Hi all,
I\'ve just done a straight engine swap in my 12A powered 1st Gen as a stop gap for the summer,(winter turbo project anyone:Laugh ?)but this is my first time so was wondering if anybody could put my mind at rest!
The RX had been sat for around ten months with it\'s blown motor,and after doing the usual post engine swap drills and sorting out an oil level sensor fault I had a chance to let her run for a decent amount of time. All seems fine,she fired up pretty much straight away and settled down but she did emit a fair amount of white smoke on tickover which then turned into a dense fog in our street when revs were increased. I **** her down and checked all my levels then fired her again,still smokey but after running for 45 minutes it has cleared it. She still does show signs of it when revs are higher but nowhere as bad as it was and seems to be improving all the time.
The engine was dug out by Tim so the time it had been sat is unknown-am I worrying about nothing!? I\'m hoping it\'s an acumilation of condensation (everywhere!!) and the fact the the engine has been sat on it\'s side etc etc.
Apart from that she runs nice and smooth-could obviously do with some fresh fuel.
Also what oil pressure should I be expecting on tickover and on higher revs as I can\'t remember what my last 1st gen used to show?
Hope you haven\'t fallen asleep by this point but I don\'t want to do any needless damage!
Cheers,any input would be appreciated.
Hi
Oil pressure on mine is about 45 on tick over and raises to 65 when driving, don\'t know how high it goesat high revs as I am to busy watching the road.
Dave
I think you are right about the engine, if the smoke is going away, it will likely be that its been stored on its side etc and the oil has got everywhere it shouldnt.
Oil pressure guages on 1st gens are very inaccurate but when hot, around 30 idle, max about 60
I would say that the the smoke is from your exhaust.
It often needs a good couple of drives to really heat up the whole exhaust to get rid of oil that is lieing in it from an previous engine failure,or it could be coolant too.
Regards
Carl
good thinking Carl.
sure it will be fine, i had plenty of smoke when i restarted mine after a couple of years she runs sweet now
Mark
Ours read about 40 psi (idle) up to about 80 psi at speed (Hot). I\'ve always been amazed at the top reading, but perhaps if the system aint that accurate we\'re all saying similar things.
Also we always get a little bit of smoke on start up but thats just for a few mins, plus I\'m running metering pump and pre mix together.
Hi all,cheers for the feedback-I\'m gonna fire her up again tonight and let her get hot again so I\'ll let you know what transpires!
Nobody I speak to seems to trust the oil pressure gauge so I\'m hoping mine is wildly inaccurate,otherwise I\'ll just get depressed! On tick over she reads between 15-30 depending on what mood she\'s in and when revs are increased to around the 2000 mark it settles at 35-40. I might borrow a proper gauge and check it to be sure for my piece of mind because even though this engine is a stop gap I don\'t want it losing the will to live in the middle of nowhere!
Cheers for the feedback so far.
Tim
Just to let you know that I\'ve let her tickover for an hour the past couple of evenings and she seems to have stopped with the smoke so fingers crossed........
guess you are waiting for a mot but the best think to do is to take it for a good run, once everthing is up to temp open it up:Thumbs-up
Mark
Yeah I\'m itching to get her through an MOT now, she\'s just teasing me on the drive! Are they still exempt from the emissions test do you know?
Yes, fairly sure they are, if your first use was 1985 or earlier for a 1st Gen. Reason I say fairly sure is because I\'m in a strange situation. Car is 1985 but not first used until 1993. (Registered Dec 1992 by the dealer because the cat law was coming into force). Anyway every MOT up until last year was emissions exempt. Last year the tester looked in a NEW manual, which said 1993 cars had to be 3.5%? CO or less. Ours passed but not by much. So I\'m suggesting that you\'re unaffected. Anyone know more details?
Quote from: David NockYes, fairly sure they are, if your first use was 1985 or earlier for a 1st Gen. Reason I say fairly sure is because I\'m in a strange situation. Car is 1985 but not first used until 1993. (Registered Dec 1992 by the dealer because the cat law was coming into force). Anyway every MOT up until last year was emissions exempt. Last year the tester looked in a NEW manual, which said 1993 cars had to be 3.5%? CO or less. Ours passed but not by much. So I\'m suggesting that you\'re unaffected. Anyone know more details?
So that must mean that unless you\'ve got private plates on her,you are in the unique position of having a J plate FB!
