whats up

sidzero0 · 11-09-2008, 07:10 PM

ran into a member at import face off in montgomery alabama today and figured i would come and check it out and give some details

i own a 1988 RX-7 that does not run, i beleive the time is off or low compression. its a nonturbo [grr] put new spark plugs and fuel pump so its getting fire and gas and it turns over but no acual starting. white smoke is coming out the tail pipes so its burning something [old gas, water in the tank etc.] so im stumped
if anyone in prattville alabama [or near by] is willing to look or work on it i would be gratefully happy. i would love to learn more about these engines. im acually going to school on engines, specificly rotary engines
just PM me if u wanna hear more or wanna help me out!!
thanks!!!!

blwnrtr93 · 11-10-2008, 02:15 AM

Welcome to the site. Check out the 2nd gen section. Many of the members here specialize in one model or another. Nice to have another AL member here. Check out the "social groups" and join us on MRCCAL.

11-10-2008, 05:56 AM

Welcome aboard.. As for your problem, if you have thick white smoke coming out of the tailpipe while u are cranking it is possible you have a coolant seal gone, or extremely flooded..

Hop on the 2nd gen forum and lets see if we cant help u diagnose the problem.

***ZGN*** · 11-10-2008, 08:58 AM

Nice meeting you at the event, Glad you could make it here. Need to get a compression check then then go from there! You can do this with a piston engine tester if a rotary tester is not available.

Have a fully charged battery!
1. Remove lower sparkplug and wire from front rotor.
2. Remove EGI fuse from underhood fusebox to prevent fuel and spark while testing.
3. Have an assistant crank the car over for you, while you listen under the hood at the compression pulses coming from this plug hole. Recommended to put your hand/finger right in front of the hole to feel the pulses of air.
4. There should be one strong pulse/whoosh of air per full rotation of the crank pulley. Use the timing marks on it as a reference. There should be 3 even pulses in succession, without skips or gallops.
5. If one or more pulses are weaker or non existant, this usually indicates at least one blown apex seal and severe internal damage. A full rebuild will be required, and no further troubleshooting will help.
6. If this chamber passes the compression test, replace this plug and repeat for the rear.
7. With both lower plugs out at one time, you can listen/feel for compression on both rotors at once. This should be a rhythmic ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch sound, like an old steam engine train, alternating front to back, once per rotor per rotation. Any skips or galloping indicate loss of compression.

Useing 2 people is allway helpfull.
To use the compression meter: remove only the lower plugs, remove egi fuse, keep the pedal to the floor and insert your tester into on of the leading holes. Hold the valve of the tester completly open. You should see 3 in succession, even bounces in the 30-35psi range.

Good Luck!

sidzero0 · 11-10-2008, 04:38 PM

well if i need to rebuild my engine then im gonna have to sell it, as much as i love RX-7's i have no experiance in rebuilding any type of engine but i can try that though, thanks a lot!
ill check the 2nd gen section

***ZGN*** · 11-10-2008, 09:14 PM

Don't sell it just get one of the vendors to build you up a nice motor. Kevin Landers Rotary Resurrection would probably be the least expensive route.

11-09-2008, 07:10 PM	#1
sidzero0 The Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	whats up ran into a member at import face off in montgomery alabama today and figured i would come and check it out and give some details i own a 1988 RX-7 that does not run, i beleive the time is off or low compression. its a nonturbo [grr] put new spark plugs and fuel pump so its getting fire and gas and it turns over but no acual starting. white smoke is coming out the tail pipes so its burning something [old gas, water in the tank etc.] so im stumped if anyone in prattville alabama [or near by] is willing to look or work on it i would be gratefully happy. i would love to learn more about these engines. im acually going to school on engines, specificly rotary engines just PM me if u wanna hear more or wanna help me out!! thanks!!!!

11-10-2008, 02:15 AM	#2
blwnrtr93 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AL Posts: 379 Rep Power: 18	Welcome to the site. Check out the 2nd gen section. Many of the members here specialize in one model or another. Nice to have another AL member here. Check out the "social groups" and join us on MRCCAL. __________________ 1993 BB RX-7 2005 Black Mazda 6i 1991 Primer Celica GT 1968 Camo Chevy P/U Garfinkle's Airpump Idler Pulley: Keep the stock contact patch on your water pump w/o running Airpump!

11-10-2008, 08:58 AM	#4
*ZGN* Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,264 Rep Power: 10	Nice meeting you at the event, Glad you could make it here. Need to get a compression check then then go from there! You can do this with a piston engine tester if a rotary tester is not available. Have a fully charged battery! 1. Remove lower sparkplug and wire from front rotor. 2. Remove EGI fuse from underhood fusebox to prevent fuel and spark while testing. 3. Have an assistant crank the car over for you, while you listen under the hood at the compression pulses coming from this plug hole. Recommended to put your hand/finger right in front of the hole to feel the pulses of air. 4. There should be one strong pulse/whoosh of air per full rotation of the crank pulley. Use the timing marks on it as a reference. There should be 3 even pulses in succession, without skips or gallops. 5. If one or more pulses are weaker or non existant, this usually indicates at least one blown apex seal and severe internal damage. A full rebuild will be required, and no further troubleshooting will help. 6. If this chamber passes the compression test, replace this plug and repeat for the rear. 7. With both lower plugs out at one time, you can listen/feel for compression on both rotors at once. This should be a rhythmic ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch sound, like an old steam engine train, alternating front to back, once per rotor per rotation. Any skips or galloping indicate loss of compression. Useing 2 people is allway helpfull. To use the compression meter: remove only the lower plugs, remove egi fuse, keep the pedal to the floor and insert your tester into on of the leading holes. Hold the valve of the tester completly open. You should see 3 in succession, even bounces in the 30-35psi range. Good Luck! Last edited by ZGN; 11-10-2008 at 09:28 AM.

11-10-2008, 05:56 AM	#3
SpooledupRacing Guest Posts: n/a	Welcome aboard.. As for your problem, if you have thick white smoke coming out of the tailpipe while u are cranking it is possible you have a coolant seal gone, or extremely flooded.. Hop on the 2nd gen forum and lets see if we cant help u diagnose the problem.

11-10-2008, 04:38 PM	#5
sidzero0 The Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	well if i need to rebuild my engine then im gonna have to sell it, as much as i love RX-7's i have no experiance in rebuilding any type of engine but i can try that though, thanks a lot! ill check the 2nd gen section

11-10-2008, 09:14 PM	#6
*ZGN* Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,264 Rep Power: 10	Don't sell it just get one of the vendors to build you up a nice motor. Kevin Landers Rotary Resurrection would probably be the least expensive route.