Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Topic started by: Jim_rx7 on March 14, 2007, 09:00:40 PM

Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 14, 2007, 09:00:40 PM
Ok... new rx7 owner.

What should I be doing to the car first to make sure it\'s tip-top?

I was thinking Oil/filter change and plugs. Anything else??
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: peterwolds on March 14, 2007, 09:03:45 PM
coolant change
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 14, 2007, 09:04:28 PM
Quote from: peterwoldscoolant change

Easy to DIY?

I usually would use a decent garage for my piston cars, but not sure about letting them loose on the rotary engine!
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: strange_days_uk on March 14, 2007, 09:04:50 PM
get a compression test done from a rotary specialist

any rebuild history ?
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 14, 2007, 09:07:40 PM
Compression test was done in 2005 ( 2 years ago I know ), but all was fine then anyway. Mileage is 95K and engine was supposedly done at 75K. (don\'t know
what was done) Although no history of it.

Can any decent garage do the compression test? Or does it have to be a rotary specialist?

Saying that I doubt it would have lasted this long without something being done? I was going to check with old dealer who done the work on it, but didn\'t have much time beforehand.
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Grizzly on March 14, 2007, 09:09:07 PM
Check its Got Uk tyres on.
Check what mods it has and what Fuel system it is Running with.

Diff/Gearbox/Engine Oil Change.
Coolant Change
Plug Change
Check/Replace Rad caps.

Comp check would be good but as you have just bought it you have History of Rebuild/Engine Condition right??
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Grizzly on March 14, 2007, 09:14:43 PM
Quote from: Jim_rx7Although no history of it.

Can any decent garage do the compression test? Or does it have to be a rotary specialist?

MMMM the Rule is if there is No proof take it as not had one. But If its done 95.000 Miles it will have had one (if thats 95.000 KMs i\'d be a Worried) who did the Rebuild? Can you contact them to find out details?.

Yep, Comp test is a Specialist only job, it is not done in the same way as a Piston engine and requires Specialist tools (the Comp test should always come back with Three readings per Rotor i.e. 5.1/5.3/5.3   5.2/6/5.7)
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 14, 2007, 09:15:38 PM
Quote from: GrizzlyCheck its Got Uk tyres on.
Check what mods it has and what Fuel system it is Running with.

Diff/Gearbox/Engine Oil Change.
Coolant Change
Plug Change
Check/Replace Rad caps.

Comp check would be good but as you have just bought it you have History of Rebuild/Engine Condition right??


It is a UK car, not a Jap import.
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 14, 2007, 09:17:01 PM
Quote from: GrizzlyMMMM the Rule is if there is No proof take it as not had one. But If its done 95.000 Miles it will have had one (if thats 95.000 KMs i\'d be a Worried) who did the Rebuild? Can you contact them to find out details?.

Yep, Comp test is a Specialist only job, it is not done in the same way as a Piston engine and requires Specialist tools (the Comp test should always come back with Three readings per Rotor i.e. 5.1/5.3/5.3   5.2/6/5.7)

It is a UK car, it\'s 95K miles, so it has had an engine rebuild at some point. I will get a compression test sorted out soonish.
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: teabagger on March 14, 2007, 11:24:49 PM
Quote from: Jim_rx7Easy to DIY?

I usually would use a decent garage for my piston cars, but not sure about letting them loose on the rotary engine!

Yeah, just takes a bit of time. You need to be able to get under the car to disconnect the bottom rad hose for flushing though, it\'s recommended not to use the drain plugs as the threads are so easy to strip. Me and a mate did mine in a day easy, including stripping out the wheel arch to totally remove the overflow tank for cleaning though we forgot to drain the engine block. (Didn\'t matter as it turns out as the water seals were screwed :()
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 15, 2007, 01:38:37 AM
Is there a "how to" for this? Also will any coolant do?
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: strange_days_uk on March 15, 2007, 01:44:03 AM
http://www.robrobinette.com/flush.htm
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 15, 2007, 01:45:12 AM
Again.... cheers! :)
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: moakesr on March 15, 2007, 04:10:58 PM
Get yourself an alloy AST tank and fit it whilst you are changing the coolant, the stock item has a nasty tendancy to split and dump coolant.

Cheers,

Richard
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: mikeyh on March 15, 2007, 08:55:44 PM
if your ever in edinburgh pop into me and ill get car up on ramps and check it over.
also do your levels for you.
Title: New car... what should I do first?
Post by: Jim_rx7 on March 16, 2007, 12:41:16 AM
Quote from: mikeyhif your ever in edinburgh pop into me and ill get car up on ramps and check it over.
also do your levels for you.

Levels?? (sorry I am a stupid head). Where do you work mate. Up in Edinburgh every now and again.