Hello All! Newbie with an 89 Vert.
06-22-07, 07:00 PM
#1
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Hello All! Newbie with an 89 Vert.
Thought I'd better register and get ready for all the advice I'll probably need soon!
I had an 87 sport about 10 years ago or so, loved it but couldn't keep it.
But...... I was looking through Craig's list and spotted a couple vert's going pretty cheap and thought, gee...., I always wanted one of those.
Anyway, tomorrow I'll pick up my 89 Vert w/ 99K on it. It has some rough spots, but not bad for and 18 year old. Seems to run real well, but I know I've got some idle issues. Anyway, it was reasonably cheap (3K), has a new top, clutch, rebuilt tranny and new exhaust.
Need to get rid of HKS intake mod and put stock box back in (I think, anyway), do a tune up and see what happens! (running rich at idle by the smell I'm getting!)
And perhaps more important, take out non working stock stereo and get some tunes in it! (By the way, stock pwr antenna has been replaced with ugly little antenna. Should I bother with putting in a power antenna?)
So anyway, I've been lurking here and doing some searching trying to find out what I'm up against. Didn't have the internet when I owned the last one, so there's a lot more info available now!
I had an 87 sport about 10 years ago or so, loved it but couldn't keep it.
But...... I was looking through Craig's list and spotted a couple vert's going pretty cheap and thought, gee...., I always wanted one of those.
Anyway, tomorrow I'll pick up my 89 Vert w/ 99K on it. It has some rough spots, but not bad for and 18 year old. Seems to run real well, but I know I've got some idle issues. Anyway, it was reasonably cheap (3K), has a new top, clutch, rebuilt tranny and new exhaust.
Need to get rid of HKS intake mod and put stock box back in (I think, anyway), do a tune up and see what happens! (running rich at idle by the smell I'm getting!)
And perhaps more important, take out non working stock stereo and get some tunes in it! (By the way, stock pwr antenna has been replaced with ugly little antenna. Should I bother with putting in a power antenna?)
So anyway, I've been lurking here and doing some searching trying to find out what I'm up against. Didn't have the internet when I owned the last one, so there's a lot more info available now!
06-22-07, 07:34 PM
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I too have a 89 Convertable. 50K original miles, showroom condition. Paying 3K for a car that need work, in my mind, doesn't pay. I won't tell you what I paid for mine a year ago. However, by the time you spend a total of what I paid, you will still not have the same quality car. My suggestion is buy a cherry. Someone has already spent a non-retrievable amount of money on it. In the end, they are the best buys...
06-22-07, 08:27 PM
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Verts
I bought my 88 last June for $1900 with 72,000 miles...Needs new top but it does not leak just big ugly patch on it....But if it not raining top is down anyway....
06-22-07, 08:48 PM
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I too have a 89 Convertable. 50K original miles, showroom condition. Paying 3K for a car that need work, in my mind, doesn't pay. I won't tell you what I paid for mine a year ago. However, by the time you spend a total of what I paid, you will still not have the same quality car. My suggestion is buy a cherry. Someone has already spent a non-retrievable amount of money on it. In the end, they are the best buys...
I just wanted something to tinker with since my '67 Mustang is too close to perfect to risk driving anywhere anymore, except to the occasional car show.
I'll post a pic of my RX soon when I can figure out how! (I suppose I'll have to send them to photobucket or something).
06-22-07, 09:12 PM
#6
Browse the FAQ and archives. Also do a search on "fuel pulsation dampener", to make sure that rich smell isn't a fuel leak. You don't want an engine fire.
Reliability: Get a Haynes manual or FSM from the FAQ or etc. and perform all maintenance items. Also replace thermostat with an OEM unit (i.e., from a Mazda dealer not the auto store). Never let the oil or coolant get too low, never overheat it (don't wait, pull over). Also search "DTSS". If you have problems with the dash instruments you can resolder the electronic boards or replace them.
Power: exhaust, cold air intake (put a box around the HKS)
Handling: all typical items plus DTSS.
An upgraded intake shouldn't cause you any major problems. They don't filter dust as well as paper filters, but nobody here seems to care. The downside is that it is sucking in hot air from under the hood. If you block off hood air and vent in cooler air from the outside you'll get a little more power.
As for the idle it might be a tps or grounding issue. You could do a search to find other possible causes. I never worry about my rough idle, though maybe yours is worse.
Reliability: Get a Haynes manual or FSM from the FAQ or etc. and perform all maintenance items. Also replace thermostat with an OEM unit (i.e., from a Mazda dealer not the auto store). Never let the oil or coolant get too low, never overheat it (don't wait, pull over). Also search "DTSS". If you have problems with the dash instruments you can resolder the electronic boards or replace them.
Power: exhaust, cold air intake (put a box around the HKS)
Handling: all typical items plus DTSS.
