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1989 RX-7 Turbo II not starting after being idle for 7 yearsl

Old 06-10-17, 12:39 AM
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1989 RX-7 Turbo II not starting after being idle for 7 yearsl

Greetings, my new friends. I must admit that I don't know much about Mazda's, besides the fact that I bought one back in they day - actually, a couple of them. I love RX-7's. Then, things happened and one of my car's was not started for a bunch of years.

I always missed the sound of the Turbo II kicking in. Can't ever forget that. Now, the time has been granted to me again, thank God, where I have the time and funds to get this bad boy going again. I'm talking about the Turbo II.

I am not a mechanic and, I don't have friends that are willing to help.Everybody tells me to get rid of the car. But, I refuse. So, the car has not been running for a few years. I read a post on here where another person had not stared their RX for like 13 years.

So, I'm hoping that we can all collaborate and see if you guys can help me get my car started. Tomorrow, I am getting a new fuel pump being put in. After reading some posts, that should be telling.

The car has been sitting for a very long time. It has not been abused. as a matter of fact, this 1989 Turbo II only has like 60k miles. So, I want to believe that it should only be a matter of fixing a few things.

Others say that the engine has to be rebuilt, but I question why? When I saw the other thread from SA Vert, it gave me hope. He got his car running, with the help of this community and, that made me feel great to see an old RX start!

So, I ask for your help, at this point.

Peace, friends

Miguel
Old 06-10-17, 01:03 AM
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You need to fully clean the fuel system..and that means accessing the top of the tank and checking the inside of the tank.(you can access the tank from the inside of the hatch,floor).Change the fuel sock while you are there..and maybe replace the pump if need be..The fuel filter needs to be changed (under the car,driver's side)..and the injectors most likely need to be cleaned.

and read this: Removing An RX-7 From Storage, Dealing With Improper Storage

A compression test of the engine would be wise too before you get too far into it.
Old 06-10-17, 01:37 AM
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Compression Test

What is the most effective way to compression test the engine? Also, if the levels of the compression test are not met, does that mean that the engine is cooked?

What I am looking for is the recommended sequence of steps from you guys. Right now, I'm just rolling dice. If there are steps that I should follow and, once one of them fails, then it may be time to move on.

The problem that I am having is that the car is not in bad shape. It just sat for way too long. And, being an enthusiast, I am having a difficult time trying to not even contemplate getting rid of it. I am not sure if there is one 1989 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II available in the USA.

But, as usual, it is at my Dad's house and he wants that thing gone from his house


Regards,

Dubb
Old 06-10-17, 07:27 AM
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Actually FIRST do a Compression check..(search that).You can use a regular piston engine comp checker.
It will tell you if you have to rebuild the engine as the internals can get all screwed up after sitting a long time.Apex seals can stick and not allow the engine to properly build compression.
A fast way to tell if the engine is decent is to take the plugs out and listen for 3 even Pulses of air that come out of the Spark plug holes..(each housing has a upper and lower spark plug..listen for Woosh,woosh,woosh..coming from that housing..then repeat for the other one).

And ya there are more 89 TII's in the USA ..
Old 06-11-17, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by dubbmixx
Greetings, my new friends. I must admit that I don't know much about Mazda's, besides the fact that I bought one back in they day - actually, a couple of them. I love RX-7's. Then, things happened and one of my car's was not started for a bunch of years.

I always missed the sound of the Turbo II kicking in. Can't ever forget that. Now, the time has been granted to me again, thank God, where I have the time and funds to get this bad boy going again. I'm talking about the Turbo II.

I am not a mechanic and, I don't have friends that are willing to help.Everybody tells me to get rid of the car. But, I refuse. So, the car has not been running for a few years. I read a post on here where another person had not stared their RX for like 13 years.

So, I'm hoping that we can all collaborate and see if you guys can help me get my car started. Tomorrow, I am getting a new fuel pump being put in. After reading some posts, that should be telling.

The car has been sitting for a very long time. It has not been abused. as a matter of fact, this 1989 Turbo II only has like 60k miles. So, I want to believe that it should only be a matter of fixing a few things.

Others say that the engine has to be rebuilt, but I question why? When I saw the other thread from SA Vert, it gave me hope. He got his car running, with the help of this community and, that made me feel great to see an old RX start!

So, I ask for your help, at this point.

Peace, friends

Miguel





one thing I would do is take the uim off and put a cap of oil down each port (or take plugs out and put oil in through there) before you start cranking it too much. the apex seals are likely to be dry after that long and cranking them while dry can also hurt them. especially if there was no oil added prior to storage.
Old 06-16-17, 11:37 PM
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Latest update fellas. The car has started! Changed the fuel pump, cleaned fuel filter, cleaned up the dirty assembly, some filters, etc. Got a coil or two. But, there is power missing. But, the car runs. So, it is kind of promising. But, could it still be an issue with apex seals and such? I want to rule out an engine rebuild so bad. Please, advise.
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Old 06-17-17, 12:59 AM
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search!!!..COMPRESSION CHECK man..That will tell you more about the inside of your engine.
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Old 06-30-17, 09:34 PM
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My mother's stayed idle from time to time, we cleaned the whole fuel system a few times, then drove it once a week to prevent it ever happening again.
Old 07-01-17, 12:06 AM
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there's a number of red flags here, it's VERY rare for a turbo car to just wind up sitting for no reason.

do the compression test, since you said the car lacks power, i think we will soon learn why it was parked in the first place. mileage is irrelevant with a turbo rotary anyways.
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Old 07-01-17, 12:40 AM
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My moms sat because she couldn't drive it and she worshipped the car and babied it so we couldn't ! Stubborn! Ha ha
It's all fixed now, often these classics sit and not driven like they should be .... drive the cars! Show them off!
Old 07-02-17, 11:12 PM
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i would replace every fluid, run some cleaners through them too. i do this for any swap that is jdm or might have sat to long which i guess applies to you since most engine swaps and stuff sits for the longest time. Maj tune up. make sure the rubber vacuum lines arent brittle if so change them. run some cleaners through maf and throttle body. basically spring cleaning. just putting my two cents in.


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