The Guy I'm planning on buying this car from, said he parked the car, came back out, and it just wouldn't start. I've heard of the flooding problem. Could this be an issue a month later? What else should I try If purging the engine doesn't work?

 

It's probably flooded.

Buy it for cheap, and then put some clean motor oil in the spark plug holes, or search for "Unflooding trick".

 

Bring along a compression tester, and check the compression.

If the compression is ok, don't worry about it, it's probably jsut flooded. If the compression is NOT ok, then.. it's fucked. Don't get the car unless it's super cheap.

To check the compression on a rotary you need to hold the relief valve on the compression tester open and look for even bounces.. if it bounces quickly and all the bounces look to be about the same then it's ok. . if on one rotor you get one bounce every 1/2 second or so or no bounces at all, it's probably not ok.

 

That can be to your advantage.
Start with the KBB private party value & deduct the cost of fixing it back to good condition.
EG: $2700 KBB value
- 2200 engine rebuild
- 150 wiper switch
--------------------
$350. cash offer

Then IF the ATF trick works, you're way ahead.
If not you got a nice (ported) rebuild at a fair price.

 

I bought a nice 86 GXl for 600 bucks with the same problem. just wouldnt turn over. You get some ATF fluid a little hand pump < like soap bottle dispenser > and a little piece of silicone hose. I removed one of the hoses from the intake, squirted some atf in there. Then turned it over. Took about 5 minutes to get it to crank. smoke VERY VERY VERY bad for like 15 minutes. I guesss it helps build the compression back up. After that drove great for a year or so till I traded it for a Maxima.
Yes I got the title from the guy, the cranked it and drove it out his yard

 

I would say that if the body's in good shape, you can't go wrong for $600 or less.

I just fell into an '86 GXL that's been sripped of all extra weight. The accessories are off the engine, ready to be pulled (accessories still come with) AND a TII motor and tranny, fuel pump...) AND I get to use the guy's garage this winter to finish the project and drive it away next summer! Damn! am I excited!

$400

And to think, I was looking for an FB!

 

Wow, I'm convinced. The Guy only want's 500 for it. and I'm 95% sure it's just flooded. Thanks everybody.