caje

Okay, here is my situation. I am new to the club, as my question will probably indicate. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I want some advice before tearing through usual routines. I recently purchased an 88 RX-7 convertible from a guy at work for $500. Beautiful car overall, but will need a new top and power steering pump soon. First 2 weeks car ran fine. The clutch pedal began to stick ( which he told me about ), and eventually didn't work at all. So, I started with the cheaper fix and parked her to replace the slave cylinder. That was done, but clutch still didn't work. I assumed clutch or master cylinder was bad at this point and left her alone for a few weeks, maybe 4, til someone advised me it may be air still in the lines or a leak. Well, this weekend I found the leak in the slave cylinder line, so that will be an easy fix. However, my problem now is that the car will not start! I've checked and cleaned the plugs, added new fresh gas, and the best I get is to get it to fully crank 3 times out of 20. Upon cranking, when i'm lucky enough to get it running, it smokes briefly and runs rough, and I have to keep revving the gas pedal to keep it going. It eventually kills and will not start again for several attempts. So, I just wonder if with the rotary engine ( which I am just now starting to learn and familiarize myself with), is there anything unique that i should know or try especially pertaining to the fact that it sat up a while? Starting was never a problem with the car before it sat for a few weeks, so after checking the plugs and gas, I can't figure why it will not start now. A few weeks isnt that long. Just wondering if someone can steer me in the right direction here before I waste time and $ searching in the wrong directions. I greatly appreciate any help offered.

Mason Rx7

If you cant keep it running without using the gas then im thinking that its the idle air control.

Parastie

Leaving these cars sit for any length of time is NOT good, more then likely one of the rotors is flooded. Read through the unflooding directions in the FAQ and see how that works, you might have to try a couple of times. If that doesn't work then it's time to start looking for other problems, Fuel pressure, compression check, spark check. Also, check out the South forum to find someone in your area who can help you out more.

caje

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it. Looks like its the flooding issue. I see how to use the search now, didn't earlier. Thanks again

Aesop Rock

i bough my SE for $500, kid had no idea what was wrong with it, i went through the flooding procedure about 3 or 4 times, and bang, 10 foot wall of white smoke out of the exhaust, and now it runs perfect.....

caje

yeah, I got a steal on mine too. Guy having $$$ problems wanting to pay for his girl friends divorce, lol. The car needs some work, but seemed to run fine over all. It does need a new power steering pump, and I think it has some exhaust or catalytic issues. I've done the removing ecg fuses method so far today and that has allowed it to start, but i have to keep the rpms up real high to keep it running while fumigating neighborhood with smoke, haha. But at least I'm getting somewhere. Guess im gonna have to get off my *** and take out the plugs and add the oil method also a few times. Only thing however is I noticed the smoke also billowed out from underneath the car by passenger door and apparently pipes got hot enuff to ignite the leaf litter under the car touching it. I hope my exhaust probs can wait a while tho, but it seems to be leaking which may cause it to run crappy even if i get it running.??

Aesop Rock

the cats are clogged, and its probably running rich, the smoke is probably an insuing fire, if you want why i think this, i'll send you the picks of my car with smoke coming from underneath it, and the pics of the main cat on fire

caje

Thanks, you are probably right. I guess it was the cat catching fire. The exhaust system was sounding rough under the front part of the car right before I had to park it to fix the slave cylinder. Do I have to replace the cat, or can I gut it? And while I'm asking, what is the proper approach to gutting, I've never done it. I'd love to see the pics you mentioned so I don't feel so alone out here fighting this damned thing, haha. Thanks again for your input, this rx-7 is a whole new ballgame to me as far as car repair goes, so I need all the help I can get. One, more thing... I guess repairing the exhaust should come before getting her running again, or will the fire not occur as long as the flooding is resolved and its running smoothly? Of course that probably answers my question since the car won;t smoothly til the exhaust is right lol

Aesop Rock

no, just pull the pre cat off for now and get it running right. just replace the cat with a straight pipe....im sure theres something you cand find find using the search feature, its not letting me post pics, so i will e-mail them to you, just leave your e-mail

caje

my email is caje600@yahoo.com for the pics. OK, I'll try that. My neighbors are gonna love me, lol. Thanks again for your help