help with 86 rx7

[Josh_is1]

ok i know this guy whos selling his 86 rx7 really cheap... but this is what he told me and was wondering if anyone knows whats wrong with it? and can you tell me how easy of a fix it would be?
Thanks
Josh


"The engine starts but stalls at idle. I took it to a diagnostic shop
and they read low compression and told me not to spend any money on it.
However, this is a rotary engine and I suspect it could be something
simple as a throttle sensor or airflow meter. The engine oil is clean,
it does not smoke when it runs, so I do not think that any seals are
damaged (but it's possible they are, I just don't know for sure). I
tried tightening the accelerator cable just to keep it running at idle,
but the adjusting screw came off. I also tinkered with the idle adjust
screw and think I shouldn't have before I did that it would push-start
and run well. Since that time I have gotten a new car and that's why I
am willing to practically give this one away. If you'd like any more
info just let me know."

[D3rELiC]

how cheap is it ?

[Josh_is1]

$100 lol


could it be the spark plugs?

[D3rELiC]

buy it anyway
no it could not be de sparkplugs

[Josh_is1]

lol im 16 and don't have a job or drivers license... but my birthday is soon... may be he would still have it. i know how to drive a stick but never actually have. but do you know whats wrong w/ it?

[D3rELiC]

if the guy says compression is down, then the engine is blown, you could sell pieces of the car and make some money, 100$ is dirt cheap.

[J-Rat]

Originally Posted by Josh_is1

"The engine starts but stalls at idle. I took it to a diagnostic shop
and they read low compression and told me not to spend any money on it.

I highly doubt that they took it to a "rotary specialist" They probably took it to some general automotive shop that had no clue what to do.. If they got a reading of 90-100, they would naturally call that bad (in the piston world, thats a pretty safe call), but for a rotary, thats still tolerable levels.

However, this is a rotary engine and I suspect it could be something
simple as a throttle sensor or airflow meter.

TPS? thats a pretty good guess, AFM? Doubt it. #1 reason for a non idling rotary is a VACUUM leak.

I tried tightening the accelerator cable just to keep it running at idle,
but the adjusting screw came off. I also tinkered with the idle adjust
screw and think I shouldn't have before I did that it would push-start
and run well.

Idle adjust screw? The 86 N/A had 3 of those (technically all called different names), if you include the throttle stops. And if you start tampering with these without following the steps in the FSM, you are just knocking EVERYTHING out of whack.

IT sounds like a good project car, if it can be had for 100 or so, but you need to find someone in your area that is rotary knowledgable, or that car will just suffer more damage.

Rat

[Josh_is1]

ok thanks man... i wouldn't be interested in buying it then... sence it wouldn't seem like an easy fix, cause too much could be wrong or whatever... here is the link in case anyone else in Michigan is interested http://detroit.craigslist.org/car/54594109.html

[D3rELiC]

buy it, you can sell the brakes and rear diff housing for 250-300$

[Josh_is1]

that would be nice but like i said i can't do it... i ain't got the money. if it was a fixable car it would be possible for me to get the money but not just for parts when it would cost to tow it somewhere etc. thanks for the help though.

[89tracerman]

first start mowing lawns and make some $$$ and buy it
second listen to J-Rat he knows what he is saying.

[Josh_is1]

i can't go mow lawns cause i have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and i can't even go to school because of the pain is so bad but im hoping to be better in the summer so i can get a job

[J-Rat]

Originally Posted by Josh_is1

if it was a fixable car it would be possible for me to get the money but not just for parts when it would cost to tow it somewhere etc. thanks for the help though.

I never said it wasnt fixable, I just said that it would take a some thats rotary inclined, to fix it. I figure I could have it diagnosed and fixed in a matter of hours, if not minuites (many other members here could probably do the same). I do freelance rotary work, and I would say I devote a good 60-70% of my time undoing other peoples stupid crap (like turning screws and knobs and shit they know nothing about).

Hmm.. There was a point here somewhere... OH! Point is, if you can get someone near you thats good with the FC, you may have yourself a diamond in the rough.. But if you buy it for $100 and take it to Joes Garage, you will REGRET it for a long time. I would put money on that.

Either way Derelic has a point.. Parts alone on that car are worth probably a grand or more, if you have the patience for stripping a car and then disposing of the remains (not always fun).

Ratsky

[Josh_is1]

well i don't even have a house w/ a garage, to do parting out. i live in a townhouse and you "can't work on cars" and i don't know anyone that knows about rotarys but im sure i could look in the phone book. but i ain't even got the money anymore. i could borrow money but i don't even have a place where i could work on the car.
thanks anyways guys

[MBTN]

Man it stinks you can't come up with $100 to buy that car. I recently counted my loose change and have around $60... Food for thought.