1985 Rx7 GSL-SE
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lil_red_wagon
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- lil white p5
keep the oil topped off, let it warm up before you drive it, don't be afraid to take it into the 5k rpm range every now and then, and keep the oil topped off. i say that twice because the motor intentionally burns oil.
Antoine
Administrator
Welcome (hi)
Seems more and more people are getting into the Rotary game with "oldies but goodies". (thumb)
As for advice...in addition to the above posts...Do a full maintenance/systems check on the engine & car if you haven't already (cooling system up to snuff?)...Consistent oil+filter changes and maintenance checks will ensure your Rotary lasts that much longer...Don't forget to check & clean your plugs as well!
Seems more and more people are getting into the Rotary game with "oldies but goodies". (thumb)
As for advice...in addition to the above posts...Do a full maintenance/systems check on the engine & car if you haven't already (cooling system up to snuff?)...Consistent oil+filter changes and maintenance checks will ensure your Rotary lasts that much longer...Don't forget to check & clean your plugs as well!
lil_red_wagon
Member
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- lil white p5
yes, that is a really good point also. thermal break downs are kind of an achilles heel of the older rotaries.
The car set for about 4 years before it was traded to a friend for some work. He spent an afternoon checking it out and got it running.
Thats all the history of the car that I have.
I was thinking about changing the plugs and oil. Would bosch platinum 4 plugs help or hinder the rotary? What type of oil will burn best in the 13b?
Ive read through the history of the rotary engine on mazda's website and talked to some of the local mechanics. They said that it was lucky for a rotary to make it past 60,000 miles and that I should not waste my time on it.
So I am kinda out of luck if anything goes wrong and I can not figure out how to fix it.
Thats all the history of the car that I have.
I was thinking about changing the plugs and oil. Would bosch platinum 4 plugs help or hinder the rotary? What type of oil will burn best in the 13b?
Ive read through the history of the rotary engine on mazda's website and talked to some of the local mechanics. They said that it was lucky for a rotary to make it past 60,000 miles and that I should not waste my time on it.
So I am kinda out of luck if anything goes wrong and I can not figure out how to fix it.
lil_red_wagon
Member
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- lil white p5
ngk is pretty much the gold standard for rotary. i don't know anyone who runs anything but. i know lots of rotary engines up higher than the 150k's. my 87 turbo II is at 80k miles right now and it still runs like a sewing machine. most of the issues with these cars aren't the machines under the hood, but the organic matter behind the steering wheel. you have to take more care of the rotary, but it will run for a long time if you do.
Every one on here got it right. Change the spark plugs (NGK are best), also the wires(they are old and brittle)with OEM or any good quality, 20-50wt good quality oil and filter(Do this first), change coolant after you inspect all your hoses. Thats a good start....That is one of the most fun RX's made!
I purchased a 1982 GS new and later a 1 year old 1985 GSL-SE with 8100 miles - both red. (We had matching rear license plate holders which read "My other car is a red RX-7"). My daughter finally replaced the engine in the GS at approximately 220,000 miles. My GSL-SE had 287K miles when I sold it, and I have always regretted selling it - now I'm in the market for another. I was fortunate to have an excellent rotary mechanic (Skip Gorman) who regularly serviced both cars for most of their lives. I gave him much of the credit for their long lives; he maintained that it was because we both drove the cars hard, and didn't lug the engines. He worked on newer RX-7s that came in with blown engines at 50-60K, and said that the problem was that the owners were driving them like a "normal" car (shifting under 3K, etc). Unfortunately, without being first owner, you have no idea of how previous owners have driven and maintained the car. But I agree - the GSL-SE was the most fun to drive.
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Antoine
Administrator
Welcome! (hi)
First of all...You might want to remove the bold and color setting from your post as it makes it a little difficult to read...
Thanks for sharing your Rotary story...It's interesting to read different experiences about life with the "Rotary"...My local Mazda Dealer friend & Mechanic often reminds me to stretch the legs on my 20B when possible because short trips and "normal" driving doesn't really suite the Rotary engine.
It seems to me that the reason Rotary engines are sometimes controversial is because they are basically race engines for the street and need to be properly maintained for maximum performance and life.
Good stuff...Enjoy the Forums!
First of all...You might want to remove the bold and color setting from your post as it makes it a little difficult to read...
Thanks for sharing your Rotary story...It's interesting to read different experiences about life with the "Rotary"...My local Mazda Dealer friend & Mechanic often reminds me to stretch the legs on my 20B when possible because short trips and "normal" driving doesn't really suite the Rotary engine.
It seems to me that the reason Rotary engines are sometimes controversial is because they are basically race engines for the street and need to be properly maintained for maximum performance and life.
Good stuff...Enjoy the Forums!
I checked the hoses/wires. Everything looks good. The guy I bought it off of changed the oil and coolant. It has an electric cooling fan instead of the belt fan. So I am sure it got ran hard at some point in time.
It has straight pipes and backfires everynow and again. So Muffler and tires are next on the list.
It has straight pipes and backfires everynow and again. So Muffler and tires are next on the list.
lil_red_wagon
Member
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- lil white p5
the 12a's are kind of notorious for backfiring. the good thing is that there are no valves burning when it happens. the 13b turbos are also notorious for backfiring, but that is no concern to you.
Antoine
Administrator
Straight pipes...Is it really loud?
Thanks for the update...Keep 'em coming...Add (pics) if you can...
The '84&'85 GSL-SE both had the 13b in them. All the others had the 12a's.....
It has the 13b in it.
Straight pipes...Is it really loud?
Thanks for the update...Keep 'em coming...Add (pics) if you can...
It's not too loud but I need to stop the backfire before I get a ticket.
I was filling the tank on the Rx-7. A guy was looking at it when I was inside paying, As I walked to the car. (For No reason at all) I said that for $XXXX I would sell her. The guy said that he wanted to ride in her first. So he hopped in and we spent 5 minutes driving around, he went to the bank got the cash.
Thanks for the info on the Rotary engine. I hope that I find another one and keep my mouth shut.
So... No more Rx-7.... Now ive got this to play with.
1972 Celica ST Coupe
Thanks for the info on the Rotary engine. I hope that I find another one and keep my mouth shut.
So... No more Rx-7.... Now ive got this to play with.
1972 Celica ST Coupe
(getout)
J/K sad to hear you sold the rx-7 but looks like the celica will be a fun little toy
Welcome! (hi)
First of all...You might want to remove the bold and color setting from your post as it makes it a little difficult to read...
Thanks for sharing your Rotary story...It's interesting to read different experiences about life with the "Rotary"...My local Mazda Dealer friend & Mechanic often reminds me to stretch the legs on my 20B when possible because short trips and "normal" driving doesn't really suite the Rotary engine.
It seems to me that the reason Rotary engines are sometimes controversial is because they are basically race engines for the street and need to be properly maintained for maximum performance and life.
Good stuff...Enjoy the Forums!
were did you get a 20B engine
lil_red_wagon
Member
- :
- lil white p5
he's got a cosmo. check his location.
