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Bought an FD, started once, now won't fire.

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Old 08-04-19, 05:04 PM
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Bought an FD, started once, now won't fire.

Hi,
This is my 2nd FD, it sat for 5+ years in a parking lot.
Started it in the lot, ran it for a few minutes, flat tires so didn't drive it.
Towed it home, turned it over, drove it up the driveway and stalled it out, pushed it back into garage rather than jump it again.
Now, changed battery, added oil, it was dry. Added gas, it was bone dry, car won't fire, but will turn over.
Changed the spark plugs, checked my wires and fuses, deflooded just in case and put oil in the plug chamber for compression.
I can smell gas in the exhaust now 👍, so it has fuel.
STILL WON'T START.
I've been scouring threads trying every suggested test and remedy, nothing.
Suggestions, trouble shooting?
Old 08-04-19, 09:57 PM
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Simple tests is to see if you are gettinig ignition from the coils. If you smell fuel then the injecotrs work, its just the plugs not firing. Checking for spark is pretty easy just use a spare plug and ground it to some metal and crank. Pretty easy test to make sure you got spark. And to help, unplug the fuel fuse that way you dont flood.
Old 08-04-19, 10:39 PM
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Tested the spark...good to go. Checked the plugs, dry, so not flooded either. Stumped.
Don't have a compression tester
Old 08-04-19, 10:44 PM
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Did a side by side with my other FD. Nothing different except one doesn't fire. I don't get it.
Old 08-05-19, 12:45 AM
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I then wonder if the fuel pressure may not be enough. After the first start up, there may be a clog somewhere in the fuel lines or the fuel filter. I went and swapped everything i could find in relation to ignition that i could find.
Old 08-05-19, 08:53 AM
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You can rent a compression tester at a parts store; I'd suggest doing that and seeing what you've got to work with.
Old 08-05-19, 11:07 AM
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I wonder if that 5+ year old gas from the parking lot was still any good.
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Old 08-05-19, 11:55 AM
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Natey,
They had turned it over every few weeks, and there was only enough for it to run for about 5 min max before it went dry when I checked it out, then I added 2 gallons of premium after that.
Old 08-14-19, 02:50 PM
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Found it....after pulling the fuel pump with a buddy, checking bag, lines, making sure it runs, turns out the fuel filter is the issue. Pump is working, but no fuel making it down the line.
Yay, worst thing ever to change on an FD, just had to be the fuel filter. 🤦*♂️
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Old 08-17-19, 04:25 PM
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Hey Man, been a while. PM me if you want to borrow my Rotary Compression tester. I'll just ship it to you or bring it down with me next time I go tuna fishing. Should be next week I think.
Old 08-20-19, 09:31 AM
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It was the filter, replaced, and fired right up. 👍
Old 09-11-19, 03:28 PM
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Annndddd now it won't start again...ugh
Old 09-11-19, 03:47 PM
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Did you ever fix what plugged your fuel filter to begin with?
Old 09-17-19, 09:53 AM
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I changed out the entire filter and it drove fine for about a 1/2 tank. Now it starts, sputters and dies...maybe a thermo sensor...taking a break....frustration has gotten the better of me right now.
The AST had a weak seem and blew up on the road. The overflow tank fell apart....one thing after the next.
Old 09-17-19, 09:56 AM
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If I hold the key cranked it'll stay on, bad I know, and as soon as I stop "cranking" and let the key go into "on" position it sputters and shuts down. So, it's not the fuel line.
I had to hold it in crank and drive it a few feet uphill to park it.
Old 11-12-19, 06:51 PM
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Ok, new development...hope someone has some ideas.

It seems to be fine on a cold start, however, after driving it, it won't start again on a hot or even warm start.
Cools off for a few hours and it's fine again.

Any ideas?
Old 11-12-19, 07:31 PM
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Did you ever check the compression?
Old 11-12-19, 10:17 PM
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Not yet, not with a tester. Don't have access to one.
Drives fine, starts fine, when cold.
Old 11-13-19, 10:31 AM
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Check your compression before doing anything else

https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-ce...upbuy-1138786/
Old 11-13-19, 05:48 PM
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Champagne test?
Old 11-14-19, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by silverTRD
Champagne test?
Dare I ask. What's that?
Old 11-15-19, 10:15 AM
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Burp your coolant system with a Lisle funnel, then watch for bubble.
Old 11-15-19, 03:19 PM
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If you get a bunch of bubbles (after any entrapped air is burped), it's probably combustion gases, i.e failed o-rings
Old 11-17-19, 05:02 PM
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It’s called the champagne test because if you have a coolant seal issue the pressure from the housings creates tiny bubbles in your cooling system that look like champagne bubbles. If you have big bubbles that’s just trapped air in the system.
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