Jim from TN. 1983 RX-7 GS
 

Hi,
My original post stated 1980 RX-7. I meant 1983 RX-7 GS. Here's my problem. Car starts 1st time, but it lopes at idle. After its warmed up and I go for a drive. When I get back home I let it idle a little but the idle is at about 2000 RPM. When I turn it off I smell gas when I pop the hood. After a few minutes it will fill the carb up with gas even with engine off. At that point its flooded and usually will not start until the next day. I just bought this car and verified by the title am the 2nd owner. It sat in a carport for a long time which is not good for these car. They are made for driving. I found a place in Jacksonville, FL that does rebuilds on nikki carbs and then installs and tests them out on their vehicle. That may be my route. BUT, I have found some things not connected to this carb and wonder if I've got a vacuum leak or something else.

One more thing; On the drivers side fender inside the motor well there is a small rectangular metal plate with a (looks like a throttle cable) cable coming out and goes to carb. It was just laying under the carb and not hooked to anything. Usually, correcting and repair is not the problem. Its finding the problem that makes it hard. Does anyone have any idea on what my first step should be? I think I need to find a 1st Gen and look at the carb hookup.

Also this is my 8th RX-7. I've had 4 Gen 1's and 4 Gen 2's. You'd think I would know something about them by now, but all I know is that I to drive them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I', in process of pulling my carb off now.

Thanks, Jim

Couldn't find the 83 Factory Service Manual, but you might want to check the 1st Gen. Stickys/FAQs.
I DID find these:
http://www.wright-here.net/files/man...01979-1985.pdf
1980 Mazda RX-7 Factory Service Manual
I would think your loping idle is likely a vacuum leak from one or more of those unhooked "things" you mentioned. And it's been years since I've messed with the inside of a carb, but it sounds like a stuck float. On an old antique car of mine they would stick and flood like you've described. SOMETIMES removing it and simply soaking it in carb cleaner helps, but a rebuild is probably appropriate.

Not certain on the 1st Gens....but could that cable could just be from (former) cruise control?

Read thru the 1st gen archive from oldest to newest. Sterling has a very good rebuild tutorial in there somewhere. Glazedham's also got some good Nikki info.
Patience is the most important tool in your kit when it comes to your first rebuild. After that it's pretty easy.