Hi RX-7 Fams,

Recently purchased my 84 SE and it ran flawlessly. 2 weeks of driving and I hear a few burbles and the engine cuts out in mid drive. Didn't just STOP, but started losing power, ran rough and then wouldn't stay on. After that it would crank but wouldn't turn over.

My first assumption was fuel because all plugs were firing with good spark when tested with a spark tester. I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter and still no start. I cleaned up the plugs and did a complete un-flood (plugs removed), and re-established compression with a bit of ATF. The car started! Ran perfect but had white smoke as the ATF burned off. Once the ATF smoke cleared, the car began running rough again. Really lumpy.

Seems like the ATF was temporarily solving a compression loss issue. Is this possible? Could the ATF have fouled out a plug? I did notice that It is about a quart low on oil and I know rotaries are highly sensitive to oil levels. I plan on replacing the plugs and topping off the oil and giving it another shot. Any suggestions or insights anyone? Thanks.

-Jan

 

try doing a compression check to rule out the inside of things.

 

Thanks misterstyx69,

Turned out that the ATF was doing what my oil was supposed to be doing, keeping compression. I guess this is an indicator that my engine is really worn and due for a rebuild. Once I topped it off with oil (Synthetic 20w50) it ran rough for a bit and then smoothed out once the oil circulated. Car runs great now!

What I learned:
1. Don't let a high mileage rotary run even ONE QUART low on oil.
2. How to avoid flooding the 13b RE-EGI.
3. How to un-flood the engine if it becomes flooded.

Driving my baby again! Yay!!

 

Hey mate definitely dropped compression and the ATF was bumping this up temporarily. Could be side seal, corner or apex seal. Cold also be a melted apex spring or the apex seal slot on the rotor could be full of carbon and the seal is getting stuck. Time to pull her down.