85 GSL-SE not starting. Possible fuel problem
 

Hello Everyone,

I own a 1985 GSL-SE that I have had for about ten years now. The car has always run flawlessly until recently. The car has not been started for about a year now. The last time I tried starting it before it sat I couldn't get it to turn over. Thinking that it was flooded, I let it sit but then life took over and a few days turned into a month and that turned into a year. I recently got my interest back and tried getting her up and running with no luck. The engine is turning over with no problem but I can't get it to fire up. The first thing I did was check to see if I was getting any spark. The plugs are firing and the spark is strong so the next thing I checked was fuel. This is where I think that the problem may lie.

I noticed that I was not hearing the fuel pump spool up when the key was turned to the "on" position. Now, this may or may not be an issue because quite frankly I can't remember if I ever heard it before. To check I got underneath the car and put my head under the gas tank while I had my Son turn the key to the "on" position. I heard nothing, but I am thinking that I should have heard the fuel pump spool up. Am I correct that I should hear the thing running when the key is turned?

The try and confirm that the issue was fuel I pulled the main fuel hose where it enters the pressure regulator. When I did so there was gas in the line, so I initially thought that everything was fine, that the car was delivering gas. However to be sure I had my son crank the engine. When he did I observed no gas coming out of the fuel line. Obviously there should be a steady stream flowing from the pump. So, at this point I am pretty sure that my problem is fuel related. It is late this evening so I have called it a night, but I could use some advice on how to proceed next. I assume that the problem could be something as simple as a clogged fuel filter, but I first need to verify that the fuel pump is working properly. What should my next move be?

At this point I am leaning that the problem is fuel related and not something like a stuck apex seal. I have not done a compression check as of yet as I need to acquire a new gauge. I have thought of giving the engine an ATF treatment, but this won't do any good if the engine isn't getting any fuel. Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated.

On another subject, I live in the Polk City, FL area. My wife and I recently moved here. I came from North Georgia where I had a few friends with RX7s and we would work on the cars together. I haven't had any luck finding similar friends here in Florida. I have a pretty nice workshop with most any tool you could ever need. If you are in the area and are looking for another Rotorhead to hang out with, drop me a line.

Re: 85 GSL-SE not starting. Possible fuel problem
 

Update: This is where I could use a little help. I got the car started today. I got tired of messing around and decided to verify that it was the lack of fuel causing the problem. So, I pulled the main fuel line and squirted a bit of starting fluid into the pressure regulator tube. Turned the key and the engine fired up first try! So, that goes a long way in easing my fears that I had a serious engine problem.

So, I know for sure the problem is fuel delivery and I am pretty sure that the cause is a bad fuel pump. However I don't just want to throw in a new pump. Throwing parts at a problem isn't the way to fix it. It is very possible that there is no power getting to the fuel pump. The logical thing to do is to check the fuse and make sure that it is good. Here's my problem, where the hell is the fuse for the fuel pump? My car is missing the cover for the fuse block that sits below the drivers side dash so I pulled each fuse and verified that they were good. A quick check of two repair manuals doesn't leave me any closer to an answer. One shows a fuse for the fuel pump in the 1981 model, but doesn't show one for the 84/85 model. And I have been unable to locate a relay under the hood that goes with the fuel pump.

I have yet to see a car that doesn't have a fuse or relay for the fuel pump, so what am I missing here? Does anyone have a clue where the fuse or relay is for the fuel pump on a 84/85 GSL-SE?

If I can't find a fuse I guess my other option to check to see if it is an electrical problem is to run a test wire from the plus side of the battery to the plus side of the fuel pump and see if it kicks on. If it does, then there is either a break in a wire or a fuse/relay blown. If it doesn't, fuel pump is bad. I could use a little help here guys! Thanks

Re: 85 GSL-SE not starting. Possible fuel problem
 

check out the fuel pump filter fella, you can see it here in this thread.... hope this helps...

Mazda RX7 Forum - 1st Generation RX7's • View topic - GSL-SE Fuel Filter you may not be aware of...

Re: 85 GSL-SE not starting. Possible fuel problem
 

Thanks for the reply. The problem had already been corrected with the installation of a new fuel pump. It's possible that I didn't need one now that I'm aware of this inline filter. However, the car is up and running, and in the end that's all that matters. Thanks again for the reply.