3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Starting an engine that hasn't been run in a long time?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-03-14, 10:54 PM
  #1  
I just want to drive it.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Mazda_Power's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Starting an engine that hasn't been run in a long time?

Hello all. It's been a long time. I bought my car back in 2005 wrecked and without an engine. College and life came along so there was no time or money to put the RX7 back together until now. I ended up buying a front clip. First off since I don't know/trust the last time it was started is there anything I should do? I'd like to start it up in the clip and do a compression test since I have a few suspicions about the engine. Looks like an GReddy/HKS single turbo kit with a vmount. Turbo is a TD06 25G. Not my first choice, but will work for now. Sorry for being a bit long winded, but I'm excited about my car for the first time in years. I've heard ATF... Marvel Mystery oil... fresh engine oil.. Anyone tried anything that's worked better than anything else?

Edit. I get a kick out of the ground kit they installed in JDM land.
Attached Thumbnails Starting an engine that hasn't been run in a long time?-securedownload-1-.jpg   Starting an engine that hasn't been run in a long time?-securedownload.jpg  
Old 06-03-14, 11:30 PM
  #2  
Stock boost FTW!

iTrader: (22)
 
Project88Turbo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Berlin, MD
Posts: 1,134
Received 110 Likes on 71 Posts
First thing I'd do is make sure it turns over with socket on the crank bolt. I'd squirt some 2 stroke oil into the chambers and rotate the engine several times. Then do a compression test. If the compression test looks good proceed.

Next, sell me that SWEET triangulated strut tower brace!

Looks like you got some sweet goodies with the clip though!

Vince
Old 06-04-14, 10:49 AM
  #3  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
Gilgamesh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: hsv al
Posts: 845
Received 14 Likes on 12 Posts
some JDM would be worthless if they had a coolant seal failure and sat for year.

if they wont do a simple compression test then its not worth the risk. otherwise your buying a blown motor with parts.

i would try to boroscope and see whats inside. but it being inside the clip is a little more difficult than pulling off the turbo and looking in the exhaust ports
Old 06-04-14, 02:01 PM
  #4  
I just want to drive it.

Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Mazda_Power's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Duluth, MN
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sounds good. Is there a good way to test compression with a typical compression gauge?
Old 06-04-14, 02:12 PM
  #5  
Rotary Enthusiast

 
Gilgamesh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: hsv al
Posts: 845
Received 14 Likes on 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Mazda_Power
Sounds good. Is there a good way to test compression with a typical compression gauge?
yea, youtube it to get a better idea.

its not THE ABSOLUTE BEST way.... but you can quickly determine health by it.
Old 06-04-14, 07:35 PM
  #6  
Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
 
IRPerformance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 11,347
Received 317 Likes on 190 Posts
Do what Project88Turbo said. Change ALL the fluids in the car (oil, coolant, trans, diff, brake fluid) Pull the egi fuse and crank the motor for 10 seconds at a time 3 times to build some oil pressure. Then try to start it. You need the engine to be at operating temperature for an accurate compression test. If it won't start, then you can do a test to at least see if you have compression. That won't tell you if you have a coolant seal failure. Only a coolant system pressure test or time will. JDM motors are junk for anything except spare parts. 9 times out of 10 I see something wrong with them.
Old 06-04-14, 09:38 PM
  #7  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (22)
 
Rx7aholic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Morris Plains, NJ USA
Posts: 1,922
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Hey like everyone said above do it, btw make sure when u change the coolant u removed the engine drain plug on the side. I happen to buy jdm clip about 1.5 years and I ran the clip for couple of days, the trick I did was use my old fuel pump, and buck of gas, submerge the pump and hook up the 2 fuel line, one for injector and other return, i can run it like that until gas was empty from the bucket. I had post some parts for sale last year and I believe the video was on it, do a search under my name, I though I have it on my laptop but it had crash twice so i lost all of my info. Also when i did my compression with the Mazda tester, I got 9.2, 9.3, 9.5 ft, rear 9.3,9.5, 9.6 r, so you never know
Old 06-04-14, 09:45 PM
  #8  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (22)
 
Rx7aholic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Morris Plains, NJ USA
Posts: 1,922
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
VIDEO0022 - YouTube
I found it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pcgh...ature=youtu.be
Old 06-05-14, 09:49 AM
  #9  
Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
 
IRPerformance's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 11,347
Received 317 Likes on 190 Posts
I had a JDM engine with over 100k miles that still had compression between 95 and 100 psi on all faces. My customer wanted to single turbo it but I convinced him to let me tear down the motor and look it over. Good thing because the water jacket on the front iron was cracked through and the coolant seal would have failed in a very short amount of time. You could have great compression, but still have a coolant seal or oil ring issue.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
11-17-15 05:57 PM
ashleymiche
Introduce yourself
0
08-14-15 12:59 PM
zuesskroph
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
0
08-13-15 06:05 PM



Quick Reply: Starting an engine that hasn't been run in a long time?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:59 PM.