New Cosmo 13B owner - London UK, but stalling problems & a/c not working

[TimCosmo]

Hello,
I have just got myself a 1991 Cosmo off ebay UK and took delivery Saturday.
Description read "Everything working exactly as it should", which is total rubbish!
It's a great car (Classic red, S version) but it has stalling problems, particularly if I turn the steering when (like parking or sharp cornering), which is driving me crazy.
Also, I went to get an Air Con re-gas today, but they tell me the compressor had seized!
Oh jeepers, my money is all going to go west I fear.
Should I worry, or can these things be fixed easily without huge bills ?
(I dont do DIY Im afraid)
Many Thanks for any help & advice.
Tim

 

[Berty]

Sadly your best bet to get things right is DIY as most places have no idea.

The stalling issue is a common problem and can be caused by a number of issues. The first place to start is usually checking for vacuum leaks in the complex vac-network. You can also try to increase the idle speed via the screw which is on top of the throttle body, but this will only mask the real issue. You should also look at the following;

-AFM outside of spec (buy a multimeter and check the resistance values)
-Map sensor plugged in?
-Dirty Air filter
-Dirty Plus
-Bad Coils
-Bad Plugs
-Leaky Gaskets
-Intake pipe work damaged or cracked
-Power steering fluid
-Is the air-pump hooked up? (this was causing the stalling issue on mine)
-Are the belts tight?

Usually this is nothing major, it is just something simple which isn't quite right. Garages will charge you $$$ to locate the issue, but it might take you and a mate a few hours to go through the basics and once you find the issue it will usually only be a very cheap part.

Air con is easy to replace. It just takes some basic tools and a little bit of hard work BUT you will need to get some-one to gas it. Here is what you need to do...

-Undo the tension bolts holding the belt tight
-Unplug the connector
-Undo the gas lines - you'll need a special ring spanner to do this but they are really common.
-Jack the car up at the front
-Remove the under tray
-Undo the compressor from the bolts on the side (IIRC)
-Now you can install the new compressor.
-Make sure you use something like Loctite on the gas lines.
-Go back and re-attach belts and apply tension
-Attach connector
-Done

At most this is a two hour job, even if you are going slowly. You'll need a socket set, trolley jack, ring spanners (ratcheting ones are awesome), and the ring spanners designed for pipes. My rule always is, if the tools to do the job cost less than the workshop fee, then buy the tools and do it yourself!

The bottom line is not to be afraid of learning this stuff. Its a machine - machines can always be fixed, it just takes some common sense and patience. If I didn't learn DIY stuff then there was no way I could have kept my Cosmo on the road and although some things were daunting at first, I'm glad that I took the plunge. It also helps to have a friend on hand to assist, even if they aren't mechanically inclined.

Post some pics of the beastie!

 

[frank20bcosmo]

Hi Tim

is it the red one with the COSMO private plate?, re the stalling issue worth checking the fuel, you should be running it on Shell 99ron fuel,, I put 20 of normal unleaded in mine as I could not get any 99 ron and mine was stalling,, got it to a shell garge filled it up with the good stuff and bingo,, no more stalling

Berty knows his Cosmo's so worth checking out what he says if problem persits but worth checking fuel 1st as a cheap thing to try,, Japanese fuel is a lot higher ron than ours so they are set up to run on that grade,,

worth checking out the mazda rotary club (UK Based) as they will have adverts of Rotary garages in your area,, Hayward Rotary is very good but he is in Berkshire
just in case you need some help with sorting it out

Frank

 

[TimCosmo]

Thanks very much for the info guys.
I have also noticed the car is using a lot of fuel. Possibly doing about 10 miles per gallon max?
I will try your suggestions.
Oh yes, this is the car with the Cosmo plate.
Cheers
Tim

 

[frank20bcosmo]

Thanks very much for the info guys.
I have also noticed the car is using a lot of fuel. Possibly doing about 10 miles per gallon max?
I will try your suggestions.
Oh yes, this is the car with the Cosmo plate.
Cheers
Tim

Tim, I believe the original owner was a member of the Mazda Rotary Club,, I think the guy you bought it off only had it a short time,, what did you pay for it in the end if you dont mind me asking as I know his starting price was 4k,, it does look mint though

you will have to get over to Rotorstock in August at Santa Pod, lots and lots of rotaries,, more RX7's than anything else but good to see all those rotary engine cars in one place

 

[TimCosmo]

Yes, 4k it was.
Rather fed up with the dead air con.
Anyway, just filled up with 99oct petrol and will report back on stalling situation.
Thx
Tim

 

[Antoine]

Welcome and thanks for joining the Community, Tim!

While there aren't many Cosmo owners out there, the few in this forum have been great...You're in good hands here!

If you've got a moment, it would be great to see some pics of your Cosmo...You can start your own thread and or post here Cosmo Roll Call

 

[13bcosmo]

ok i would get the engine compression tested as i see stalling as a sign.

about the ac compressor being seized i was told the same thing because apparently some ac's you can spin by hand when the car isn't switched on, not the case with this unit, doesn't mean it's seized. and will save you their $600 aircon rebuild fee. which is what i bet they wanted to do.
went to another place and they did the conversion and it works fine. (apart from the odd clicking when switching on and off)

 

[TimCosmo]

Thanks about the seized compressor info. Yes, they said they could not turn it by hand.

Can you please clarify what you mean by "the conversion?

Cheers,
Tim

 

[rodneooo]

I beleive he was talking about the conversion from R12 to new type of ac gas. all they do it change the fittings where the system is filled, bleed out the old, fill with new oil and gas.

U should be able to spin the compressor by hand without the car on. maybe while in the car the other pulleys make it alot harder, but should def spin freely. iv got 2 in my shed they both spin very easily with clutch and of coarse without.