pdtaylor18

I have a 1992 FD that refuses to start. The problem started several months ago and it ended up at a RX7 specialist. Compression was down to 5 and 6's and a full rebuild was caried out. The car was only tuned by WGT in Cheshire 3 weeks ago and its behaved perfectly ever since. My problem has returned whereby it runs with no problem what soever the day before and then the next day it will not start. I am beginning to wonder whether the rebuilt was even necessary but i do have to rely on some honesty in this world. So what have i done and what does work,well luckily i have several spares so changed : Have checked main relay, fuel pump and relay both work but unable to test pressure, have got 4 good sparks(new plugs from rebuild and covered 1000 miles), ECU (swopped for standard) and currently have a PFC with commander. Circuit open relay works but swopped it anyway. The only thing linked is the crank angle sensor and as i have spark and fuel pump running i assume that takes that out of the equation. Checked the clutch switchand thats ok. I have another pump to put in as i really suspect its fuel related as i do not get that much smell of fuel after all the turning over. The battery is good to. Mods are just the usual in blitz back box, ARC intercooler and hard pipes. PFC and nothing else to affect this problem. Can anyone help? I do need to find out why it will not start after being perfect the day before. I also want to know why the rebuild cured the fault if i suspect its fuel related, engine harnes or fuel pipes that get disconnected during engine and gearbox out?? over to you guys.......

pdtaylor18

well as luck would have it the pump I sourced from the scrapyard is an uprated version, this slotted in nicely but the problem is still the same. However I really let it fly this time and the engine is almost catching but just not enough. Its as if there is just not enough fuel getting through, I know i have spark so what the heck is stopping it. Its a shame i could not pressure test it but i have not gauge to do this.

Ibumar

Sounds like it might be flooded.
Search for "flooded" to find a lot of info on how to fix it.

pdtaylor18

well i thought of that one and have taken the plugs out and back in again abd to no avail, I might buy another set of plugs though as i know a specialist that went through a brand new set, this did not start it and then he put another new set in which did. bizarre!! anyway its not flooded.

pdtaylor18

well after disconnecting the fuel lines at the engine end and trying that along with a shot or two of engine oil in through the vacuum orifice it dcided to eventually fire up and behave as if nothing was wrong. The oil down the tube definately made it fire more than it did with out. I made sure I got a good flow and then primed the line again with the pump running only. So the burning Q is whether it was flooded or was it fuel starvation of some sort. Are all the problems RX7 owners have really flooding or something else? I can get hold of a boroscope probe that will enable me to see in through the trailing plug hole, because its flexible i should see most of the internals, if it happens again i will have a look and see if its flooded,saves taking all the plugs out which is a huge pain in the rear.
As with most RX owners and especially me as I am an aircraft engineer for the RAF I do find it hard to comprehend how it works one day and not the next. We all look for the technical components that might be faulty but rarely find anything wrong. The RX is a breed of its own and therefore requires good technical knowledge, this forum does just that. Keep it alive.

fd0

iTrader: (8)

If it's a rebuilt engine, you will have low compression until the apex seals wear into rotor housings properly.

I also had problems with my car flooding after a rebuild and I eventually had to tow start it to make it work for the first time.

If you're continuing to have problems starting, look into your fuel. You need just the right amount of fuel mixed in with air to properly combust. If it's too lean or rich, no combustion but since your an aircraft engineer I'm sure you already know.

Good luck with your endeavors. Check to see if your fuel injectors are leaking or not, that could be it.

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

Im having the same problem as well.

I never had engine problems from the first day i brought the FD home which was 2 years ago. Always idled perfectly, vaccum was perfect. Then one day, i did the normal warmup since i dont use it practically at all in the winter and it idle perfect for like 4 minutes, then idle dropped for 10 seconds, then died.

It wouldnt restart since then (this was a month ago btw). I immediately thought spark so i changed the ignitor, coils, plugs and wires since it was that time anyway. No go, i thought maybe my fuel gauge is funked up (it was showing 1/4) so i added 2 more gallons just in case. Nothing.

So now i came to another assumption that my fuel pump crapped out. That or my fuel filter is clogged. Although im almost certain the car will start even though the fuel filter is clogged. My car just cranks and cranks but will not start. I havent diagnosed it fully yet, im most likely gonna tow it to a shop but i was just wondering is it common for FD fuel pumps to crap out?

I have 70k miles btw.

Master_Tao

iTrader: (7)

mine died on me at 38k

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

Yeah, i been readin alot on this forum where the stock fuel pump gives people problems. It either craps out early or becomes faulty at times as it ages more.

I just never had a car in the past where all of a sudden the pump dies without at least some notice (not that it can really lol)

No wonder people swap in supra fuel pumps

I think i may have to purchase that.