It's a 1989 GXL non turbo RX7, 120,000 miles. The has been sitting for a few months due to unkown problems, the car just would not start one day and the previous owner could never get it re-started. I've gotten the car to start after some effort [flooded?] and it idled well. Upon start up it did blow a fair amount of smoke then it cleared up. The oil pressure was good as well as no idiot lights on. After the car warms up it will not idle. I can hold it at above 3K RPM's and it won't skip a beat and will respond well up to 6K [as far as I wanted to rev it idle]. Anything less than 3K and it runs rough, spits and sputters with the occassional mild back fire and will stall if the accelerator is released. If I gradually release the accelerator from 3K it will spit/sputter until about 2K then [as I'm still releasing slowly] it will rebound to 2.5K then continue downwards and stall eventually. It is VERY hard to start after it stalls.

The big thing I noticed was a hot smell and when I looked under the car the cat was glowing orange, very hot, even scorched the blacktop. This was after less than 3 minutes of running.

I also notice a tic, tic, tic noise up front by the air box area, makbe the air pump? Is that normal? It's not loud, just tics as you're trying to start it then I don't hear the noise. Fuel supply noise maybe?

Okay, my questions are, what do you guys think the problem is and where do I start.

 

I think the catalitic converter might be clogged and making it hard to stay running after the warmup. Try removing the caT and running the car.

Santiago


PS- Be prepared for LOUD

 

sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Have someone hold the rpms steady then spray flammable carb cleaner near your vacuum lines. If the rpms change, you've got a leak in the path of your carb cleaner spray.

 

Oh, just so you know. I am using the account started by Kurt, the previous owner who had a thread going the other day and referred me here. I was unable to find that thread so I'm starting a new one. I'm not a rotary expert by any means and I merely tried to help him get this car running. I changed out the plugs with NGK's and got it going but after a drive the car just died on him but I believe it was simply a bad battery connection. In any event, he gave the car to me, even had it towed to my location but if I can get it going I'd like to either give him the car back or sell it and offer him the cash. He's said he could care less at this point but friends are friends.

I'm not sure how much info was given from Kurt but the car was originally diagnosed with low compression from a garage. I don't believe however that compression is an issue, it seems way to strong. The car runs super but even after the new plugs it did not want to idle properly, higher RPM's and it did well. I never noticed the cat glowing until today when I put a battery in it and started it again. I have not yet put new wires on it or any new filters and the glowing hot cat got me suspicious of other problems.

I'm just looking for advice from knowledgable rotary people in an attempt to get this car running well again as I am at a loss with no real rotary knowledge or manuals.

THANKS!

 

hmmm, try doing what 1987rx7guy said to do. I read somewhere on this forum about glowing cats and someone mentioned that they might be clogged. At this moment i can't find the thread but i would try that first.

 

Okay, I'll give them both a try. I'm not going to waste too much time on this though. I sure wish he had just signed off the title instead of entering my name because now I'll have to re-title it to sell. IF it's not either of these things, would I be better off selling it whole or parting it out. Please include some ballpark values as a whole or what any desireable parts might bring. Lot's of good parts on this clean car and Kurt mentioned someone here saying that the burgandy interior is a rare color, true? I saw a set of tail lights go on eBay for $150, a front bumper went for $150 also, a rear bumper for $75 along with many misc items making it seem reasonable that parts is where the $ is. How about engine [would sell as-is but running] and 5 speed transmission prices? as well shipping methods? Other mechanicals prices? Interior parts prices? It also has 4 matching stock wheels with nearly new tread, are they worth anything?

THANKS!

 

i would probably go to the for sale forum and start listing parts and ask for the prices ...also see how much someone would buy the entire car for.

 

Looks like you have one. I tried to PM you but couldn't. Anyway, I am in the Topsail are very often. Have a place at Surf City. I might be interested in the whole car. Wilkl be down there 11/11. Let me know.

 

Batguano,

I'm not sure how to work this site so my apologies. You can e-mail me at: beachballs4@yahoo.com if you'd like.

I can provide digital photos as well.

Thanks