I am looking at buying a used RX-7, '90 N/A 5 speed. The body and interior are in good shape. Price seems right. Unfortunately I don't have the experience, tools, or place to work on the RX 7. I was told by the current owner that he used to drive once occasionally every few weeks. The owner stated that as he did this the car would become harder and harder to start after stopping it, which got progressively worse over time. I was told that the vehicle had been looked at the vehicle, and used to a scope to check the interior of the engine and determined that the APEX seals were bad. The car has approximately 120K original miles on it.

1st question: Can you use a scope to check to see if the seals are bad?

2nd question: From the symptoms given to me, with the problem getting progressively worse with time, coincide with a APEX problem or something else? I was thing maybe fuel supply problems, or something along those lines.

Thanks for any help.

 

it is common for these engines to flood out when they sit for a while so i wouldn't worry about that. i have one that runs awesome but if i let it sit for a week it will flood out when i go to start it up. i don't think scoping the engine will be very accurate at determining weather or not the apex seals are shot, you need to do a compression test.

 

That's what I was thinking. Used to have a simialr problem with my old 89 FC. Guys selling it dirt cheap, awesome car. I hope that it's just a flooding issue and I make out like a bandit! Pray for me. I just want to own an RX 7 again!

 

Any other opinions?

 

Like the earlier poster suggested, do a compression test or figure an engine rebuild or replacement (est. $1,500-$3,000) into the cost. If the price is still good, go for it. If the engine turns out to be OK, that will be a bonus.