restarting a stored 85 GSL-SE
 

I have stored my 85 GSL-SE since 1998 - it has 45,000 actual miles. This is embarrassing, but I got sick, was in hospital a prolonged period, and just put it in the garage at that time; and now it turns out that I have not touched it for 12 years - it has sat in my MN garage. I would like to drive it again! How should I proceed? What are the concerns about starting this rotary engine after it has sat for 12 years, and not been touched?

Aaron's un-store guide will be helpful: http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm. The main things to do would be to replace every hose, and overhaul the fuel system.

Restart
 

I would drain all of the fluids (oil, coolant, gas) and replace before anything else. Secondly, I would lubricate the internals by pouring a cap full of oil through the spark plug holes (top) and turning the engine over by hand. I would probably do that 2 or 3 times to ensure that the rotor housings and apex seals had some lubrication before turning the engine over. Purchase a good battery and some carb cleaner (spray) since the car probably won't start up right away. Turn the engine over and see what happens.

New spark plugs and checking for spark is another troubleshooting tip if the car does not start up right away. When you do get it started, I would recommend not revving it up too high for the first 5 minutes or so.

Good luck.

I also know a local mechanic (Cottage Grove, MN) who helped me start my car after I rebuilt the engine. He is a great resource in case you need some assistance, for basically nothing. He charged me $20 to start my car after I'd spent 4+ hours trying to troubleshoot.

David

I had one that sat for a long time an i tried everything the tranny fluid in the plug holes an the only thing that worked was drift starting it

the best thing I found for rotary that has been sitting for some time is load the rotors with marvel mistery oil. This can be done by removing the trailing plugs, prop throttle pedal to wide open, remove air filter cover and pouring down the carb while turning over by hand until it runs out the plug holes., and yes it makes a mess, be prepaired.

Put the plugs back in. Let it soak a few days, pull all the plugs, turn over by hand to pump out the oil. lay oil absorb pads on frame by spark plug holes, make sure ignition is disabled, do not want sparks from the coils.

Turn engine over with starter starting with a few 2 second rotations, waiting 20 or 30 seconds in between rotations.next time spin it for about 15 seconds. when the compression coming out the plug holes is almost clear stop.

put new plugs in it, pour a cap full of engine oil down each primary in the carb, full choke and start the engine. let it run at 1500 rpm for 15 to 20 minutes. go drive it, when in 2 gear accelerate to around 3500 prm and full release the throttle until it comes down to around 1500, and repeat 3 of 4 times, this will help reseat the apex seals to the rotor housings. drive it normally for another 10 minutes or so. let it cool down fully.

all should be well now. make sure the fuel system is clean before you start the MM oil treatment. I have also used this to free up carbon stuck apex seals in the rotary engines.
hope this helps

Joe

Hi! Are still out there? I am in Plymouth and looking for that fellow you mentioned that lived in Cottage Grove! Looking to finally start my 85 GSL-SE.
Darryl

You might want to also check fuel tank they can get a bit rusty and nasty from beign parked that long . I would pour a cap full of atf instead of motor oil . It seams to aid in compression a little on inital start up . I have had rotarys that would have a minute long start and the moment i put atf in it would start up like a brand new engine.