TjsRx7

Hello everyone, I have just become the prowd owner of a 88 conv. 5speed NA. I have a few problem and I am lookin for somethings to do. The first problem is the car smokes like crazy when you first start it up, probably burning oil. The Sec. problem is sometimes when I stop at the store can come back out it wont start or takes a couple of hits to start up and sometimes I have to pull the inj. fuse to clear the engine then it will usually start up after that. The third problem is while going down the road it will seem like a studer but is like the car will have power, then no power, then a burst of energy all while maintaining speed. Most of the time it just seems weak.

Things I am looking to do is, remove some of the emission stuff, any intake manifold, and ignition up grades. An any goodies that you may have done that work to give power. Lookin for links, Forum and other Thread that my have this info.

Future plans are to get a 89-91 TII w/trans. and then exhaust, turbo upgrade and things of that nature.

Any help would be greatful, and thanks for the help.

sniperstevedave

Congratulations! Have you owned one before? I have owned a 7 for two months now, although I have been in love with rotarys since I learned of their existance.

Sounds like a general tune up is called for. Replace all filters and fluids, change plugs and wires, replace all hoses and belts, replace O2 sensor and thermostat. Then do a general run through the factory service manual to make sure everything is in spec.
A little smoke on startup is normal if it has been sitting overnight or longer, but if it has been run withing a couple hours it should start without any smoke. The tune up might help starting or more work may be required. As for the third problem you mentioned, remember that maximum torque is at 3500 to 4500 rpms, and maximum power is at 6500 rpms (for s4 models, i.e. up to 1989). The problem may be the throttle position sensor (TPS); I checked mine this week because I have a rough idle and found that it is out of spec and needs replaced. A malfunctioning TPS will cause rough idle and strange acceleration and deceleration. The O2 sensor might be giving the ECU a false reading, messing up the air/fuel ratios. The 7 should feel like a rocket... Depending on how good of condition you car is in, you might have to go through everything to make sure it all works. Is the engine getting air like it is supposed to, does it get fuel, are all the sensors working properly and getting the correct siqnal to the ECU, do the auxilary ports open when they should, etc. A lot of people tend to neglect their cars, and the RX-7 is more sensitive to bad maintanence than most (although probably on par with most true sports cars). I don't see much point in removing the emissions (if it works properly) until you are familar with the car, removing them wil just make things more confusing until then.

TjsRx7

I have never owned one, but have driven plenty cause a buddy of mine when we in HS he had 3 conv. 2 hatchback, 1 TII and now a 3 Gen.

That is what I was thinking it just need a really good tune up. I know the car will usually smoke just a little apon start-up but this isn't a little you can almost choke on this. the cloud is so bad sometimes you cant even see through it.

while driving it does have a small wining noise and a vibration? any thoughts

when you say the aux. ports its that on the throttle body?

TjsRx7

One more thing I seem to be burning a lot of fuel from home to work RT its about 85 miles I can use a whole half tank of gas. whats the deal?

Furb

iTrader: (2)

heavy right foot??

sniperstevedave

The smoke may mean you have some kind of slow coolant leak, which is bad. If so, I think you will probably have to replace the coolant seals in the engine, which means rebuild. Its sad that any 7 owner would let it get in such bad shape isn't it?

The auxilary ports are the 5th and 6th ports, near the secondary ports in the engine. At high engine speeds they are opened by the rotation of some sleeves in the throttle body.

I think the whinning sound may be common to all FCs, but am not sure.

Be aware that the fuel gauge sucks, it is not accurate. Calculate your mileage by how much fuel you put in at the pump, not by the gauge.

Black91n/a

Get it running right BEFORE doing mods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Modding an engine that's not running right won't give you more power, you need to fix it before you do anything else. A lot of the "emissions crap" actually helps the engine operate better and is detrimental to remove, and is illegal and will fail you if you have to get it tested (will make it harder to sell after if the person lives in a smog checked area).

REPLACE: plugs, plug wires, ALL fluids (oil, coolant, tranny fluid, diff fluid), any worn out belts, soft hoses, ALL fluid filters (oil and fuel, both of them), any leaking seals, the pulsation damper, O2 sensor.

Look at the coolant and oil, if either looks vaguely like mayonayse the two fluids are mixing in the engine, very bad. You probably need to get the injectors cleaned, that's usually the cause of flooding and hard starting. Get a compression test done. The rotary needs a special tester that only the dealer is likely to have. A properly running rotary shouldn't smoke. A little bit on start up is reasonably common and isn't that bad, but if it's smoking a lot then there's probably something wrong. Usually smoking is a sign that a rebuild is needed.

A whining noise could be caused by a worn transmission or differential, or an upset passenger. Vibrations may be a worn driveshaft or wheels out of balance.

RoughRex

What color is the smoke? it's fuel, oil, or coolant. Fuel and coolant both make white smoke but coolant will make the exhaust smell sweet. Oil will make blueish smoke. I'm betting on Fuel from leaky injectors. Take them out and send them off to be professionally cleaned. EDIT* White smoke could also be water condensed in the exhaust but....that usually only happens on cool mornings.

Probably leaky injectors. I have this issue with my car too. I've learned that I have to let the car warm almost all the way up before I can shut it off or it can be a serious PITA to start next time.

Sounds like Tune-up time. plugs/wires etc...etc be sure to check you TPS.

TjsRx7

Thanks for the help! I believe the smoke is a blueish color, which would mean oil, but it is kinda hard to tell some times. I have been working on cars since I was 7 but they were all piston engines, but this rotary engine is a work of art. The other night I did add some lucas oil stabilizer and a little 20w-50 to the engine cause it was low and cause it is getting a little cooler out now, but that morning it did smoke but that night when I got off and started it up It hardly even smoked so what I am thinking is that it is time for a rebuild, cause the side seal that keep the oil out are kinda worn. Also what are your thoughts on the 3mm apex seals, I do plan on turbocharging this car. Again thanks for all the help.

Black91n/a

When it gets colder you want thinner oil, not thicker, 10W-30 is better for the winter, if it's really cold, then something thinner like 5W-15, or whatever the thinner oils are.

On the turbocharging subject, it's difficult to do to an NA car, you'll have to custom build a bunch of stuff to do it. It's generally considered better and easier to swap in the whole TII engine, computer and drivetrain (the NA tranny and diff are weaker). For your case you'd probably want to stick with factory 2mm seals.

Secondmessiah

in addition to the tune up stuff, get your injectors cleaned

edit: that was assumeing your start up smoke was gas, turns out its oil, its still a good idea though, at the very least, try a little seafoam

RoughRex

It could just be leaky oil injectors.