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?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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)

 

Thank you Dialbolical you've been more than helpful!

 

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 ><>