Hello guys.

W00t! w00t! I have completed my collection of RX-7s (FB,FC,FD) as of 30 minutes ago. I have just picked up an '90 GXL with 178,xxxk miles, but I have a few problems. First off, the temp gauge is not functioning. Second, a bunch of the dash lights are up including add coolant, brake, CEL and possibly more. It hesitates at idle and I have to pop the clutch and start in gear to get it started up. I noticed that there are two buttons around the arm rest area for suspension--sport and something else. There were wires everywhere around the engine that had to be wrapped and put together. Because, the temp gauge does not function I am limited on how hard I push this car. The max RPM I have gotten it up to is about 4k and it seems to pull pretty hard and no signs of smoke. In third, fourth, and fifth gear, there seems to be a metal-like rattling sound from the engine. It is more apparent at hard acceleration. In fifth gear when I am cruising at 1.5k, it shakes a bit producing a sound like running over those sound strips (?) on the highway. Please help. I hope to get this FC running in proper running order. Great thanks in advance. I would greatly appreciate any input regarding any of the problems mentioned above.

 

The idiot lights are indicating alternator or charging system failure.

Rattleing could be from anything... exhaust sheilds, detonation, loose parts... you'll have to stick your head under there and see.

The temp sensor is probably unplugged.

The links for the Factory service manuals can be found in the FAQ for FC sticky thread at the top of this section. You probably want to down load them, and work step by step through the problems.

 

Hehe, welcome to the FC family. You have achieved my dream (except I want a Turbo II for a 2nd gen).

Anyways, sounds like you have alot of work in front you. How much did you pay for that puppy?

 

I suspected dentonation regarding the rattling, but can it be so? I paid $400 + extra tax/paper work.

 

get some pics of all 3 gens!!

 

Ha, I'll try.

I checked the sticky and the links, but I still need to know where temp sensor is. One more thing, sometimes the car goes very below 1k at idle and just dies and I need to give it gas.

 

Rattling is probably driveshaft u-joints. Check your alternator out. It's probably not working properly. Go under the hood and take pictures of things that confuse you, then post them here. Get a haynes manual for the car and do a complete tune up.

 

The temp sensor is right around the base of the oil filter pedistol. if your'e standing on the drivers side of the engine bay, looking in, itl'l be about 1 inch to the left of the "bell" oil pressure sensor right below the filter.

As for the drop in idle, I wouldn't get too excited until you go through and replace/check all the vacuum connections.

cheers!

 

The rattling could be a POS passenger side motor mount too.. A 178K car needs alot of TLC..

 

Much appreciated guys. I hope it's the motor mounts and not detonation. It sounds like metal rattling. If it's detonation, how do I get rid of it?

Man, vac lines? Well, I'm not gonna rush this car. I wouldn't be surprised to finish it next summer. Too many things right now.

Keep the input pouring. Thanks everyone.

 

My car does it also while idling, my passenger side motor mount is gone, and I need to buy some new ones soon.. It could be something else, but that's something to check..

 

I'll check. To be more specific, it's more of a rapid clattering sound.

 

*Update

Found a bit of time to check the car out today. I topped up the coolant and started it. It took several cranks before it could get started. After the first two cranks, I pressed the gas to the floor and tried cranking and still would not start up. The first and second time I got it started, it would idle then die. Followed up by a couple more cranks, I finally got it started again. This time I manually idled the car by giving it some gas. I had my foot on the gas for about three minutes before I let it off and let it idle by it's own which consistently held up at 2k. Could this be a sign of low compression?

At the same time, I had the coolant cap off to test for damaged coolant seals, but I didn't remove the EGI fuse. When I had the engine going, I immediately revved up to 3k and coolant shot out onto the windshield. While it was idling by itself, I went to check for bubbles and I could see it bubbling and spitting coolant out of the filler neck. Does it sound like coolant seal damage? It's not showing any signs of it, but I wanted to see if the car had been overheated by the previous owner(s). From what I can tell, the car still pulls pretty hard for its mileage. Because the temp gauge isn't working I didn't want to push the car too hard for fear of overheating. Max RPM was 4k and no signs of smoke.
I also looked for the temp sensor around the base filter but managed to only find the oil pressure sensor. I'm thinking about getting an aftermarket temp gauge. Can I tap the sensor into the filler neck housing where the bolt is?

As always I would appreciate any input. Sorry for the long write-up.

 

5 gear at 1500 rpm. Thats bad. Don't shift into 5th unless you are going over 45 mph.

 

Well, I was low on gas and afraid I was not going to get home. Any ideas on my probs?

 

pfft. tear it down, and rebuild it.

 

I would if I had the time.