General Rotary Tech Support Use this forum for tech questions not specific to a certain model year

Rotary longevity question, please help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-04-02, 02:45 AM
  #1  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Hugo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rotary longevity question, please help

I've recently been found a good deal on a 1987 non-turbo RX-7. The driver got in a minor accident a year and a half ago and since then the car has just sat. I've heard that rotary engines can go bad if they sit for too long.. do you think buying this car would be too risky?
Old 09-04-02, 03:33 PM
  #2  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,807
Received 305 Likes on 265 Posts
if i were in the position you are in, i would probably try to start the car and see for myself what kind of condition the engine appears to be.

use oil or ATF to get some lubrication directly on the apex seals, turn it by hand for a few revolutions, and then try to start it.

obviously, i can't state that rotaries going bad because they sit is a myth, but i can say that my brother stores his Rx-7 for months (sometimes over a year) at a time, and does nothing to it, but charge the battery and start it up when he's ready to drive it.
Old 09-04-02, 04:51 PM
  #3  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Hugo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With different cars, they can be turned by hand in different fashions.. with older cars you can simply grab the fan and twist it around.

My dad has an 1957 MG type A and a 1969 MBB-GT.. both of those you can slip the car into 3rd gear with it turned off.. then push the car back and forth a few times to turn it over.

How may I turn over a Second Generation RX-7?
Old 09-04-02, 05:02 PM
  #4  
Moderator

iTrader: (3)
 
diabolical1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: FL
Posts: 10,807
Received 305 Likes on 265 Posts
just get a 19mm ratchet/socket combo ... put it on the main bolt (the main pulley) and turn the engine clockwise (when looking from the front)
Old 09-04-02, 11:16 PM
  #5  
Junior Member

Thread Starter
 
Hugo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you Dialbolical you've been more than helpful!
Old 09-10-02, 08:51 PM
  #6  
Full Member

 
MisterMatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yeah, I'd try with the ATF thing...just put it into the rotor chamber through the spark plug holes. It's going to work out. It should start up...especially if it has only been a year, but just also make sure that the gas hasn't gone bad...and change the fuel filter and clean out the lines and the tank. It should work just fine.
Grace&Peace
<>< Matt ><>
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
msilvia
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
28
04-14-16 12:58 PM
turbo-minivan
Introduce yourself
3
08-27-15 07:56 AM
elfking
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
3
08-19-15 09:48 PM
Professorpeanutrx7
New Member RX-7 Technical
5
08-15-15 01:38 PM



Quick Reply: Rotary longevity question, please help



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:59 PM.