Anyway,I think you\'re right David,I remember when my first FB went to be MOT\'d and it was the first time they\'d had an RX7 in and I think the needle on the emissions machine nearly broke in half on the stopper! Any idea how they get around not doing the test now it\'s all computerised because as far as I\'m aware the test program won\'t let them continue unless the car passes each segment.
Update.....new battery today so she actually starts without the aid of my van! :Thumbs-up
They should put your car on the emmissions tester,but the results should be accedemic only.My 1st gen was tested the first time,but never after that.My Rx2 was not even hooked up to the emmision machine.They now just check for smoke on motor running,a lil on startup is no prob.Just explain to the tester that the motor runs on premix.......:cheers
Yep, pre 85 rotaries are visual check only :yes
Quote from: captainbizzaroSo that must mean that unless you\'ve got private plates on her,you are in the unique position of having a J plate FB!
Anyway,I think you\'re right David,I remember when my first FB went to be MOT\'d and it was the first time they\'d had an RX7 in and I think the needle on the emissions machine nearly broke in half on the stopper! Any idea how they get around not doing the test now it\'s all computerised because as far as I\'m aware the test program won\'t let them continue unless the car passes each segment.
Update.....new battery today so she actually starts without the aid of my van! :Thumbs-up
Nearly- It\'s on a K plate. It\'s a \'he\'. His name is \'Gus\'. Have a look at him and his sister \'Flash\' in my post under 1st Generations, 19th March. \'Flash\' left home sortly after they had their photos taken.
Thanks Oldone and Brett. Anyone any idea how we\'re fixed for the emissions test with technically a Dec 1992 FB? My local tester (who\'s done the car as \'exempt\' for years wasn\'t really sure what the emissions levels should be for it under the new computer system. Coming up again in December.
Quote from: David NockThanks Oldone and Brett. Anyone any idea how we\'re fixed for the emissions test with technically a Dec 1992 FB? My local tester (who\'s done the car as \'exempt\' for years wasn\'t really sure what the emissions levels should be for it under the new computer system. Coming up again in December.
If he is strictly going to test it on 1992 model rules.then you are a bit buggered old chap :yes unless you still got all the emmission stuff on :Hammer If you tester is \'sympathetic\' to older cars he will know \'what to do\'.........:guinness
Quote from: BrettYep, pre 85 rotaries are visual check only :yes
Thank you kind sir,that is what I wanted to hear!:Party
Quote from: David NockNearly- It\'s on a K plate. It\'s a \'he\'. His name is \'Gus\'. Have a look at him and his sister \'Flash\' in my post under 1st Generations, 19th March. \'Flash\' left home sortly after they had their photos taken.
Hi David,how presumptious of me to label him a her!! Mine is a him aswell actually now you say it,his name is Nevil-I\'ll get some pics on here sometime when the weather allows any camera action! Gus looks great by the way-is he as you found him apart from the stripe or have you had a lot to do to make him look that great
Quote from: oldoneIf he is strictly going to test it on 1992 model rules.then you are a bit buggered old chap :yes unless you still got all the emmission stuff on :Hammer If you tester is \'sympathetic\' to older cars he will know \'what to do\'.........:guinness
No, by cooincidence I took the original exhast system off only last year, now running the usual stainless system. When my tester did try the emissions out of interest a good few years ago, it had virtually none. All CO and NOX burnt in the thermal reactor. Now with the reactor and air pump gone CO\'s around 3.5 %, hyrocarbons still fine.
Quote from: captainbizzaroHi David,how presumptious of me to label him a her!! Mine is a him aswell actually now you say it,his name is Nevil-I\'ll get some pics on here sometime when the weather allows any camera action! Gus looks great by the way-is he as you found him apart from the stripe or have you had a lot to do to make him look that great
One of those great moments in your life. We\'d run 1st generations as my wifes daily car from 1984 to 1993 and \'Flash\' was getting on a bit, but we\'d no intention of changing. Then picked up this rumour that there was an unused 1st Gen somewhere in London. Got the info from the secretary of the RX7 club (as it then was -no interneting then boys!) and went down to see for myself.
There it was in a dealer in Barnet, in a workshop storage area covered in wax as it came off the ship!! Also an absolutely exact match for \'Flash\'.
