I was driving to work this afternoon, and suddenly the car lost power and ran really rough. When I stopped the stick was shaking all over the place, and the car almost died. I limped it to work, where I got out and opened the hood only to find the engine shaking violently from side to side and idling erraticly. I thought it was because of the cold temperature, low on gas...
Any way I got it started again, and it idled erraticly again, I took it to get gas, but it didn't fix anything. Now it won't start at all. It cranks, but won't fire, maybe the fuel line is frozen?
This car is a 87 non turbo, that I bought saturday. I've only changed the oil. Unfortunately I haven't had very much time to work on it, it's very cold here. It ran great until today.
Any suggestions?

Help!!

 

Its a possibility.

If you are in GA i can look at it (fix it) for ya.

 

check motor mounts?

 

I'm thinking is't a apex seal.
I live in Illinois, really cold here today, 14*.

 

OK,I added fuel line drier/deicer last night so now It started, warmed up and ran great. Now every time I come to a stop the car idles rough, and wants to die.
It drives through snow like a four wheel drive. When it runs that is.
I'm thinking it's a plugged fuel filter, my Trans AM had the same problem, wouldn't idle. It was the fuel filter.
I added some fuel injector cleaner last week, mabey that plugged the filter.
I'm lost.

 

You have lost an apex seal (but just one.)

However, this requires a rebuild.

You can TRY the ATF trick outline in many places on this forum, but my money is on the new engine.

Go for it and you wont regret the nice new engine....

 

Try looking for intake leaks and vaccum leaks before pulling the engine for a rebuild. One intake leak will make an rx7 lope like it is a v8 with a racing cam.

 

If it's a apex seal, why does it only happen when its warmed up? I think it's time for a rebuild any way, but I need the cash first you know.

 

it only happens when its warmed up?!

interesting.

the apex seal spring might be stuck!

You might be in luck!
ATF might solve it if you let it sit long enough!
(Rotate the engine 1/3 rd every 12 hours)

OR it might be a BAC or some other valve!
good luck!

 

When in doubt, do a compression test. IF you have all 6 seals in working order, then tear that bitch apart and start replacing stuff until it works right again.

 

When in doubt, do a compression test. IF you have all 6 seals in working order, then tear that bitch apart and start replacing stuff until it works right again.

Thats what I thought too. Thanks hypnytz7