1987 Mazda RX-7 flooding problem

subject:	Flooding and Poor Idle at warm up 86-87 RXs
author:	Bernie
date:	September 22, 2009 - 10:11am

Hope someone gains from my long story:
My 87 TII started the flooding problem about 92. Went to Mazda shop which is when I found that there was no reputable RX Mechanics in town at that time.(Thier cure was disconnecting the sub-zero unit). One cold 5:00AM(10F.)morning in 95 it wouldn't start period (or there after). It was the 1st start attempt of the day, and ran fine the night before.
Internet was just evolving so there was no high speed cable internet, or no sites like this one(that I knew of). So! I tried everything on my own(with my factory manuals) to find out what was going on.No luck. My RX sat in my garage for 5 years with me TSing it off and on. During that time High speed internet and sites like this evolved where I found out the problem (i.e RX7 CLUB.COM) The engine,for whatever reason,was flooded,(not knowing this, I of course made it worse during my later TSing). As I found out; RX being a Rotary,under flood conditions the fuel won't clear as with a piston engine. Anyway! The cure was pulling the plugs, cranking the engine for 10+ second, hence, blowing the fuel out of my flooded rotary engine plug holes. Reinstalled my plugs! Bingo! Changed the fuel Contaminated oil,and we(We, as in; Me and my RX) were on the road again. I wrote it off as; saving 5 years of; wear/tear, not putting 60,000+- added miles on the RX, and it's new (in 95) BFG Blizzack tires(Which I still have on the car-Great RX (or any car) snow and Ice tires-I couldn't go up a 2% grade with 1/2" of snow before I put these on. Stops in about 20' on ICE-on a downgrade. I'm not recommending them-just saying "They work for me!".
As for the Starting problem! I found,during one of it's episodes, that hitting the starter with quick hits versus cranking it, it will eventually start by it's lone-some. (I.e. About 4-6(+-) hits, 1-1.? seconds long; bieng patient, DID NOT TOUCH the gas pedal during this time, waited until it almost starts, THEN catch it using the gas pedal before it dies on the next hit). It works every time for me. I've excepted it as a temporary sress relief. I Still have the problem and I know what causes it. Finding a permanent cure next challenge. Along with the starting, I now have the poor Idleing after warm-up problem, which I'm working ATT. Need to run the resistance checks on the TPS. If someone knows where to get a good TPS reasonable-let me know-I might need it! "End of story"(For now){:

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subject:	Fuel flow
author:	Toxindude
date:	April 27, 2007 - 2:19pm

I own an 86 non-turbo I was having flooding problems real bad all I could do was the fuse pull thing to get it to start one time I had to be towed around the block to get it to jump . I replaced the fuel filter , Pressure Regulator , and I just replaced the injectors they are bigger ones though 880cc now . I am having a little trouble I also have an after market K&N air system kit on it . My problem now is it seems I have lost some power when I get in the 4 to 5 grand range I start boggin like not enough fuel so im lookin at a better fule pump 225 LPH and a bigger Fuel Pressure regulator . I just wanna know if anyone thinks that would help out with that problem or knows what else it could be and can this be a computer problem to ?
My e-mail is Toxindude@yahoo.com please let me know thnx

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subject:	RX7 flooding
author:	rocky99507
date:	February 21, 2007 - 11:18am

rocky99507: I have 2 red '87 RX7s. My wife hates both of 'em and all the extra parts I have. With the flooding problems, I always do 3 preliminary steps: 1) make sure that the floor mat is pushed back so that the clutch pedal can be pulled depressed, 2)have recent clean spark plugs installed, and 3)have recent spark plug wires. Now comes the tricky part and is 2 parts: 1) replace the thermo/thermal sensor on the lower corner of the radiator on the driver's side. Note, on my model, it is a two prong round plugs - some have different plugs. When buying this sensor, buy a wrench from the parts store and this will save some grief later on. 2) Whenever my car floods, an experienced mechanic recommends that you remove the air-cleaner filter assembly, which is held on by 3 bolts (I never reinstall these...just in case), disconnect the yellow plug underneath the air cleaner. The car will start right up and the exhaust smoke is a thicker black. The car will stop after a couple of seconds. You can now re-plug the yellow connector plug underneath the air cleaner, put the air cleaner back in place, lower the hood & your car will suddenly start when you start your car!!! Most "experienced" car mechanics don't know this. Try it & it works. The theory behind the thermo/thermal sensor on the radiator is that it sends a signal to the car's computer & the computer knows if the car is cold or hot and adjusts the fuel that way. One problem that I've had over the years, is that this sensor is intermittent, meaning that it works some of the times. Also by unplugging the yellow connector plug underneath the air cleaner, it bypasses a signal to the computer, thereby allowing you to start the car by burning the fuel that caused the over-flooding. This should help. Rock on!!! Rev on!!!

