Hi, i just put an engine in and started refurbishing a 90 gxl that i bought and im new to rotarys. I can drive mine perfectly fine in 1st and 2nd as hard and fast as i want but when i go into third and 4th at about 80mph and give it more than 80% throttle it starts making this horrible knocking noise and it looses almost all of its power. Check engine light also flashes if i let it get to bad, but if i let off the throttle it will go away and slowly accelerate. Not quite sure what it could be that would make it do it at speed and not at rpm. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

While doing some PD thinking i think i may have narrowed it down. Its not internal engine or trans because it doesnt do it at all rpms (engine), or at all times in said gear (trans.). i think it may be something external hitting something, core support, engine mount, ect. and the loss of power can be coming from the knock sensor seeing that and retarding the timing so bad that it causes that, same for check engine light. Please stop me if i am wrong haha

 

There is no knock sensor on the NA.

Pull the codes as per the instructions in the FAQ.

Sounds TPS related to me.

Check the timing, because you never know if someone stabbed the CAS wrong.

 

Fuel delivery or ignition issue causing spark knock? Does it sound like a bunch of marbles rattling around in a tin coffee can?

 

ok cool, ill check it when i have time today, but the check engine light doesnt stay on it just flashes and goes away

 

no its not spark knock, it sounds kind of like a rod knock haha

 

Hey, I was really busy at work so i didnt get to mess with the rx till about 10. Long story short it was timing, it was off a bit and i got it set right. Drives better than before now, feels like it picked up about 60hp and it actually hit mach .21 haha. thank you guys so much for the ideas and help, hopfully the car will run for a long time or at least untill i put a turbo 2 in it.

 

You may want to compression test the engine to see where it stands. If it's still running strong, idles fine, and doesn't struggle to start, it's probably ok. But these engines are very sensitive to detonation.

 

Well it cranks up pretty fast and it's running smooth and strong. There is a little constant vibration at 800rpm but i blame that on the stiff engine mounts.

 

needed this