85GSL Test Drive Questions

hecmanortiz · 03-28-2010, 08:57 AM

Hey all! I test drove an 85GSL yesterday and have a few questions.
The car has been sitting for about 2 months for sale. The owner had had the carb rebuilt but other than that it looks stock. It has 118K miles, 5 speed. When he gave me the key for it(he was working and couldn't come out and talk) he said that it hadn't been started in a week.

1. It started up with full choke and a couple of taps of the gas pedal. While the choke was on there was a slight stumble or miss. it wasn't regular in timing just like a missed spark then back to steady firing.

2. With the choke off it would come down to just above 1K RPM then down till it stalled. I had to keep tapping the gas pedal or use the choke to keep it from stalling. Eventually after dying at a light I got it back to the parking lot where it only stalled once then kept running after that. Even though it was running the idle was high and it kept bouncing between 1200 and 750. I don't know if the idle speed was set high because it couldn't keep idle at 750 or if the car would raise the idle to compensate for a condition that would cause it do tip below 750.

3. I ran it through the full RPM range in 1st and 2nd gears only to have it shut off completely. After letting it sit for about 20 seconds I was able to start it up again. Sounds like a fuel starvation problem.

Other than these items, idling which to me is a troubling red flag the drivetrain seems decent considering how beat up the body is. I found a couple of inches of water in the spare tire well but that can easily be fixed, the wipers don't work and the muffler has a leak.

Thanks for any/all responses.
Hector

patmac6075 · 03-29-2010, 06:46 PM

None of the problems sound insurmountable...
Perhaps a vac leak? maybe a carb rebuild? Could also need a new fuel filter and or fuel pump?
I'd do a compression check (not the same as on a piston engine)....

I'd be more worried about the "beat up" body...does that mean rust?

I guess it all comes down to, how much is it worth to you? If you're paying top dollar, then that other stuff is a big issue. On the other hand, if it's cheap (defined by you)....then what the hell....go for it.

b&brx8 · 03-29-2010, 08:51 PM

Check the hose that runs from the intake manifold (near the firewall on the passenger side) to the back of the Air control valve. It's about 1/2 inch in diameter and 3 to 4 inches long with 2 90 degree bends. It gets hot and usually splits at the 90 degree bend into the air control valve (just above the exhaust). Causes the engine to lean out and die or run really rough. There is also a smaller vacuum line that runs from the ACV to a TEE and to the carb on the passenger side. I had 4 12a Rx-7s, and those damn hoses will get you every time. Just make sure that that you reconnect or replace the hoses with new ones (MAZDATRIX) and make sure the the idle mixture blind cap (on the driver side of the carb down low just to the left of the idle speed adj. screw as you're looking at it) hasn't been popped off and messed with to compensate for the lean mixture. If it has, you have several adjustments to make. Vacuum leaks suck ass (pardon the pun), and they were the bane of my 12a existence. Hope it helps.

hecmanortiz · 03-30-2010, 10:31 AM

The owner said that when he bought it it wasn't running and he had the carb rebuilt. I'm not sure if he did it or had it done. There was a Haynes manual, a catalog and a Nikki carb article printout in the storage compartment. I was leaning towards either a vacuum leak or crossed hoses somewhere in the rats nest.

As far as the body, the driver's door and fender are bent from where the two have made contact in the past. Some rust but as far as I can tell nothing structural. Interior is fine except for the water leak in the hatch area which I think is either a tail light seal or the hatch seal and plugged up drain holes.

We'll probably make him an offer on it this weekend.

Thanks for the responses.

hecmanortiz · 04-02-2010, 09:41 AM

One thing I just remembered. The owner said that it smokes a bit on startup then stops smoking. I did note that but wasn't sure if it was related to the other stuff going on or a problem with coolant seeping into the combustion chamber while sitting there.

hecmanortiz · 04-03-2010, 07:54 PM

Well I called today to make an offer on the car and it was sold. Incredible, car sat for several months with a for sale sign on a busy street, OH Rt. 4 in Fairfield, OH and one week after we drive it it sells. Oh well guess it wasn't meant to be.
Thanks for the replies.

