Greetings:

I just purchased a nice '84 GSL for my 16 year old daughter. The car has been garage stored for the last 10 or 11 years and I haven't tried to turn it over, other than by hand (to make sure it's not seized)..

Is there anything I should do before trying to start it. The coolant and all levels look good. How about taking out the plugs and shooting some ATF to help with the compression at first?

Here are some pictures of the car (and her proud new owner!):

<http://www.sentex.net/tedds_place/rearview-rx7.jpg>
<http://www.sentex.net/tedds_place/sideview-rx7.jpg>
<http://www.sentex.net/tedds_place/washing-rx7.jpg>

I'm not new to the rotary scene, as I had an RX-3 station wagon about 25 years ago!!

I would love to talk to anyone who is in the Kitchener area for any tips and suggestions. I live in Mannheim. You can email me directly at ve3tjd (at) rac.ca.

Thanks, Tedd

 

has it been ran in the last 10 years?

if not, pull the spark plugs, make sure they're in good shape.
add some diesel down the throats of the carb (maybe 3oz down each primary barrel), crank it over slowly by hand a few times, and let it sit a few days.

Change the oil and coolant. Change the transmission and diff fluids after you get it running.

After its sat for a few days, and the oil/coolant have been changed, crank it over (with the plugs out).. if it sounds even and not like a galloping horse, crank it over a bit more.. smoke should come out of the holes... if it does, you're in business... put the plugs back in, try and start it up!

crank it over for 3-4 seconds and THEN pull the choke, it may start easier that way (or not require the choke at all).

 

Also be sure to drain the old fuel. Its definately no good after sitting for that long.

I'll be in the KW area when the semester starts in 2-3 weeks.

 

Thanks for the quick tips guys. The car hasn't been touched in
10 years, but at least the previous owner has the forsight to remove
the battery, and the battery box is in excellent condition.

I'll get some diesel fuel tonight and pour it down the primaries. Would be nice to try and start her this weekend!

I noticed that the choke doesn't stay out? Is this normal. I raced mustangs back in the 70's and 80's, and all the manual chokes I
had would stay out and I had to manually push them back in.

Thanks again guys.

Tedd, VE3TJD

 

Sorry, but I guess the pictures didn't come through....

Tedd

 

Im my dads 1st gen the choke wont stay out unless the ignition is turned to on, or if i remeber correctly it may even have to be running (in which case you would have to hold it until it starts).

The car looks great! Hope you get it running well.

 

Ignition needs to be on for the choke to stay on. working properly, it turns itself off too.

I'd be a little careful with diesel, and ATF too. Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) is likely the safest way to start an engine.

In terms of starting procedure, FEDS follows this one:

1. change oil
2. change coolant
3. remove spark plugs
4. check for spark
5. crank engine over 5-10 seconds. Check for compression pulses (cranking also pumps some oil through the system)
6. Make sure there is fuel in the lines/bowls
7. plugs back in
8. little shot of quickstart
9. Fire at will.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFO!!!!!!!!!

When cranking the motor with the plugs out, make sure your plugs and wires are either disabled, or VERY far from the plug holes. While cranking, the engine will shoot a fine mist of fuel and air out the plug holes, which is HUGELY explosive, and an erantly placed wire can cause a prety good fireball (ask me how I know)

 

Hi,

The manual choke has an electromagnet that keeps the choke open until water temperture is at operating temp the a relay cuts off the magnet and the choke retracts.

 

You'll probably need a few pumps of the gas pedal before cranking too... just like your lawnmower . I usually put a little bit of motor oil down the carb before starting after long storage, but as you can see, everyone has their own method. Car looks really clean!

 

Looks like a good find. I'd replace those tires though. After ten years the rubber won't be what it once was--- not a good problem to have on a car that begs to be driven quickly through the twisties.

You may also want to do a thorough cooling system flush. Other items that may also need attention include the brake hoses, bleed both the brakes and clutch lines and check the ball joints for looseness and/or ruptured grease seals.

 

More then you ever wanted to know:

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

also see

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/storage.htm