Hey everyone!

My name is Dave and I just inherited an 87 RX-7 turbo. It was my step-son's car... (He was 20 years old, passed away a few weeks ago.) He inherited it from his father, who passed away a few years ago. It's a long story, but my son had lost his license and never did get to drive his dad's car. Now my wife and I have it, along with a far too large "fleet" of vehicles.

The car has some idle issues, I made the mistake of messing with the mechanical aspects of the idle, contrasted with actually getting a definitive diagnosis and repair of whatever is causing the trouble. Ironically, whatever the heck I did... I think washing it did the most good, it has decided to not stall at idle anymore.

We were going to get rid of this car, but having driven it around the block a few times (pocket rocket!)... I am SERIOUSLY considering hanging on to it. This little tidbit of information hasn't quite made it to the status of actual consideration by my wife, so that aspect may require the most assistance from my fellow members, lol

I do bring some things to the table for this forum-- In addition to my "regular" job as a Marine (retired) I often worked in the automotive industry as a "moonlighter", and am a former service manager at a couple of repair facilities in various places I was stationed.

I was the guy that the tech went to when he was about to break a fastener off so I could have the honor of both breaking it, AND being the poor SOB that "got" to advise the customer that I had done so, for example, lol

I live in Pennsylvania these days, but originally hail from Wisconsin--my real passion is the Green Bay Packers and making life a living hell whenever possible for my Minnesota Vikings fan friends.

I spent a lot of my life when in the states in the Washington, D.C. area(puzzle-palace, Quantico, Henderson Hall, etc.) -- So, that is where I am "mostly" from, if a jarhead can be "from" anywhere.

Anyway, I'm am liking this car far too much for my own good, and am really quite fearful that one of you guys or gals are actually going to help me get the damn thing running properly (I should mention I am VERY cheap, and absolutely HATE taking a car to a tech unless there are NO other viable options)

Also, as a bit of a "psuedo-expert" as related to automobiles, I thought I'd pass on a tidbit...

Did you guys and gals know that Mazda forgot to put pistons in my car? Who do I complain to?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Dave

 

Welcome to the forum.

And thank you for following the rules by giving us all a text-book intro to who you are and where you're coming from. Although it may be a sad story of how you came into possession of the car, I'm sure some time with the gas pedal on the floor will bring some enjoyment. And the collective knowledge you'll find here should be more than enough to teach you what you need to know about the car. Good luck breaking it to the wife.

Also, the person you may want to complain to about the lack of pistons would be Mr. Kenichi Yamamoto. It was his fault, but it may be a little tough to get in contact with him these days.

 

Both an amusing and sad story.

Welcome to the club hope you get to keep the car

 

The good news is that the small amount of $$$ that the car would actually bring does not seem to equate to the pleasure that one can derive from driving it.

My wife once bought me an Infiniti M-30 convertible on e-bay. I had to fly from BWI to Overbrook, Kansas to get it, plus drive it back. I went "slow" getting home...real slow.

Anyone that has never done such a thing, I recommend it. That was a fun thing to do. The reason I bring this up is that this Wankel - thingy reminds me of my M-30, in the pleasure department...

 

OK-- Can use a little help.

I'm just trying to get a replacement TPS.

I'm in Harrisburg, PA, for brick and mortar, but online is good too.

Nobody online seems to have it. OEM or after-market.

1987 Turbo (I assume it's the Zenki--the car is unmodified)

Help! Thank-you!

 

Best person to call for rx7 parts is Ray Crow he's the parts manager at Malloy Mazda and usually cuts 7clubers a deal (888)533-3400.

Also with your idle issue sounds like you have a vacuum leak. Get out a can of carb cleaner and spray it around vacuum lines if your idle increases you have a leak in that general area.

 

Thank you Force. I actually ohms tested the TPS.

Swept all the way to 8k at WOT, after I had adjusted down to 1k at rest.

I'm pretty sure I should condemn the part >6k ohms @WOT, PLUS, it WAS (barely) holding an idle before I worked on it...It WAS at 2kohms at rest.

I did spray prior to messing with the TPS, found a few minor vac leaks, and corrected.

I'm wide open to suggestion, will wait a day before calling for the part. Again, thank-you!

 

I'm not sure the cost of a TPS for an FC but you could also look through the FS section and see if you can save yourself some $$$.

 

Everybody needs a toy and an RX7 is a fun one. Try to convince your wife it followed you home, and can I keep it PLEASE? It's nice to see I'm not the only retired jarhead with this affliction.

 

I may be from the soft Army, but its good to know more borthers in arms are out there with RX-7's, at Fort Bragg I only saw 2 my entire time there.

 

Hello Dave, very sorry to hear about your loss, sad way to come by a wonderful car. I loved my Turbo II. They are very particular animals though and there are a several tricks you need to learn in order to live happily with one.

Check out the FAQ section in the 2nd gen forum a plethora of useful information.

My first tip, if the car ever goes into a long cranking cycle after a short drive (turns over but won't fire up) Pull the fuse for the EFI system and spin it over with the starter for about 30 seconds. Put the fuse back in, turn it over and it should start, they like to flood out from time to time, atleast mine did.