macinslaw

86 NA

Background:

I drove the car in to work, car ran perfectly. Perfect oil pressue, perfect oil levels, no issues what-so-ever. I get off work, go out and the car won't start.

Car smells like it's flooded, sounds a little like a backfire through the throttlebody here and there. When it does start, it takes a lot of gas to keep running, deep, troaty sound...almost muffled. Exhaust is clear, spark is fine, assume getting air because it wants to start, but won't.

Checked injectors, checked BAC, and crank angle sensor...all fine. (according to the multimeter, that is)

What am I overlooking?

Thanks.

Icemark

what is the compression on all the rotor faces???

Probably low compression (most likely) or leaking injectors (less likely)

macinslaw

Unknown, I do not have a compression tester, I am in the process of trying to obtain one for that very reason. I'm being told it is probably the apex seals, however, I am in no mood to try to rebuild this on my own only to find that the seals are good! LOL

I want to be absolutely sure that is the problem before breaking it open.

Also, I'm wanting to know just how bad a rebuild on this car would be. I'm not a mechanic, but I am good at fixing most anything. I always do all the work on my own cars, and never have any issues. But I've never even seen a rotary apart before. I got a guy here who rebuilds them for a living and he tells me that they are not difficult, but I want another opinion. As a last question, I see there are more than just the 13b out there, how dow I know exactly what mine is and the seal size without opening up the engine?

My car is an 86, however, the injectors, BAC and such ohm out like an 88, 12.3 and 12.2 respectively. Just thought I'd ask.

-Scott

macinslaw

I have a compression checker that I will be able to use tomorrow. Any advice?

Icemark

Go ahead and purchase a rebuilding video from Atkins or one of the others that makes them. It will give you a good idea of what to expect.

I consider rebuilding a rotary engine considerably easier than rebuilding a piston engine.

as far as seals, most of 86 and later engine use all the same simple rebuild kits, however I personally wait on ordering Apex seals until the engine is apart so I can make sure how many and what size I need.

I recommend Rotary Aviation for the rebuild kit except for apex seals. On the apex seals I recommend the newer Mazda 2 piece 2mm apex seals.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

IMO i doubt it is a seal simply because he said he drove it to work, it would have idled before shutting it down or he would have known it by the *** shaking, not wanting to idle and huge power loss, apex seals usually are damaged after a hard run and the problem is noticed quickly afterwards.

this sounds like either a stuck apex seal or fouled plugs or faulty ignition to me. try replacing the plugs, wires and put a few ounces of marvel mystery oil in each combustion chamber to try and build compression and free up a stuck seal if that is the problem. you said it would start, keep it running and warm it up, after warmed up free revv the motor a few times to 5-6k to clean out the chambers.

see if that does anything for you.

macinslaw

Tried that, the catalytic converter got so hot it started to melt the asphalt below it. I also believe it is a stuck apex seal. Might try to mystery oil solution. It was also suggested to me to try ATF i the combustion chamber, I assum it would be added in the spark holes.

Tested each spark plug for spark, all fire. A little on the amber side, but shold still be enough to run fine. Thanks for all your assistance. If there are any more suggestion, I will gladly accept anything.

Thanks again.

-Scott

kiltain

is it possiable your cat failed? you said it sounds different. and it was really hot. my cat failed on my 86 and it was glowing red (which is when i noticed). i unhooked the cat and it started up fine. but before it was kinda like what you described.

DerangedHermit

At what temperature does asphalt melt?