Hey guys, I am totally new to the RX7 community, and ECSPECIALLY new to working on a rotary engine, so bare with me. I am trying to help out a friend of mine who recently acquired an 88 RX7 Convertible for free, with a motor that is supposedly unable to turn over. We pushed the car down his driveway and popped the clutch to see if the engine would spin at all, and nothing turned. What seizes on a rotary? Is it rebuildable or fixable? Where do I get replacement parts? I'd like to get this car running for him, but I must rely on you guys for help, until I figure out how these rotaries function.

I am the owner of an 87 Chrysler Conquest TSi, and he became inspired by 80's sports cars, by riding/driving in my Conquest. He just had to have one, and this RX7 was given to him for free by his boss at his work. Needless to say, I myself am a bit jealous. The car is in decent shape, just a little bit of rust starting on the rear lower corners below the door, but only a little. Chassis is very sound. This car is definitely worth fixing. I just need you guys help! Thanks, and please get back to me with some answers to my above questions! Peace.

Justin

 

well before the other people bash you, search.

but if its been sitting a while and has had some engine damage in the past most likely its rusted together, in that case=new motor. but just search and you'll find alot of answers to your questions.

 

Well that wasn't quite the kind of answer I was looking for...

If you have any helpful tips, please let me know, im gonna try and search, but again I know nothing about these engines, cept I know they have 2 spinning rotors. LOL

CoKe

 

go to http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm for some useful info.

 

What are you looking for? If the battery and the starter are good and the engine will not crank, and if it sat for awhile without running, what capn said is likely the problem. That would require at least an engine rebuild, and if the rust has been there awhile, the damage done to the rotor, rotor housings and other components may require major parts replacement. In that case, a remanufactured engine would be the best solution, but a much more costly solution.

Edit: If the car has been running up until recently and the rotor(s) will not turn, the problem could be carbon lock of the rotor(s). Others will have to tell you how to deal with that, or do the magic search for carbon lock.

 

STOP!.. you May have a piece of carbon stuck between the seal and rotor housing. try to push the car slightly forward with it in reverse so the engine will spin backwards hopefully releacing the piece. you may have to put somethign in it to help loosen up, like ATF or Diesel.. or whatever anyone elce can suggest to break up the carbon.

 

Most of the time a frozen or seized engine (rotary or piston) requires a tear down.

But in desperation you can try this:

Squirt some penetrating oil or ATF in the plug holes & IM.
Put it in 4th gear & rock it backwards & forwards. (4th gives you the best leverage & won’t break the tranny)

 

If the engine is able to rotate I certainly would pull the plugs and the Fuel Injection Fuse, squirt some oil dirctetly into spark plug holes. (I have used Air Tool Oil) Turn the engine over again with no plugs in it and the Eng Inj fuse still removed. If the engine will not turn then it will need to be replaced because there is probably nothing salvageable from the engine. If it does turn over then install new plugs and put the FI fuse back in. Make sure to hook the plug wires back up correctly. If it starts there will be ALOT of smoke. Do not turn it off. Let it run, drive it around the block. Do not rev the engine. Once the smoke has stopped coming from the tail pipe, park it and change the oil. I prefer Castrol GTX 20w50. Do not use Synthetic.