This is my story, I just came back from college for thanksgiving break and tried to start up my 1987 TII RX7 (after a month of being at school) and found the battery was completely dead. Anyways, after recharging the battery it was 2:43 am and when we finally got it to start (took many tries because we flooded it) I noticed a flame coming from the back lower right side of the engine bay. I'm not exactly sure what it was coming from, but I have pictures attached as to where I believe it originated from. I'm not sure if i saw an actual flame, or just an orange/yellow glow. We didn't restart the car to take pictures of the flame, but I would describe it as being...not very large, and it stopped as soon as the car was turned off. I bought my car approx a month ago and haven't noticed it before, however I have not driven my car very much yet. The car drove fine 400 miles home from detroit and has not been driven since then. I'm thinking it might have something to do with the exhaust system...but I'm new with cars and would appreciate any advice or help given. Thanks in advance.

pics will be attached in a min

 

1st pic

 

Arg...posting attachments isn't working so here we go.

I think this is the best picture, all the way back and down...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/254026/ct1.jpg


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/254026/ct3.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-6/254026/ct2.jpg

 

theres 2 or 3 fuel lines that come from there, also the fuel filter is right there. make sure you check that out and replace all the lines before you drive it.

D

 

yet i second what bejibs said..that is scary to see flames coming from there

 

that is also where the leading/trialing spark plugs are, are they all acounted for?

 

Probably a cracked spark plug wire.

 

fyi my exhaust system is pretty rusted, would a hole in the exhaust system be causing this?

on another note, raising the car to check it out in a hour

 

Well A flame from a cracked line wouldn't stop once the engine is off becaise there would be fuel pressure and would still make the flame last.

Aaron had a good idea about a plug wire.
It's possible there's a loose wire causing a spark.

If ther is a hole big enough in the exhaust you might be seeing the flames reflecting or something like that.

 

Exhaust system is on the passenger side.

 

I know that's why I said reflecting.

 

Perhaps your starter was overheating or something crazy? I've seen some wicked sparks and light coming from mine before.

 

ok, its definately sparks. but we can't jack the car because the jacking point is so rusted that it bends and cracks when we try to jack it. any advice?

 

what kind of jack are you using? The stock scissor, or a hydraulic floor jack? If it's a hydraulic floor, either use the engine cross bar, or a control arm. It's probably your starter.

 

ok, drove the car around, stalled it and now the motor won't turn over at all. probally the starter...

 

sounds like it. Might be bad connections or bad start.

If you use a piece of wood and a floor jack on the double plating at the very front ofthe rail it usually doesn't crush.

Other than that spot the engine sub frame works.

 

Could be that the starters shorting out (I've done that before) Makes for a hell of a spark show! Disconnect the power and crawl under there and look for any burnt wires/etc.

 

The starter would not have caused it to stall though, or did it just stall cuz you havent drivin it in so long..

 

its b/c i suck at drivin stick... going to buy a new starter asap...