I just got an '82 Rx7 that has been in storage for several years. I got it home on a dolly, and now I'm trying to get it running. So far it won't fire at all. The engine cranks fairly well, but I get nothing.

First of all, it appears to have a half a tank of gas in it. Is there a good way to get the old fuel out without siphoning or is siphon the only way to go?

Second, I usually can bring a piston engine back from the dead, but I don't have the same experience with rotaries. For example, I would normally test if fuel was the problem with a quick shot of ether. if the engine runs, then it's cleary got at least adequate compression and a properly timed spark. With the rotary I've heard that starting fluid can kill them. If it were a piston engine and ether wasn't an option, I would try a shot of gas down the carb. On a rotary won't this just flood out the engine?

If it were an old mopar I would just kick the throttle once or twice while looking down the carb. If I saw gas squirt from the accelerator pump then I would know I was at least pumping fuel to the bowls. Is there a similar test for the Rx7? Assuming that the bowls were full of gas when it was parked a couple years ago, I probably have something nasty in the bowls.

The plug wires seem to be held on to the plugs by magic. They don't click in place the way I would expect. Is this normal?

I'm just lost as to where to begin with this thing.

Thanks in advance,

David

 

did you check for spark? drain the gas tank and fill her up with some clean gas. Buy new spark plugs.

 

and change the oil.

 

carb will probably need cleaning also.