of your o-rings are not torn or worn out.

Well goodluck!!!!


see ya,

car 53

 

catalitic converters. there is a main cat, big one before they Y in the exhuast and a precat, it has the o2 sensor coming off it. if they are clogged it can cause a mess of problems, including what you discribe. One main effect,loss of power.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I thought cat meant catalytic converter but wasn't sure with rotary. Keep the info coming - my mechanic and I will definitely appreciate it.

FYI - no smoke coming out of the exhaust - good sign.

 

:1party:

 

cheers

 

Thanks everyone for the input. The service tech is going to check to see if the injectors are bad since they're staying open. Don't know why they didn't figure that one out in the 4 months they've had it. Oh well, can't complain since Mazda was too lazy to go the extra mile and figure out the problem.

Will keep ya's posted!

 

New hope...

The service tech is going to replace the injection temperature sensor (didn't know there was one) since they say the car runs good til it gets hot...

Will know something today...

 

Hello

I just posted about the 6 port and VDI setup on my 1990 n/a and this is exactly what was happening to my car as well, which has not been running in 3 years.
I bought my car from a ladie who did not realize that rotories required oil for combustion and let it run dry, Walla dead engine. I replaced the engine with a 87 engine but with all the 1990 VDI manifold and stuff. So i have a 1990 engine with heavy rotors for now tiill my twin turbo engine is finished.
When I went to start the car there was nothing as it turns out it was the fuel pump, so i replaced it and the car started. Then the car ran like **** and sputtering like it was flooding. Then I could smell fuel and spotted fuel dripping onto the ground. My guess is that the injectors have been sitting for so long that that the fuel has jammmed them. Gas over time changes to alsmost like a varnish and hardens. If this is corrected, shitty. Now I have to take them back out and get them cleaned.

Chris Y.

 

Well, the "injection temperature sensor" didn't fix the problem. Here we go again... I'm at the point now where I'm gonna take everyone's suggestions and pin it to the service tech's shirt

So far, they haven't pulled the injectors to look at them, clean them, etc.

After 4 months, I'm really getting pissed. Anyway thanks everyone and keep the info coming!

Will keep ya's posted.

 

2nd gens flooded right from the factory. Its normally caused by leaky injectors and or low compression. You can run a switch to the fuel pump connector (Located on drivers rear shock tower) to cut the fuel when it floods. If you just pull the EGI fuse, you cut spark, which doesnt help clean it out. Good Luck.

 

At this point, I think I need to take my "baby" to someone else. Does anyone know of a rotary professional in the Nashville, TN area?

 

before you spend anymore money I'd reccommend getting another compression test. If the engine can't make more than 70psi on all 3 rotor points of both rotors then its probably not worth your time. I'd really hate to see you spend more money if the engine is really dead