OK. so i bought a non-running FD and I'm curious to the problem. The engine LOOKS fine, no cracks, funny smells, oil etc etc. So I try to start this car and the motor turns over but never starts... ok...not a starter...alternator.... So I try again.. this time pressing the pedal ever so slightly. Still nothing. The guy I bought it from said he blew the motor on the highway. He said that It just cut off on him with no smoke or oil or lock-up and it would only stay on with his foot on the gas and the car in gear (jump starting) on the highway. During that time, she would spudder and spit as if she were running out of gas... Sounds to me this fool had a fuel pump or an ignition problem... Any suggestions?? Also if any one in and around Charlotte, NC would be so kind to come by and help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

If the guy who sold the car said he blew the engine, I would believe him. That means the engine will have to be rebuilt or replaced. You're looking at somewhere around a $4,000 bill. The engine will have to be removed from the car.

If I had to guess I'd say the previous owner broke an apex seal through detonation, which means the engine, if you get it started, will only run on one rotor.

But, of course, you could get really lucky and it turn out to be some sort of ignition or fuel pump problem. Try getting a compression test from a rotary engine specialist.

 

If he did blow (detonation) the engine and it broke more than one APEX seal per rotor, that would cause the problem. You need to have the engine's compression tested with the rotory digital compression tester.

 

ok so I'll get the compression tester... any ideas on cost??? Any other equipment to buy??

 

If you feel like having it towed to a reputable shop out of town, take it to Mazcare in Marietta, GA (just north of Atl). They primarily work on RX-7's and I've had great experiences there.