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subject:	Same damn problem
author:	GrayRX7
date:	October 7, 2006 - 11:10am

I am also having the same problem. When its cold it starts right up but evertime time I try to start it when its hot it will flood. Then I have to unplug the same switch and take out the top plugs and crank the hell out of it. One of my buddies fixed some other things on it and he said to try all the injectors to see if they were messing up. I havent got around to it yet, but if it is compression, whats that mean? And how do I fix that?

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subject:	...
author:	87fc3s
date:	June 4, 2006 - 3:03pm

...edited

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subject:	Few things
author:	Dan Mazzella
date:	January 11, 2006 - 2:16pm

My 86 did this when I had a weak starter and leaking injectors... it just wouldn't crank over fast enough to catch. I replaced the starter, and had the injectors rebuilt, and she started with no problem after that.

The other thing it could be, sorry to say, is low compression. Have your compression tested (buy a $20 pepboy's gauge, holding down the valve and watching the pulses go by while a friend cranks) don't forget to pull the spark plug relay and fuel pump relay while you crank. Compare front to back rotor readings.

Last thing to try is the old ATF trick. Get about a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of ATF into each rotor chamber, then crank it over. Do it at night so your neighbors won't call the fire department on you... it will smoke like crazy.

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subject:	Car maybe flooded
author:	frongo78
date:	January 22, 2007 - 2:40pm

I tried to start my car in the cold and it started and then died. It is an 86 RX7. It now sounds like it is turning over but not firing at all. Does this mean that it is flooded? Please help.

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subject:	Same Problem.. in my 88
author:	tandolla
date:	January 11, 2006 - 12:30pm

i just picked up an 88 for 500$ do replace my 87 which i am still driving but got in accident and the car was totaled . ( suposidly) but it does the same thing. it will start once... then af ter i shut it off and then try to start it again i have to do the same process you do.. so i am up for tryin to find answers to.. and i cant figure anything out as well..

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subject:	Same problem (flooding) in my 87 Turbo II
author:	turbofan
date:	May 8, 2006 - 8:36pm

My RX-7 1987 Turbo II, in ocations start flooding and not run.
I need take of the park plug and start the motor for clean all exces of gasoline in the interior. Put the park plug again and start the motor very good.
I dont know what is the problen because the compretion is good and the starter is new.
What is the posible problem?
What is the fuel pump fuse?
Help me whit that please.

Thanks

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subject:	Sounds like low compression o
author:	FC Dreamer
date:	May 31, 2006 - 11:30pm

Sounds like low compression on all of yalls problems. My car did that when my coolant seal was going. It would flood alot, pretty much everytime id turn the car off it would "flood". your best bet is to get a compression test and see what your numbers are at you want 90+.

Are yall burning anything when you start? like coolant or exsessive amounts of oil.

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subject:	somone help
author:	87fc3s
date:	June 4, 2006 - 3:04pm

I've been having the same problem but lately it starts and revs to about 2.5 grand then dies. Any ideas? I'm thikning its old gas but i put new gas in there and its still dies. Someone help...

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subject:	Hey
author:	Toxindude
date:	May 10, 2007 - 5:21pm

One question does it flood out after it does that if so . I was having that problem for along time . I replaced my Fuel pressure regulator , Fuel Filter but it didnt seem to help . Then I replace my fuel injectors and fuel pump and it starts right up . I havent had a problem since let me know

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