I don\'t think the price was bad at £9995 in 1993, except it was a bit of a gamble after seven and a half years in store. Also insurance was a real problem. Well we took the gamble and it paid off. I made the dealer thoroughly PDI it, clean and polish it, change all the fluids and the battery.The only problems from storing were early rear pads (2 years on) and clutch plate(3 years on), both of which I\'m sure failed due to hard rust deposits on rear discs and flywheel.
The engines been fine, as has the bodywork and really everything else.
There now, thats a long post from me, but I\'ll never ever forget coming up the A1 from London one glorious summer evening in 1993, having just bought it. It smelled new for years. What a glorious way to spend money!
Oh yes, one other thing, Only the spare tyre survived more than 10,000 miles. Had to change due to old age (cracks in longidudinal groves of the treads)
The emmisions test is sorted out. As reported on a different thread, the VOSA agency have said that cars with delayed registrations are emmision tested to the build date, (i.e.shipping date for Japanese etc), providing you can prove the date. So no emmisions test for Gus in December!
Good news mate thats great
Quote from: David NockNo, by cooincidence I took the original exhast system off only last year, now running the usual stainless system. When my tester did try the emissions out of interest a good few years ago, it had virtually none. All CO and NOX burnt in the thermal reactor. Now with the reactor and air pump gone CO\'s around 3.5 %, hyrocarbons still fine.
Thermal reactor ?????.........:rolleyes: have not seen one for about 10 years......:eek: :wiggle
Quote from: oldoneThermal reactor ?????.........:rolleyes: have not seen one for about 10 years......:eek: :wiggle
Got a few rusting at the back of the workshop if you want a refresher! :Giggle :Hammer
Quote from: BrettGot a few rusting at the back of the workshop if you want a refresher! :Giggle :Hammer
:rollin :cool :cheers
Quote from: oldoneThermal reactor ?????.........:rolleyes: have not seen one for about 10 years......:eek: :wiggle
Yes and I\'ve got 2 rusting away now as well....... Just in case!!
In case what I haven\'t worked out yet!
Quote from: David NockYes and I\'ve got 2 rusting away now as well....... Just in case!!
In case what I haven\'t worked out yet!
Take them off and throw them sir,release the horses.........:Thumbsup!
Quote from: David NockThe emmisions test is sorted out. As reported on a different thread, the VOSA agency have said that cars with delayed registrations are emmision tested to the build date, (i.e.shipping date for Japanese etc), providing you can prove the date. So no emmisions test for Gus in December!
how do you prove that?
mine is a 1986 and it did fail the mot on emissions last year, to be fair i knew the mot tester and he tweeked the carb and got it through (the first mot in my new shell) my old rx was a 85 and was never tested, after getting home i thought the same that it should be exempt but guess it just come into testing?
went through ok this year but now i have the weber on there!
Mark
Quote from: oldoneTake them off and throw them sir,release the horses.........:Thumbsup!
indead the only thing they are good for is a door stop
Mark
Quote from: mpk490pindead the only thing they are good for is a door stop
Mark
Not true - you can throw them at pikeys too! :wiggle
Quote from: mpk490phow do you prove that?
mine is a 1986 and it did fail the mot on emissions last year, to be fair i knew the mot tester and he tweeked the carb and got it through (the first mot in my new shell) my old rx was a 85 and was never tested, after getting home i thought the same that it should be exempt but guess it just come into testing?
went through ok this year but now i have the weber on there!
Mark
Fortunately, when I bought the car \'new\', I made the dealer type up a record of its history as stored for years unregistered and I\'ve also got from them the papers from the cargo ship it came from Japan on.
I can\'t see why a 1986 (C reg?) Series 1 should be subject to any emmisions testing. Try the VOSA telephone line that Trevtubby gave me. Option 3 button when you get through, to speak to the nice lady. No is 0870 6060440
Quote from: David NockFortunately, when I bought the car \'new\', I made the dealer type up a record of its history as stored for years unregistered and I\'ve also got from them the papers from the cargo ship it came from Japan on.
I can\'t see why a 1986 (C reg?) Series 1 should be subject to any emmisions testing. Try the VOSA telephone line that Trevtubby gave me. Option 3 button when you get through, to speak to the nice lady. No is 0870 6060440
thanks David, its not a problem yet but would rather sort it out before it may become one
Mark
Hi all, my 2p worth.
the exemption requirements include \'without catalytic converter\', so if like mine you still have the 100kg of ironmongery, it should still pass the emissions tests for CO and hydrocarbons.
