Hello Men,

I have constantly tried to ask this question, yet I doubt it is being displayed. I just got a 89 GTU N/A that I have just fallen in love with. Now I expect to add some mods however not a lot (intake + exaust). However, today when I was going down the road it began to die when I would let out the clutch. Finally I just let it die and restart it. When I did it sounded like it wasn't getting enough spark or gas. AKA It took a long time to start and it only started when I gave it some gas. When I got it home I would try and get it to idle but it just wouldn't. I took several fuses to our shop and got the checked: all good. When I got home I saw that two of my switches had gotten turned around so I placed them in their correct possitions. When I did this and tried to start the car it started and then idled at around 750, where it should be. It still runs hard and I did leave it with low gas one night when it was around 20 out. Could it just be that it created condensation and I am now getting it going through the engine. Another thing, I have an exaust leak on my main cat and I was wondering if it was ok to still run the car or should I invest in a hi-flow system? I could really use the help and I am sorry if this is too long.

 

I'm far from an expert, but I'd assume that the cat leak might have something to do with the rough running, depending on the size of the leak. Have you tried plugging it with anything to see if it smooths out the engine?

 

Well I am also no expert however I was wondering if I could be sucking in water from leaving it with low gas over a cold night. It could be sucking through a little bit of water and not running good at all. Moreover, I was wondering what kind of "liquid steel" I should use when trying to repair it.

 

First and foremost do a complete tune up on your car. Plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter(I suspect it could be clogged with your drivablilty problem). If these things have already been done then it could be elswhere. The catalytic convertor can be replaced easily enough. The bonez replacement convertor is a quality piece. It can be purchased at www.rx7.com. They also have race replacement pipes if state inspection laws are something you don't have to deal with.

 

First of all, your cat leak has nothing to do with how rough your car is running. The only thing a leaking cat would cause is no opening of your 5/6 ports. It's ok to run your car it will just stink really bad.

To diagnose your problem:
Start simple. Check your timing. If ok then check your plugs, proceed to your wires. If they are fine use carb cleaner and some Q-tips and clean the butterflies on your intake, you would be amazed at how much carbon can build up on those things. To see if they stick move the throttle by hand, if you hear a clicking when you open the throttle then they are sticking (sticking butterflies can also cause a rough start-up). Gunked up butterflies can cause a lot of wierd problems that seem very complex.

After cleaning the butterflies, check and see if your intake hose has any leaks, along with this inspection, check your air-filter to see if it needs replaced and if it is clogged. If it's ok then make sure your TPS is alright and working. Make sure your car is not running rich (a little dial on the passenger side firewall next to the pressure sensor/ boost sensor is marked for rich R and lean L). Check your air filter by blowing through in the same direction as your fuel flows through it. Just wipe the nipple really well before you put your mouth on it (hehehehe). If you can blow through it fairly easily after all the fuel is expelled then chances are it does not need replaced.

Do all that you can first with simple tools and a volt meter. Check all filters and intake hoses/tubes. If problems still persist write back or visit a good rotary shop.



Good Luck!!

 

The exaust thing helps however, would the Bonez cat be the part that connects to the manifold. Because I thought there was some kind of downpipe then I went to Napa and they were saying that I had three cats on my car. It is a 1989 so I know that the book was out of date or misprinted. Well I hope someone can answer this problem since I am too busy fixing my car. However, something you love can never be work.