03-28-2010, 08:57 AM	#1
hecmanortiz Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	85GSL Test Drive Questions Hey all! I test drove an 85GSL yesterday and have a few questions. The car has been sitting for about 2 months for sale. The owner had had the carb rebuilt but other than that it looks stock. It has 118K miles, 5 speed. When he gave me the key for it(he was working and couldn't come out and talk) he said that it hadn't been started in a week. 1. It started up with full choke and a couple of taps of the gas pedal. While the choke was on there was a slight stumble or miss. it wasn't regular in timing just like a missed spark then back to steady firing. 2. With the choke off it would come down to just above 1K RPM then down till it stalled. I had to keep tapping the gas pedal or use the choke to keep it from stalling. Eventually after dying at a light I got it back to the parking lot where it only stalled once then kept running after that. Even though it was running the idle was high and it kept bouncing between 1200 and 750. I don't know if the idle speed was set high because it couldn't keep idle at 750 or if the car would raise the idle to compensate for a condition that would cause it do tip below 750. 3. I ran it through the full RPM range in 1st and 2nd gears only to have it shut off completely. After letting it sit for about 20 seconds I was able to start it up again. Sounds like a fuel starvation problem. Other than these items, idling which to me is a troubling red flag the drivetrain seems decent considering how beat up the body is. I found a couple of inches of water in the spare tire well but that can easily be fixed, the wipers don't work and the muffler has a leak. Thanks for any/all responses. Hector

03-29-2010, 06:46 PM	#2
patmac6075 The Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 iTrader: (0) Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	None of the problems sound insurmountable... Perhaps a vac leak? maybe a carb rebuild? Could also need a new fuel filter and or fuel pump? I'd do a compression check (not the same as on a piston engine).... I'd be more worried about the "beat up" body...does that mean rust? I guess it all comes down to, how much is it worth to you? If you're paying top dollar, then that other stuff is a big issue. On the other hand, if it's cheap (defined by you)....then what the hell....go for it.

03-29-2010, 08:51 PM	#3
b&brx8 The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: columbus, ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 26 Rep Power: 0	Check the hose that runs from the intake manifold (near the firewall on the passenger side) to the back of the Air control valve. It's about 1/2 inch in diameter and 3 to 4 inches long with 2 90 degree bends. It gets hot and usually splits at the 90 degree bend into the air control valve (just above the exhaust). Causes the engine to lean out and die or run really rough. There is also a smaller vacuum line that runs from the ACV to a TEE and to the carb on the passenger side. I had 4 12a Rx-7s, and those damn hoses will get you every time. Just make sure that that you reconnect or replace the hoses with new ones (MAZDATRIX) and make sure the the idle mixture blind cap (on the driver side of the carb down low just to the left of the idle speed adj. screw as you're looking at it) hasn't been popped off and messed with to compensate for the lean mixture. If it has, you have several adjustments to make. Vacuum leaks suck ass (pardon the pun), and they were the bane of my 12a existence. Hope it helps.

03-30-2010, 10:31 AM	#4
hecmanortiz Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	The owner said that when he bought it it wasn't running and he had the carb rebuilt. I'm not sure if he did it or had it done. There was a Haynes manual, a catalog and a Nikki carb article printout in the storage compartment. I was leaning towards either a vacuum leak or crossed hoses somewhere in the rats nest. As far as the body, the driver's door and fender are bent from where the two have made contact in the past. Some rust but as far as I can tell nothing structural. Interior is fine except for the water leak in the hatch area which I think is either a tail light seal or the hatch seal and plugged up drain holes. We'll probably make him an offer on it this weekend. Thanks for the responses.

04-02-2010, 09:41 AM	#5
hecmanortiz Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	One thing I just remembered. The owner said that it smokes a bit on startup then stops smoking. I did note that but wasn't sure if it was related to the other stuff going on or a problem with coolant seeping into the combustion chamber while sitting there.

04-03-2010, 07:54 PM	#6
hecmanortiz Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	Well I called today to make an offer on the car and it was sold. Incredible, car sat for several months with a for sale sign on a busy street, OH Rt. 4 in Fairfield, OH and one week after we drive it it sells. Oh well guess it wasn't meant to be. Thanks for the replies.