Here is my dilemma:

I am tired of my daily driver. I want another second gen RX-7. I found one in pretty good shape about 200 miles away from me at a dealership with a mazda rem. engine, for less than $2k. The previous owner never picked it up from Mazda.

The salesman can't give me an estimate of how long the car sat (he didn't have the file with him) He said the car has 14X,XXX miles on it, and it has been driven 75-100 miles since the rebuild.

I'm thinking of selling my daily driver because it's had some problems and I cant even change the oil without having to take the battery out.

If you were in this situation, what would you do?

Thanks,
Craig

 

go for it

 

How likely is it that it sat for a year with a Mazda reman'd and its still in good shape?

 

should be fine, mine has 88K on it's original, non-rebuilt motor and it sat for 18 months without ever being started, while I was waiting to replace the clutch. Now that the tranny work is done it started up and runs fine.

 

Since it could have been sitting for a year is there anything in particular I should look out for?

 

I'd get a compression test to make sure.... just to be safe.

Also, your car now... why do you have to take out the battery to change the oil? I'm a bit confused?'

 

There just isn't enough room for my hands or any tools to fit down there. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

If thats the case, insist on a full warranty for the motor. they should be very willing considering they installed the motor 100 miles ago

Simple, jack the car up and remove the drain plug from the bottom as was intended. I am clueless as to why the battey has anything to do with an oil change???

 

I'm not sure why you're trying to reach the drain plug for the oil on top of the engine.

All you do is jack up hte car... and it's about... 3/4th? I dunno... ways into the car.. you'll feel the nut.

 

I'm not sure about getting a warranty on the motor, the car has been out of the shop for quite some time...maybe a year or more. About changing the oil, i was talking abot the oil filter. I cant fit an oil filter wrench or my hand in there, it's under the intake manifold, i have to take the battery out to take it off.

Craig

 

Ah..... I see now...

I guess I still don't understand why the battery is in the way of the oil filter. Is your battery relocated in a different spot than where it is stock?


Last time I had trouble getting the filter off, I took a hammer and punched a hole in it, and pulled it off. It might work.... but I dunno...

I'd get that warranty on the motor, still.... have you gone and check for compression yet?

 

we today started car which had engine sitting in it for couple years ( probably 7 or so ) and it started up perfectly once we figured out all burnt and non-working electronics.....

 

The battery is in the stock location, the engine bay is just so packed i cant fit anything in it (including my hands). I've changed my oil in it before, i just think it sucks having to take a bunch of stuff apart.

 

If its been sitting for a year it will probably have stale gas.

BG44K

 

About the compression test... I live about 200 miles away so it'll be some time before I can go down there.