I've got the feeling that an apex seal is stuck in my car. Before it "died", if I hot started it, it wouldn't like to idle and if I held the gas a little it would suddenly rev up and everything would be fine. Now, when I get my car back I want to try the ATF trick and see if it helps. Could I also shoot a ton of Carb Cleaner into my engine to dissolve the carbon or would that not do anything at all? Would the carb cleaner be bad for the engine as well? Is there something else I should try?

Any hints, suggestions or opinions are very much appreciated.

 

The carb cleaner will have washed the lubrication from the inside components and surfaces. I would suggest putting some oil or ATF in there and hand turn the engine to re-lubricate before trying to start it. You can score the surfaces without lubrication.

Sounds like you have not done the Carb cleaner yet. I would try the ATF. Much safer!!

Mike

 

i would stay away from carb cleaner if i were you. it is sort of similar to brake cleaning sprays where it drys stuff out that it gets in contact w/. its pretty strong stuff
gaskets and rubber seals dont like things like that

 

the best way to clean out the whole engine, intake track is to rev the living hell out of hit. Its not a piston engine, rotarys need to be revved out.

 

Obviously you are not too familiar with ATF. It will ruin any rubber part that it comes in contact with. Much less harsh on rubber than carb cleaner. That aside, I would try the ATF trick first.

Firestarter

 

Go with ATF, dont' use any carb cleaner.

One time when i was cleaning my upper intake with some carb cleaner, and it was working fine. But some of it leaked into my engine i guess. My car wouldn't start after that. I only got it started after i dumped a lot of ATF into it. it also idled funny once i got it started, until i did another ATF trick.

So yeah carb cleaner is bad. ATF is good stuff.