hi from the far Greece,
I am about to buy my second Rx-7 ( i ve got an 1981), an 1993 FD. Due to the enormous economical crisis the previous owner didn't used it for 2 years. When we went for a test drive the car doesn't fires up when hot. The seller says that this is due to immobility of the car and the problem (low compression?) it easy to be solved by driving the car with plenty premix oil.

How do we deal with this situation? An immobilized Rx-7 needs an engine rebuilt?
Thank u in advance
Haris

 

If it has problems starting while it's hot, that usually means low compression and will need to be rebuilt.

I'd get it compression tested and use that as negotiation. Since at that point, you will know whether or not the car will need a rebuild.

Another thing though, is that it could have problems hot starting due to a bad coolant seal. The coolant could be leaking into the combustion chamber but it would be pouring white smoke out of it and it would be hard not to notice.

 

Thank u tt7hvn for the reply. The engine is with 45000km and seller says due to immobility and not to wear the compression could be improved just driving it with more premix oil. Is this possible? Is there a real problem if an fd stays for some time? How long without problem?

 

It is possible that there could be a stuck side seal, which is not uncommon for an FD that has been sitting for a long time. Premix MAY help but in my opinion, it is a gamble. Tell the seller to prove it to you. If he's SURE that premix will help, tell him to do it, then get it compression tested.

Only trust numbers on a paper, never a sellers word.

There are very few people I would trust to buy an FD from.

 

Thank you tt7hvn

 

Usually with a coolant seal, cold start idle will be lumpy and rough, but clear up quickly.
More likely just low compression. I second everything tt7hvn said. DO NOT assume it will get better. Rather you should buy it with the assumption it needs to be rebuilt and pay accordingly.

 

Thank u sgtblue. When you mention rough cold idle, is this due to low compression?
When u say rebuilt the engine this means engine only or the damage affects turbos or other periphericals?
Sorry for me English
Haris

 

The rough cold idle that clears up quickly would be due to a coolant seal failure. With a failure, some coolant leaks into the combustion chamber while the car sits. When you start it up cold, the idle is lumpy until the coolant is purged or burned off. Some steam out the exhaust, along with a somewhat sweet smell is usually associated with it.
Low compression is usually seen during hot starts as a reluctance or failure of the car to start...and prone to flooding.

 

Thank you pretty much!!

 

Hi I just bought a fd engine about a month ago I bought it thinking the apex seal was possibly bad but when I took it apart it was a stuck corner seal so it is possible that it is a stuck seal but you need to do a compression check

 

Thank you all. Of you. a last question to place, if there is a coolant seal leak, is this a major in terms of cost issue? do i have to open end change everything like doing a rebuilt?

Thank you
Haris

 

Yes. It will require complete disassembly of the engine. So typically all the wear items...hard seals, hard seal springs, oil control rings and seals are inspected and replaced if called for.

 

Thank all of you!

 

LOL!..(sorry)

These guys just told you that you may have to spend 3 thousand to get the engine rebuilt..
and you say "thanks".

I like your "spunk"..heh...Good attitude..
keep your chin up!..
The best thing about these cars is the ride,so even though you may have to spend,spend spend..Once you get in that car and go down the road all that bad stuff will go away...
Ask me!..the guy with ten thousand dollars sunk in an FC!.

 

Owning an 1982 rx-7 i know what you mean. There is a sporting regularity event with cars more than 30 years old, called 24h Greece. It is an endurance rally for both car and crew... 1000 km in 24h with 4 h in total brake!! My Rx finished the last 2 years in 9th and 10th overall and 2nd to the big class ie competing 911 944, alfa gt2000, escort2000 etc. I love this car!!! What looks definite is that fd is damn more expensive to maintain. All the information i received will make my mind to place a fair offer to the seller, hope at the end of the day we ll shake hands..