Just how much power am I losing keeping the emissions gubbins attached?
Well it comes more to the crunch when a new exhaust is due. I\'d have liked to keep the standard set up, which had virtually zero CO and hydrocarbons emissions? The Mazda front pipe set up would have been about £250 on its own, then there\'s the small box/mid pipe bit, then the back box is about another £280. Plus theres all the air pipe to maintain.
I read once that there\'s about 5% improvement with a stainless system replacing all the Mazda trickery, but really, everyone changes because it boils down to the hellish cost of the original system every time.
These things were originally Calafornian specification, which I believe was serious emission control even in the 1970\'s.
Well it\'s crunch time everyone, he\'s in for MOT on Monday so fingers crossed and all that!
Well she went for MOT and after being sat since February only failed on two 50pence sized holes in the rear inner arches so I\'m well chuffed,should have full ticket by the end of the week!!
Oh yeah,and I spoke to the friendly MOT man and he confirmed that all Neville would be subjected to emmisions wise,is a visual check so hurrah for that and all!
Quote from: captainbizzaroWell she went for MOT and after being sat since February only failed on two 50pence sized holes in the rear inner arches so I\'m well chuffed,should have full ticket by the end of the week!!
Now can you keep us all posted about this one? It\'s the body repair I think all the Gen 1\'s have to have at some time. I\'m dreading it. I think the sunroof drains come down inside the main roof pillars and stop short inside - then draining ONTO the inner rear wing INSIDE the car. Gus isn\'t affected yet because he\'s been garaged, (and waxoyled). Let us know how Neville gets on.
I just realised Neville changed sex a couple of times in the last few posts,I must\'ve been tired!! Thanks to the wife for pointing that out. Anyway,David I\'ll definatly keep you posted on the welding etc-there are a few other bodywork bits that I want to sort so watch this space.........! I get him back Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
Quote from: David NockNow can you keep us all posted about this one? It\'s the body repair I think all the Gen 1\'s have to have at some time. I\'m dreading it. I think the sunroof drains come down inside the main roof pillars and stop short inside - then draining ONTO the inner rear wing INSIDE the car. Gus isn\'t affected yet because he\'s been garaged, (and waxoyled). Let us know how Neville gets on.
i added some pipe to mine whilst the wings were off but you can get to them with the inner wings out, i drilled a hole in the inner wing and the pipe just drains out from there, did the same with the rears:Thumbs-up
Mark
I thought the sunroof drains were actually those air vents at the front of the rear side windows?
Quote from: CycadukI thought the sunroof drains were actually those air vents at the front of the rear side windows?
the front of the sunroof drops into the inside of the front wing (great idea, wonder why the bottom of the wing rot out?) the rear pipes from the sunroof drop out into the vents just behind the doors (next to the rear quaters) the rear hatch drops in the rear vanlence (wonder why this rots out?) it was these i add the pipe to also just to stop it dropping onto the vanlence
Mark
When I get mine back I\'ll have to attack them with a bit of stiff wire because I\'ve got a hunch most of them are blocked up as water sits in the well around the rear screen and the roof hatch is a touch rotton,thankfully it hasn\'t attacked the actual shell yet. One day to go....:3gears-rh
Quote from: captainbizzaroWhen I get mine back I\'ll have to attack them with a bit of stiff wire because I\'ve got a hunch most of them are blocked up as water sits in the well around the rear screen and the roof hatch is a touch rotton,thankfully it hasn\'t attacked the actual shell yet. One day to go....:3gears-rh
again a normal problem get them cleared out
Mark
Hooraaaaaaaaaaaay,finally got him back after the garage he was at used every one of the ten days that they are allowed for the free restest so I now have a bonafied MOT....thats the good bit...
.....took him for a celebratory scrub at the jetwash to remove the 4 months of cack that seems to come from the tree and in my excitement,knocked off the front Mazda badge.:2Mad As if that wasn\'t enough I see to my delight that they appear to have undersealed a landrover right next to him so consequently most of the front half is speckled in waxoyl.:2Mad :2Mad :2Mad :2Mad :2Mad :2Mad
Ho hum....anyways plenty of time to get him spotless for Japfest......if anybody gets a minute though could you take a pic of your battery hold down bracket setup as mine consists of 5 XL cable ties and is a touch agricultural to say the least.
Cheers all.
Tim