hey all, new here and to rotary's, so here's my problem. just bought a 87 rx7 se, the car is immaculate front to rear but the guy who had it was driving and it started sputtering and he barely got it home. now it won't start. i think i got a killer deal on the car but am looking for a little input from some reliable owners. im not an idiot when it comes to mechanics just to rotarys i guess. im going to check for spark and fuel tomorrow, the guy said after turning over a few dozen times he smelled gas so i think it may be more along the lines of ignition.

 

do a search on ATF TRICK ... if that doesnt work for you... get a compression test.

 

compression is good wont fire. some help please

 

have you checked that there is spark? is the spark strong? is the battery COMPLETELY charged?

and it sounds flooded to me, flooding is very common. Try the unflooding procedure, you may have to do it more then once....(search, "unflooding procedure")

 

thanks i'll check those ideas as soon as i get it home.

 

And first I would look at de-flooding...then move on.

 

lol give the new guy a break, he just saw initial D and wants to be our friends.

 

Fuel filter? Check & clean it anyway, it probably needs it.

Congrats on your purchace, prepare to be poor.

 

did he read the FAQ for FC sticky thread at thet top of this very section ... and specificly what to do if the car is flooded???

I think not...

and don't listen to the bozos who suggest the "ATF treatment". Anyone who has actually worked with rotary engines will tell you to stay away from dissolving your oil seals.

Please read the FAQ for FC before posting

 

okay so.. when you crank... does gas come out the back after 15 seconds of cranking? can you smell it coming out?
do you have spark?

its a pretty simple checklist. do a search for code checker lamps or something maybe you have a loose afm plug (happened to me once)

 

As with any car you are new to, take it easy as you get used to the handling. Few cars have a 50/50 front to rear weight balance and rear steer like an RX-7. For example if you try a quick lane change at 65 without practicing first at lower speeds, the rear steer will be a big surprise.

The RX-7 sound dictionary:
Thunk (when starting out) - Front diff mount.
Tink (when starting out) - u-joints
Clunk or groan (with suspension movement) - old grommets.
Zoom zoom (short cycle) - vac leak
Zoom zoom (long cycle) - TPS or BAC or grounds
Crunch - high rev shift to 2nd
Beeeeeeee - over rev or low coolant or low oil.
RrRrRrRrR - starter gear sound (normal)
rrrrrrrrrrrr - starter gear sound (flooded) (no compression surges)
RrRrRrrrRrrrR - starter gear sound (bad apex seal) (uneven compression surges)

 

Your sig big enough there buddy?

 

i love that.