GAS SMELL COMING THRU VENTS/ rough idling 1988 vert
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
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From: WOODBRIDGE, VA
GAS SMELL COMING THRU VENTS/ rough idling 1988 vert
...although the car seems to be running ok while driving. There is a strong smell of gas coming thru the vents. It also almost sounds like a lawnmower right in the area before the catalytic converter. I just had some gaskets replaced, but its still feels sluggish during acceleration. Could it be my headers?? I just spent about $1800 in servicing the vehicle and any advice would be helpful at this point.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 517
From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
First things first, look for the popular spot these cars like to leak at.
Check under the manifolds, just behind the alternator towards the passenger side of the car.
There's a little white/yellow plastic guy on the end of your fuel rail.
It's called the Pulsation Dampener.
If you notice fuel leaking in this area. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR.
Let me repeat that:
TAKE THE BUS OR WALK. YOUR CAR WILL BURN.
Do a search for "Pulsation Dampener" on here and you will find info.
BTW, I'm nearby you - I live in Dale City...
Check under the manifolds, just behind the alternator towards the passenger side of the car.
There's a little white/yellow plastic guy on the end of your fuel rail.
It's called the Pulsation Dampener.
If you notice fuel leaking in this area. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR.
Let me repeat that:
TAKE THE BUS OR WALK. YOUR CAR WILL BURN.
Do a search for "Pulsation Dampener" on here and you will find info.
BTW, I'm nearby you - I live in Dale City...
Leaking pulsation dampener. jump the fuel pump per FSM and look for a fuel leak. could aslo be a leaking fuel line. either of these is ticking time bomb for a fire. don't drive it until you find the leak. most likely place is somewhere on top of rotor housings (fuel rail area).
Gas smell from front of car is 99.999% result of one of these:
1. fuel leak (as described above)
2. flooded (which is not the case here since it appears to be running)
Gas smell from front of car is 99.999% result of one of these:
1. fuel leak (as described above)
2. flooded (which is not the case here since it appears to be running)
Full Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 74
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From: Hickory, North Carolina
When i got the fc it was doing the same thing. The reason I couldnt adjust the idle or tps is because I had a fuel leak in one of the secondary injectors. Once i fix it, I was able to adjust the idling issue. I am going to eventually change all of the injectors. I just dont know which injectors to change them to.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: WOODBRIDGE, VA
First things first, look for the popular spot these cars like to leak at.
Check under the manifolds, just behind the alternator towards the passenger side of the car.
There's a little white/yellow plastic guy on the end of your fuel rail.
It's called the Pulsation Dampener.
If you notice fuel leaking in this area. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR.
Let me repeat that:
TAKE THE BUS OR WALK. YOUR CAR WILL BURN.
Do a search for "Pulsation Dampener" on here and you will find info.
BTW, I'm nearby you - I live in Dale City...
Check under the manifolds, just behind the alternator towards the passenger side of the car.
There's a little white/yellow plastic guy on the end of your fuel rail.
It's called the Pulsation Dampener.
If you notice fuel leaking in this area. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR.
Let me repeat that:
TAKE THE BUS OR WALK. YOUR CAR WILL BURN.
Do a search for "Pulsation Dampener" on here and you will find info.
BTW, I'm nearby you - I live in Dale City...
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 517
From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
^ You've got a PM.
In the meantime, read up:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/where-find-replacement-pulsation-dampener-873328/
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/skeptic-banjo-bolt-pd-elimination-mod-395021/
http://fc3spro.com/TECH/FAQ/pd.html
These cars require that you get your learn on sometimes.
In the meantime, read up:
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/where-find-replacement-pulsation-dampener-873328/
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/skeptic-banjo-bolt-pd-elimination-mod-395021/
http://fc3spro.com/TECH/FAQ/pd.html
These cars require that you get your learn on sometimes.
