Well guys, I finally got my car back together and running today. I think I started on the project about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I had to replace the lower intake gasket, which was severely blown (about two 1/2" sections were completely gone). Also, contrary to what others told me, the new LIM gasket I got from Mazda was metal, instead of the original fiber.

My crazy uncontrollable high idle (so bad it was difficult to drive) is fixed. Also, my fuel smell that I got under boost is gone. FINALLY! I bought this car in December, knowing it had these problems, and now its starting to behave like it should I also replaced all my coolant hoses, thermostat, vac lines, pulsation dampener, rad cap... pretty much everything that might go bad. About the only thing that scares me now is that I still have the plastic AST... trying to decide whether to eliminate it or get an aluminum one.

My next project is to install boost and water temp gauges. I already have the stuff, and I installed the water temp sender in the thermostat housing when I had it out.

My other goal is to beat the crap out of the engine (original engine with 86K) and try to blow it before my warranty runs out in December.

Oh yeah... I also put on an HKS downpipe when I had it all apart. I can hear the turbos spool up a lot more now, but I haven't really noticed a big change in power.

Thanks for all your help. This forum just has TONS of valuable info.

Paul

 

throw a midpipe on without tuning the fuel for higher boost...that'll blow your engine...

 

so what was causing the fuel leak?

 

jspecracer: Good idea I just gotta be careful so they can't figure out *why* it blew

rx7 lover: I think I was getting a fuel smell from the leaking LIM gasket. Under boost, it would push the fuel/air mixture out through the leak.

Paul