An upgraded intake shouldn't cause you any major problems. They don't filter dust as well as paper filters, but nobody here seems to care. The downside is that it is sucking in hot air from under the hood. If you block off hood air and vent in cooler air from the outside you'll get a little more power.
As for the idle it might be a tps or grounding issue. You could do a search to find other possible causes. I never worry about my rough idle, though maybe yours is worse.
06-22-07, 10:25 PM
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Thanks for the helpful post. I've already done a lot of research and searches on this and other sites, so I know about the electronics issues and overheating (something my Mustang used to love to do), but I'll check out the DTSS search.
Actually, idle isn't rough at all. But it did surge a bit after turning off A/C and I noticed the rich condition. My initial impression was possibly too much hot air, causing a malfunction in the air flow sensor. That filter is just sitting there on the inside fender well with no outside air supply. Looks MM to me. (I've found that most modifications don't work as well as some think. The people who design and engineer these cars usually have a reason for what they do. There are of course exceptions to this rule, and it usually comes down to money and EPA rules.)
I think I'll also look at the grounding issue as well.
I've read so much info in the last week, it's hard to keep it all straight. But I'll know a lot more (or have a lot more questions) after I get it in the shop and do some testing. I've got the service manual, by the way.
Actually, idle isn't rough at all. But it did surge a bit after turning off A/C and I noticed the rich condition. My initial impression was possibly too much hot air, causing a malfunction in the air flow sensor. That filter is just sitting there on the inside fender well with no outside air supply. Looks MM to me. (I've found that most modifications don't work as well as some think. The people who design and engineer these cars usually have a reason for what they do. There are of course exceptions to this rule, and it usually comes down to money and EPA rules.)
I think I'll also look at the grounding issue as well.
I've read so much info in the last week, it's hard to keep it all straight. But I'll know a lot more (or have a lot more questions) after I get it in the shop and do some testing. I've got the service manual, by the way.
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06-23-07, 12:14 AM
#8
Greetings from 30 miles north of you!!!.
your rich condition probably isn't that bad. My verts (2 91s) both run rich. I think it may just be more noticeable with the top down. The pulsation dampner shouldn't be a problem on the 89. Don't worry about the HKS filter if its working correctly then it won't affect too much on a normally asperated engine.
Check for leaks where the targa part meets the A pillers and the soft top, thats where they like to leak. Also make sure the drain tubes in the "pockets" behind the door are clear.
As far as the stero goes.... two trains of thought in the vert. Get the stock unit running as it is really quite nice and the headrest speakers are nice on the free way. If you go this rout you might want to add small sub by the spare tire. OR Just get a dash kit and wire kit you should be up and running in no time. After a little research you can pull the amps and speakers behind the seat, they will be useless. If you don't like the antenna thats on there you can replace the mast only pretty easly, or maybe you might have to replace the whole unit, depending on whats still there.
Check the FAQs download the manuals. and enjoy.
your rich condition probably isn't that bad. My verts (2 91s) both run rich. I think it may just be more noticeable with the top down. The pulsation dampner shouldn't be a problem on the 89. Don't worry about the HKS filter if its working correctly then it won't affect too much on a normally asperated engine.
Check for leaks where the targa part meets the A pillers and the soft top, thats where they like to leak. Also make sure the drain tubes in the "pockets" behind the door are clear.
As far as the stero goes.... two trains of thought in the vert. Get the stock unit running as it is really quite nice and the headrest speakers are nice on the free way. If you go this rout you might want to add small sub by the spare tire. OR Just get a dash kit and wire kit you should be up and running in no time. After a little research you can pull the amps and speakers behind the seat, they will be useless. If you don't like the antenna thats on there you can replace the mast only pretty easly, or maybe you might have to replace the whole unit, depending on whats still there.
Check the FAQs download the manuals. and enjoy.
06-23-07, 02:45 PM
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It appears I spoke too soon about the car I thought I bought. I actually backed out of the deal (which I don't feel good about) and let him keep my $200 deposit.
When I looked at the car the first time I was in a hurry and didn't check the oil. (Duh!) I checked it when I arrived to pick it up this morning and there was basically no oil on the dipstick. He said he had the oil changed last week, and there was no sign of a leak. He swears it doesn't use any more oil than it should, and perhaps they forgot to top it off, but I could not go through with the deal at that point. As far as red flags go, that's probably close to the top of my list!
So, I guess I'm still looking for a good RX7!
When I looked at the car the first time I was in a hurry and didn't check the oil. (Duh!) I checked it when I arrived to pick it up this morning and there was basically no oil on the dipstick. He said he had the oil changed last week, and there was no sign of a leak. He swears it doesn't use any more oil than it should, and perhaps they forgot to top it off, but I could not go through with the deal at that point. As far as red flags go, that's probably close to the top of my list!
So, I guess I'm still looking for a good RX7!
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