unknown engine problem
 

i was driving my 86 rx the other day and i heard a pop (under the hood). well after the pop i didnt really notice anything wrong right away, still had oil pressure and the engine check light didnt even come on. well i pulled it over to the side of the road and as soon as the engine went below 1500rpm it died. i was able to restart it but there was almost no hp at all. it was sluggish to restart and chugged alot. it will start but as soon as it drops below 1500rpm it dies everytime.

i changed out the spark plugs thinking that may be it but it is still doing the same thing.

here is my thought process, i am asking for any information on this because i DONT want to take it to an import shop and get screwed.

1. ignition coil
2. spark plug wire
3. fuses controlling the coils (i have heard that there are fuses there but i cant locate them, help if you can)
4. fuel pump (hence one chamber not getting fuel)
5. clogged fuel line
6. clogged (or bad) fuel injector
7.
8.
9.
10. apex seal (oh lord i hope not)

could you help me out if you can?

10 i have the same problem next it will start to leak anit freeze so your better off gettin new apex seals now b4 you really hurt the motor the cheapest i seen was 240 bucks, but luckly im gettin a TII motor off my brother hehe. but sorry your motors gone

how mant miles on the engine? I woudl guess it's blown. Start reading up on rebuilds!

There is no special mileage number on the odometer where the motor just automatically blows.

I suggest you take the educated approach to this theory and do a compression test to find out if you blew an apex seal or something.

Do a search on the poor man's compresssion test if you cant get to a dealer and have one properly done.

It's definately a popped apex seal.Most likely the rear one.Same thing happened to me:(

well ok, i was really hoping that it wasnt an apex seal but being that it sounds like it is, how much (typically) does something like that cost to repair?

i have heard that the apex going out means either a new engine or a complete rebuild of the engine.

is this true?

You have to take apart the engine to replace seals (whether apex or coolant seals) so it will be considered a rebuid.

It can be considered a rebuild..unless u want a new engine. If you want a new engine u might as well get one now :p: