RX7 recently out of storage idles a little rough
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 18
Hello! I just recently purchased a '93 RX-7 touring (with R1 spoiler added) with only 47k miles for $17.5k. It's in really good shape on the outside. Its black paint is nearly flawless.
I have had a couple of mechanics look at it, and they say that it is A-OK (needs only a few minor fixes - thermostat, oil metering pump, the usual). However, it seems to idle kinda rough, especially during a morning cold start, or when it gets down close to 750 rpm. When it's idling at around 900-1200 rpm with the AC and/or lights on (after warmup), it seems smooth.
It also often lets out one really mild, muffled "poof" from the exhaust when I shut it off.
One mechanic who recently tuned it up said it probably just needed to be driven on the freeway for a bit before it smoothed itself out, since it was in storage on and off for several months. He also happened to find some water in the fuel filter (common for a car that's been sitting).
So, per his advice, I've been adding ISO-Heet gas dryer to the tank during recent fillups to get the water out....
Still, I've put about 1500 miles on the car now, and it hasn't really improved.
Are these cars known to idle rough normally? What should I expect and/or what can I do?
Thanks in advance for any info!
I have had a couple of mechanics look at it, and they say that it is A-OK (needs only a few minor fixes - thermostat, oil metering pump, the usual). However, it seems to idle kinda rough, especially during a morning cold start, or when it gets down close to 750 rpm. When it's idling at around 900-1200 rpm with the AC and/or lights on (after warmup), it seems smooth.
It also often lets out one really mild, muffled "poof" from the exhaust when I shut it off.
One mechanic who recently tuned it up said it probably just needed to be driven on the freeway for a bit before it smoothed itself out, since it was in storage on and off for several months. He also happened to find some water in the fuel filter (common for a car that's been sitting).
So, per his advice, I've been adding ISO-Heet gas dryer to the tank during recent fillups to get the water out....
Still, I've put about 1500 miles on the car now, and it hasn't really improved.
Are these cars known to idle rough normally? What should I expect and/or what can I do?
Thanks in advance for any info!
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 17,839
From: NJ
i'm gonna say a solenoid or check valve has gone bad. best bet is to take it to rotary specialist. luckily in cali you have a ton!
http://www.mazdatrix.com
http://www.rx7fashion.com
a few more if need be
http://www.mazdatrix.com
http://www.rx7fashion.com
a few more if need be
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,316
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by vosko' date='Jul 25 2002, 01:22 AM
i'm gonna say a solenoid or check valve has gone bad. best bet is to take it to rotary specialist. luckily in cali you have a ton!
http://www.mazdatrix.com
http://www.rx7fashion.com
a few more if need be
http://www.mazdatrix.com
http://www.rx7fashion.com
a few more if need be
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 18
It drive just fine. It's got the typical 3k RPM hesitation occasionally, but it feels pretty healthy (everyone who's driven it says so).
As far as shops, I've been talking to the guys at Mazda Masters in Sunnyvala, CA a lot.
As far as shops, I've been talking to the guys at Mazda Masters in Sunnyvala, CA a lot.