I went out to wash my car a few nights ago, then the next morning I went to start it....it started but sounded awfull, so I sat there for a minute to make sure it would ok and all of a sudden it died. So I try again but this time it sounded flooded, like there was no compression. Later that night I tryed the ATF trick. I got her to start up and I sat there till all the gas was burned up, but it still sounded like it was missing or sumthin and it wouldnt idle by itself. I try to put it in gear and it dies. The only way I can get it to start is the atf trick. My dad tryed wiggling the spark plug wires around and it would idle ok for a sec every now and again. So Im guessing something might be messed up with the plug wires. But when I would pull the egi fuse and floor it while cranking (with the bottom plugs out) it would spray alot of gas out of the front, but the back had very little coming out of it. I think that would mean theres low copression there. But I dont know too much about rx's, so im posting here for some advice---thanks in advance

 

So the car ran perfectly before you washed it?

I'd say pull off all the plug wires and dry them off if they are wet at all. Look for water in the engine bay anywhere and if you see any do your best to dry it out. Use a hair dryer or something.

When you've got the plugs out and cranking it over listen to the pulses that come out of the holes. Are any of them weaker sounding then others? Are they loud on some pulses and quiet on other pulses at all?

 

There's no way he'd get any decent amount of water into the engine bay unless he washed it with the hood open.


Your washing the car has nothing to do with your problem. Coincidences happen in real life, too, ya know?

Time to start looking around and making sure everything is connected securely and snuggly. Plug wires (at both ends,) battery cables, coils (the things the spark plug wires go to, etc. If you have a multi-meter, use it to check the coils. The procedure is in the FSM - do you have a copy?

 

It ran perfect before I washed it (well i wouldnt say perfect). I havnt checked for the wires being wet, Ill do that asap. But when I crank it with the plugs out the front bottom pulses alot. While the back bottom would barely pulse at all.


...This may sound stupid...but whats FSM? car manuel?...

 

factory service manual. Go to www.iluvmyrx7.com and download a free copy.

 

Going by ear or by feel? Put your hand/some fingers in front of each hole and feel the pulses.

Don't worry. She won't bite you.

 

I realize that it's almost impossible to get alot of water under there, but this happened to me too! Turns out water had managed to get into the distributor cap. I realize that 7's don't have these (at least not FC's), but I thought I'd relate my story hehehe

 

check to make sure there isnt any water on the inside of the plug wires, if wet and touching the block, all the electrcity going through the wire can go right to the block instead of the plug

 

So check the link b/c it dont work

 

Here:

http://www.teamfc3s.org/main/factory_service_manual/

 

If you remember six rotors, he was telling me that he steam cleaned his Engine Bay when I saw him. Apparently, abit of water/condensation built up below the CAS's lid and a short time later, rust developed. He claimed to attribute the rust build up within the gears to cause Irratic Idles and such. He cleaned It out and all symptoms were gone.

 

It sounds to me like your plug wires are either wet or shot. Change them and the plugs and see what it does. For one its only about $30. Not to mention, if you were wiggling the wires and she sounded different, it sounds like you have a short in one or two of them. Also check your injector connections. One of them could be wet or loose too causing different pulses in your fuel system

 

Ive been so busy I have yet to look at my car. But my dad checked it out real quick and he said there is no pulses coming from the bottom rear plug hole. So he thinks that means there is no compression. He said something about the apex seals might be out. Sorry for the lack of info. Im about to go buy some new plugs and wires (I think they are still stock). But once I look at it more Ill post more info. Thanks for all the replies so far