Got a 1988 FC rx7 convertible that is confirmed fuel via it pissing out of a failed hose/Oring haven't dug to clarify yet. confirmed spark bc it fires when fed starting fluid but outside of that it just cranks and nothing else
Battery is strong bc I got my BRZ hooked up to it and running and the starter sounds healthy

 

Not trying to be rude but please fix your fuel leak. You can consider yourself lucky if it is only your car that catches fire.

 

Also, just because there is fuel in the lines as evidenced by your fuel leak, that doesn't mean fuel is getting into the chambers. Starting and running briefly on starting fluid sounds like a fuel issue. Have you pulled your plugs after cranking with no start? Are they wet with fuel? There was someone that posted recently with a similar issue that the car would run on starting fluid. I think they had issues with their fuel injectors and after having them cleaned the car started.

 

I would agree that you have a fuel issue. Had the car been sitting fir a period of time? Stuck injectors come to mind as is no injector pulse at the fuel injector connectors. The first thing that needs addressed will be the fuel leak. I would repair that first and start your diagnostic testing following that repair.

 

I also second fuel issue. The amount of times ive thought it cant be a bad fuel pump or delivery issue is amazing. If it fired up on starting fluid, its a fuel delivery issue imo. If its leaking, lack of pressure could cause lack of ignition. Maybe there's a blockage, maybe your fuel in is on the fuel out nipple, which sounds possible since you've probably been troubleshooting a leak. Maybe filter blocked when u cycled ancient fuel through it. Or maybe youre like me and are on your third fuel pump in a month because walbro pumps are made with garbage.

Also for a fun side story, I had a fuel hose come loose after an engine install to my primary fuel rail. Drove for 3 hours with fuel literally dumping over the block and wife complaining of fuel smell. never ignited lol.

The one time i used parts cleaner to clean my turbo heatshield in college? Kaboom.

 

I remembered a similar issue with my new '86 model if it was cold (for Florida) outside and it missed starting the first time for the day - sputtered and died. When that happened, I usually let it sit for an hour or so and it would crank and run fine - only happened a few times in the decade I drove the car. My '89 convertible wouldn't even start on starting fluid last month. Tried over next several days and still would not start. Out of curiosity I removed the gas cap and after struggling it started, ran rough and then settled down to a normal idle. Has cranked fine ever sense. Coincidence, probably, but simple to try.

Good luck if you are still having problems.

 

Its been sitting for atleast 2 decades, I dont have much History besides its on mile 212k and Im owner 3 and the last guy was Vietnamese

 

Thanks I'll need the luck, Unfortunately its a Delivery issue right now though

 

New Pump New sock but the fuel is pissing out of the engine bay lines, I'm gonna have to replace those and hope thats it

 

Working on it 🫡

 

I gotta get a new plug socket to do that, didnt realize it was gone till I tried pulling em

 

Very likely it is the injectors are stuck/clogged if it's sat that long. Probably need to send them out to be cleaned while you're working on fixing your fuel leaks or get new ones.

 

If you have the stock fuel pulsation damper check if the screw under the plastic cap has come off. For some reason on mine the screw fell out into the cap and completely blocked fuel from getting into the rail.

 

I'm sure mines broken plan on just installing an aftermarket Regulator with a built in PD