My car is a 1990 GTU. I just got it back after 6 months in the shop, where they were supposed to install a new engine and get everything working properly.

I've found that while they did install the engine and fix a bunch of things, they failed to restore the air pump, etc. to get the aux. ports and VDI working. The conversation went like this:

Me: "Shouldn't there be a belt on that pulley?"
Mechanic: "No, that's just the air pump, it's only used for emissions. It was already gone, but I would have removed it anyway."
Me: "But it's needed to activate the aux ports and..."
Mechanic: "No, that won't affect anything. Don't worry about it."
Me: "I really think it's important. I've heard that it's good for 30-40 hp."
Mechanic: "Hahaha, bullshit. You heard wrong. If you want more hp, open up the exhaust. I used to race these engines and that's what I did."
Mechanic #2: "Trust me, I've been inside that engine, there are no aux. ports."

So I showed them the diagram in the hanes manual.

Mechanic #2: "I wouldn't trust that. Someone who knew what they were doing has already blocked off all the stuff and removed the air pump. It's better that way."
Me: "Look, I don't want to argue, I just want it to work properly."
Mechanic: "Well, I'll try to find the air pump and accessories, but no guarantee that I will."
Mechanic #2: "Of course you will, everyone removes that stuff!"


So they grudgingly agreed to find an air pump and whatever they need to restore the "emissions system", but I'm worried that they won't really get it working because they don't think that it does anything.

What can I say to these guys to convince them? Should I just let them get the parts and then try to fix it myself? I have the tools but I have no experience working on cars and I don't know how difficult it will be. Advice?

 

Go to another shop. If u dont think the mechanics knowledge or capabilities r strong enough to do the job or if u just dont trust them to do it properly then u should not have ur car there. Just my 2 cents

 

Uh, yeah **** mechanics. Some people swear that "mechanics" were born with some god-like ability to repair and troubleshoot cars. You can fix your own car farrr better if you put the time and effort into it and read all the information provided by people on this site. I work on my car in the parking space of my apartment, anything like brakes, wheel bearings, etc. I give to a local mechanic. Don't trust them with anything more than bitchwork. Theres no point in owning an RX-7 if you can't drive it hard enough to break **** and have to fix or upgrade it. Ask him for your damn airpump and the bolts, go into how they work and ask him to back up his claim with research. Come home, read your FSM or search here on how to properly install it.

 

yea! **** that guy!

 

Tell him to pull the lower intake manifold off and prove to you that there are no aux. ports. Then wager some money on it, $50 to the "mechanic" if you're wrong, $50 to you if you do indeed find some "extra" ports.

(Besides, mechanics are just some monkeys who know how to tighten/loosen bolts to replace a part. Technicians diagnose problems first, then decide if parts need to be replaced, if any at all.)

 

He obviously doesn't no **** about rotarys if he thinks just opening the exaust will componsate for those 30hp. Sure he raced with a Rotary engine... in the 80's everyone did... duh! doesn't mean he knew everything about them, only that he can rev it high and make it loud. Ya hook your air pump back up and get that VDI and Aux ports working again. The S5 NA's made 160hp from factory for a reason. Those VDI and Aux were a big reason. Download a FSM and begin the journey in fixing your own RX yourself and realizing that mechanics don't know everything, especially after working on pistons all day. I bet They were blessed to see a rotary for once in a few long years.
Oh ya +1 texfcturboII ... **** that guy

 

uh how do you know that the engine hasn't had the VDI wired open and the aux sleeves removed?

 

I don't know, but I assume that since this engine is new and they don't believe that stuff exists, that they wouldn't remove it or wire it open. I guess I'll start researching how to fix it myself. I have some time anyway, as my engine won't see high rpm until I finish breaking it in.

 

but still he needs it working properly cause having it open all the time will sacrifice your low end power

 

I thought they were wired open since the airpump has been removed, he'd still want working aux ports either way...and whats this "new engine"? Is it a reman block or what? Its obviously not "new" if its had stuff done to it...

 

It's a "new" rebuild from mazda. The air pump was removed when I bought the car with a blown engine, and they've since installed the new one.

 

lol, what low end power?

 

Sounds like you should find another mechanic.

It's possible they wired open the ports/VDI while installing the new engine. If so, then they should not have done this without first contacting you. That's poor form on their part and does not signify a quality shop.

If the stuff was already wired open or blocked off (blocked off?!) then it's a different story. Assuming they know what they are doing, they again should have informed you and asked how you wanted to proceed; leave as is or source new parts.

To blatantly argue and contradict just shows they have no understandings of how those systems work.

Direct them to this thread if they have any further questions.

 

mechanics = the reason i learn/do everything myself. I've even had a (supposedly) mazda certified rotary tech with a rotary specialty shop totally **** something up, pretty badly. Lets just say that when i got my car back, the uim/lim mating surfaces looked like someone tired to pry them w/ a flathead, the plug wires were on wrong and the timing was off to the point of my exhaust glowing.

 

Can anyone explain what I should look for to determine if the ports and VDI are in fact wired open?

 

You should look at the actuators, and see if they have wires/zip teis/chewing gum holding them in position.

The Aux. ports are just above the exhaust manifold.

EDIT: VDI will be harder to tell as its between the UIM and LIM....but you can probably see by poking around with a flashlight. Same thing though, look for wires tied around the actuator arms. Hence the term "wired open".....................

 

Actually, when people wire open the aux ports, they usually remove the actuators completely, at least thats how it was done on my car when I bought it.

 

Ah, that explains why I can't find them. Now I see the empty spots where they should be attached.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[QUOTE=rotarytimemachine;7934222]My car is a 1990 GTU. I just got it back after 6 months in the shop, where they were supposed to install a new engine and get everything working properly.

QUOTE]

6 MNTHS??????? What did they do, build you a 10 sec car?? I hope that time is not to be expected when having an engine rebuilt.

 

Look the point is that they charge you by book price and the mechanics didnt do the job exactly how they book says to do it. SO just grab a recorder see if you can somehow record the same type of conversation, where he is right and your wrong. Get a lawyer, and own there ,horrible managed, shop in a few months. =D

If they wanna hussle you. HUssle them twice as hard. >

 

Holy crap.. I didnt realize that post came out so evil... and look what post # is was...... yikes.

 

If it doesn't require rebuilding a transmission or block, always do it yourself. Hell, I can't even stand it when I have to let the hacks at tire stores switch out my tires. They always manage to scratch the rims or overtighten my lugs...

Print out the FSM page that shows the 6-ports, blow it up at kinkos, and frame it on their wall. Maybe they'll figure it out then.

 

There is a difference between a mechanic and a parts changer. A mechanic admitts if he really does not know anything about the car a parts changer just replaces parts and does what they "think" is best. Out of 20 shops in my general area in Irmo, SC only 4 have my ranking as mechanics and none of them will work on my rotarys.

 

They haven't put my wheels on in years. I just take them the wheel and tell the, I want a new tire. I mainly do it because I'm cheap, though, because it saves the mounting fee.

 

Whatever you do from this point on... if they ever have your car again take pictures of everything before you leave it at the shop...

Although if it can be avoided never let the blokes touch your car again...