dbku

Hi all,
I am new to FC, and I just got a used 91 FC convertible.
I've been reviewing the contents in this site, and I keep telling myself, man! I should've done this earlier.

Here's my question:

1. What are recommended checkups, given that I just got this used vehicle, and mileage is at 119K.
Maybe something like the following?
>>Do a full 60K tune up, replacing all the fluids (including brake, clutch, tranny, engine oil, coolant, and rear end lube), spark plugs and cables, all filters (including fuel, oil and air), belts, any hoses that are leaking or bulging, and the O2 sensor. In addition if the car is more than 10 years old or has more than 120K miles on it, the Pulsation Dampener (or pimary fuel rail and integrated Pulsation Dampener on 89-91 FCs) should be also replaced.

2. For anyone near/in the vicinity of East Bay Area (CA), can anyone recommend good mechanic/shop that I can take my car in for the service that I will need to perform, per, replies from my question #1 above? or should I just bring it into any Mazda dealer?

Thanks so much!!!

-dK

Justin Freeman

what someone is sure to be mentioning at this very moment is that yes, tune up /compression test is first. and about finding a mechanic/ shop...your best bet will be to read on here and learn everything you can so you can do the work yourself if you are able. the reason that I have so few posts is the fact that pretty much anything you want to know has already been discussed and is probably in the archives if it of very much importance. congrats on the new car- I have an 89 vert and love it - welcome to the club

jackhild59

iTrader: (7)

Welcome to the Vert world. You won't regret the experience.

Unless you pay a Mazda dealer to perform all those services. Then you will regret it.


Lots, no, most of us on this site perform much of that kind of work ourselves. We get our kicks from trying something new and learning how it is done. My advice is to do all the things that you are confortable with. Then, use a local rotary specialist (Not a Mazda dealer) to do the rest. You will have to get local recommendations for that.

Good luck!

dbku

Thanks for the feedback.
I've downloaded and begun reviewing some of the manuals that I've found on this site, which is pretty extensive!!!
Would there be a good place for someone relatively new to FC/Rotary-world/self-maintenance? Esp. considering that I don't have any tools to start with... -_-

But I will be more than willing to pick it up and start learning! Off to the manuals!!!

dbku

On this note, if anyone could recommend a good rotary specialist around the Bay Area, I would greatly appreciate it!!! Thanks!!!

Jodoolin

Agree with all you plans for basic maintenance. Pulsation damper failures are a potential issue with the S4 not particularly the S5 such as yours. If your comfort zone can spare the expense go fo it nothing to loose.

For trusted local 7 mechanics, try the West RX7 forum here, they will certainly direct you to known good guys/gals.

Icemark

1. 60K tune up, is done every 60K miles. 119K miles is close enough to 120K miles to do the 60K tune up.

2. You should not buy the car and expect to be able to take it to a mechanic to work on. very few mechanics have any clue about rotary powered cars, and even less about 15 year old cars. As with most Mazda RX-7 owners, you will need to learn to do most things for yourself.

dbku

Thanks Ice... I find myself reading different posting on this site, as well as reviewing and reading through the manuals downloaded over and over again...
I must admit, most of it seem far fetched and I don't know where to begin!!!
Especially considering that I don't even have a garage to place the car!!!

Housing issue set aside, where/what would be a good first place to start?
I would love to do things on my own, but I figure, realistically speaking, I would like to start somewhere small...

Icemark

well feel free to post questions, most of us are happy to help, but please read the FAQ for FC sticky thread (as well as all the other sticky threads found at the top of this, the 2nd gen RX-7 tech section) first.

They cover many of the commonly asked questions, but it sounds like you already have been reading, and that is a good thing.

AUGieDogie

iTrader: (4)

You wont need to worry about it much in CA but your top will probably leak. Garden hose test should confirm this one.

Check the climate control unit they are know to fail, if isn't working on all settings send it to Icemark and he will fix it. AND HE WILL PROBABLY GIVE YOU A COOKIE!!!!!

Same thing with the wipers. The intermitant and fast speed tend to fail. Maybe you will get two cookies.

Check the VDI and 6 ports they may not work properly anymore.

Since you are in the PRC you will wanna make sure your emmisions work. I've had mine for about 5 years now and i still dont passs in WA.

Check under the rug in the trunk and under the carpet in the pass comartment for rust. Also under the cover for your spare.

Those are the problems I had with my vert when i got it.

Isnt there a guy in pleasanton/Dublin who is good with RXs??????

hanman

One often overlooked piece of maintenance: Make sure the little "pockets" in the top right behind the doors are clear of debris, and that the hoses that are inside are clear. Run a little water through them to make sure they are not clogged. These are drains for the top, and become clogged very easily. Check them on a regular basis.

Icemark

Hmmm, I live In CA and we have had about 40 inches of rain so far this year in the bay area...

Not as much as the Northwest I am sure, but don't confuse the small area of Southern California with the whole state.

dbku

Is there a guy in Pleasanton/Dublin??? That's real close by for me!!! If there are any, that would be awesome!!!
I'll look around for more info on this...

Thanks!

-dK

AUGieDogie

iTrader: (4)

Yeah good point i forgot about that one. If your hoses there get pluged its swimming pool time..


ICE i forgot that you guys got drenched this year. You guys probably got as much rain this year as we did.

AUGieDogie

iTrader: (4)

YO
http://www.ricksrotary.com/

Check with the local section and see how this guy rates.

I only know this because I drove past him a few years back when i was down there for a week.

Tournapart

iTrader: (4)

i live in pinole, my roomate and i both own verts, if you are a decent person, which you seem to be, drive your car up here, buy all the parts, and we can help you learn, keep in mind, we wont do the work for you, but will explain how to do it your self and help you if you get stuck, you can use our garage for a day we have all the tools you will need, maybe we can set something up, hit me up on heres


i work at kragen, i can get a 25% discount if we do this soon, im changing jobs

Fuel Filter
Air Filter
Oil Filter

4qts of oil
spark plugs
i would recommend getting the plug wires from sparkplugs.com get the NGK ones

2qts of differential oil (red line)
3qts of tranny (MT90 redline)

and get some coolent too if you want to do a coolent flush, i forgot how many gallons/quarts the cooling system takes but im sure be now you have the FSM just check in the technical specs. section

get any radiator hoses you might want to replace too, i definatly suggest this

it should only take us about 1-2hours to do it all

send me a pm if your interested