Last edited by Pele; Jan 7, 2010 at 10:39 AM.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 30
From: And the horse he rode in on...
"7 caught fire this morning need advice"
https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...51&postcount=1
This is your future unless you act now!
So this morning was not a fun morning I just about made to work and I started to smell a wierd rubber and gas smell figured it was the caddy in front of me that had all sorts of smoke coming out of it a block later I pull into work and that's when thing went to ****.
Smoke starts filling the car I stop the car smoke starts pouring out from under the hood I shut the car off throw open the hood and then I see fire lucky for me I had stopped next to a snow bank and so I started chucking snow on the manifold and fuel lines trying to get it out about 10 seconds later its out.
I got to look it over for a minute and it looks like a fuel line by the fuel rails cracked and poured fuel on the exhaust manifold causing it to start on fire.
So here's my problem I have most everything I need to convert n/a to turbo and all that appears to be wrong ATM wotj the car is fuel lines are melted and one of the electrical lines are going to need to be replaced. So do I convert it now and replace everything then or replace the n/a parts and go from there.... Sorry I am in a rush more details and pics later
Smoke starts filling the car I stop the car smoke starts pouring out from under the hood I shut the car off throw open the hood and then I see fire lucky for me I had stopped next to a snow bank and so I started chucking snow on the manifold and fuel lines trying to get it out about 10 seconds later its out.
I got to look it over for a minute and it looks like a fuel line by the fuel rails cracked and poured fuel on the exhaust manifold causing it to start on fire.
So here's my problem I have most everything I need to convert n/a to turbo and all that appears to be wrong ATM wotj the car is fuel lines are melted and one of the electrical lines are going to need to be replaced. So do I convert it now and replace everything then or replace the n/a parts and go from there.... Sorry I am in a rush more details and pics later
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Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 517
From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Right... In this instance, I think seatbelts would be the UNsafe option.
Did you not read the warning about pulsation dampeners guy?! Why would you still drive the car, knowing it might burn.
Did you not read the warning about pulsation dampeners guy?! Why would you still drive the car, knowing it might burn.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 517
From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
Also you only have to do the reading once. Once you've committed a few thigns to memory, you can wreck or sell your current car... The next car, you already know what to look out for.
As stated before, these cars require you to get your learn on sometimes... That's specifically because very few people know how to work on the rotary engine.
well seeing as how i don't have much experience with them. and there's no replacement pulsation dampener being sold anywhere, other than a banjo bolt, that people give mixed reviews. i will just drive it down to rotary performance in texas and have them look at it. the engine could just be running rich. i have no idea.
You can purchase the damper at Mazdatrix, RX7 store, Atkins Rotary or any Mazda dealer. Where in Oklahoma are you? It's easier to replace than you think.
http://atkinsrotary.com/store/catalo...p-1-c-664.html
http://atkinsrotary.com/store/catalo...p-1-c-664.html
thanks man, i have never seen this page before. i googled for a while looking for one. im right in the middle of oklahoma city pretty much. if the oem service manuals can explain how to get to it i would attempt to replace it. but other than that personally i would feel better if someone did a write up on how to replace one of these things properly.
I could provide you with the info or you could get in contact with very knowledgeable RX7 gurus in OKC who will probably be able to replace it for you for less than a repair shop. There is a member named "rotary inspired" who is out of OKC you could pm and I'll pm another member for you if need be.
sweet yeah if you could that would be awesome! someone on this forum from okc rebuilt my engine apparently, i have been trying to get in touch with him. perhaps its the same guy.
MECP Certified Installer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Mesquite, TX-DFW
I'm the guy that rebuilt the engine in your car. The pulsation damper was replaced with a new OEM Mazda unit at the time of rebuild. Most likely if there's a fuel leak it would either be at an injector, a fuel hose or an injector o-ring. There isn't one square inch on an FC that I can't fix, so get your car to me asap before a fire starts. Seriously. It happens often and without warning. PM sent.
