Did I blow my engine? Please Help!
 

Here is a quick description of what is happening. I bought a 1993 RX7. It seemed like it had really low power. Further investagation I found a hose with a huge leak.

When I changed the hose it dramatically increased the power. So much that the car only lasted about 3 days. It started backfireing a little. Then more... and more...

On the way home on time it back fired so much that it screwed something up... I lost power... and could not keep it above 30-45 MPH... My freind had to actually back off because there were flames shooting out of my exaust.

I got it home. Parked it. And it died. I could still get it started, but had keep giving it gas to keep it running. We reved it up enough to make it back fire to check out what we thought at the time were cool flames. It backfired really loud and then surpriseingly it stayed running. Ran very rough... but didnt have to keep the gas on it to run.

It is now in the garage and will not start. Is it to the point that I need to save up for another engine? Or are there some simple things to check first? The engine only has 70,000 miles on it.

I changed the plugs right away. Checked the sensor thing everyone talks about. I am more leaning towards "seals"

Is that right? But... why cant I get it started?

was it bogging then backfireing, say started bogging around 2-3k rpm?
if so check for codes, then reset ecu

thats the onlyu thing i can think of but then again i dont know to much yet

does the car have a cat on it?

Do a compression check first:

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/3r...ion_check.html

Map sensor hose may have come off.

That won't keep the car from starting, it will just make it run like crap.

Only? :squint:

Do you have a boost gauge? How much boost were you seeing when the car was 'running really well'?

Same thing was happening to mine, so i just went on and rebuilt my motor. I took my car to ROTARY PERFORMANCE [ RX7.COM] awsome people :icon_tup: btw. I think u need to start thinking about a rebuilt. :squint:

hey welcome to the club that none wants to be apart of. I am a two time member myself :)


no seriously if that's all of the info you have it's tough to tell if your engine is gone. Listen to Mahjik about doing a compresion test

well..... its better than 170,000 (if a 93 can even get close to that) lol :MissileSm
I checked the MAP sensor... seems to be fine...


as for a compression test I have not done that yet... I have been wanting to get out there to check it out but its way too cold right now... avg highs are in the negatives... not counting windchills... RX7 + cold = :balls:
I have heard of a guy/place in PA that is real good with FD's... does anyone know who i am thinking of? If I am right it sounds like for around $4500 I can get a rebuild and single turbo upgrade with new cooling system and some other goodies?

as for the cat... yes

do you have a boost gauge mounted ? , if so what reading (vacuum) where you getting when idling ?

sorry forgot about that ?

I do not have a boost gauge

http://www.kdrotary.com/

Dave

There is absolutely no way that you'll get a rebuild *and* a single turbo upgrade for $4500. Maybe $4500 each :)

yeah... im not 100% sure on that price... thats what I remember though...

Ok, please tell me you didn't pay more than 10K for the thing because this really sounds bad. I have nothing but compassion and sympathy for you. You are exactly where I was when I bought my FD on Ebay. I didn't know a damn thing about these cars and the things that can go wrong and what to look for when buying one. I know a lot now but it was all learned the hard way. These cars are works of art and are amazing pieces of engineering with their tiny 1.3 L motors that put out 255 HP and propel you from 0 - 60 in 4.9 sec (according to the mazda literature). But they are somewhat fragile and fussy in many ways. All of us that own them really love them for their strengths and in spite of their weaknesses almost as if they were our children.

Here is a saying that I read in this forum somewhere and is always running through my mind when I think about my RX7:

If it is FAST & RELIABLE - It won't be CHEAP
If it is CHEAP & RELIABLE - It won't be FAST
If it is FAST & CHEAP - It sure the hell won't be RELIABLE!

This ought to be etched into some stone tablets and buried somewhere :wallbash:

Best of luck. This forum is the best source of information I've ever found on RX7s.

Hahaha..If only that were possible,we'd all be driving around with 400+ rwhp..Focus on getting your car running properly first,and then worry about power.

use an ebay turbo kit, and instead of a mazda rebuild, just use a 5 gallon bucket with some tennis balls in it. slap that baby in that engine bay and youve got 400 to the wheels.

other than that, theres no way your ever gonna get a rebuild and a single turbo kit for $4500

That's the thing, I didn't really pay for the car. I had a 2000 Toyota Celcia (slow as fuck but reliable) I got broken into and needed about $6000 worth of repairs. I still owed about $7500. Instea of fixing the car I traded it for the RX7 and $1500. I now owe about $9000. At the time. I thought it was a steal. Now I am beginning to wonder. I am still new at this as well.



Now about the tennis balls and eBay turbos. I now 90% of eBay turbos are crap. But what brand of tennis balls works best? lol

wilson works good, you can use golf balls too... use titleist.

lol! :D

How about basketball? Will that boost the power? lol



In everyones honest opinion... If I owe about $9000 on this car... how much shit am I in if any at all?

I wont take any hard feelings :)

What you need to do is either borrow a piston engine compression tester from someone or go buy one from Sears. Do a quickie compression test on the car and then you'll know where you stand.

*IF* the engine is blown, talk to Kevin at: http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/

Have you got a compression tester yet? Here is a thread that shows video footage of other people's compression tests:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/compression-test-video-what-do-you-see-575605/


You just need to hold down the "pressure relief" valve on a standard compression tester, because you want to monitor the three pulses in a row.


PS, if you do have an issue that requires a rebuild, be sure to clean your intake manifolds very thoroughly, and clean or replace the oil lines and oil cooler as well. The last thing you want is debris from an old motor chewing up your new motor.

-s-