RX-4 running on half a motor?

[low_n_slow72]

I recently came across a 76 RX-4 with a 13B, it hasn\'t ran for 13 years. Am new to rotarys, so read forums, trying to educate myself, did compression test on both rotors, lubed up with kerosene and ATF, and managed to get an even and regular pulse out of both rotors, mind you the compression is only about 65 on one and 90 and the other, so not the best. Tried starting it, took a little time, but what happens is it seems to run on both rotors for about 3-5 seconds and after that just seems to run on half of the motor.  Does anybody have any ideas? Have checked resistance in wires and swapped plugs around, also new points and condensers. Help.

Robin B.

[Brett]

Does the engine vibrate and buck a lot?
How was it stored, were the cambers injected with oil?
If it\'s been stood for this long you may have a tip that\'s sticking through corrosion.

Have you verified that the oiling system is functioning correctly?

Might be worth running a 2 stroke premix...

With luck, older, wiser people will be along shortly with better ideas!

Finally, welcome to the club! :wave

[Ray]

Hi Robin,

If it\'s been stood for a while, fuel in the float chamber could have evaporated away and it could be some of the jets in the carburetor are slightly blocked with the residue, the hitachi\'s have got an intricate set of holes for the cold start and slow speed running. Does it even out with more throttle?
Also check the choke/cold start mechanism, they can seize up and stick.

Ray

[low_n_slow72]

Thanks for the quick reply. I don\'t think that anything special was done to the motor before storage. The story goes is the guy that had it died about 13 years ago, his family tracked down his old mechanic that used to work on it, and gave the car to him. He said to me that he thought that there was only about 1000 miles on the rebuilt motor. He tried to start it about 7 years ago, and sounds to me that is doing the same running on half the motor. When I do get it started, it seems to run pretty smooth. And no I haven\'t checked the oiling system, but definitely will figure out that and check it. And as for the carb, I know the air cleaner has been off for the last seven years, so ya, I\'ll take it off and give it a good cleaning. Haven\'t put my foot in it to get the revs up, have been a little cautious. Appreciate all your advice, it gives me some direction. Not too many people in western canada that know about rotarys.

Robin B.

[m1tch]

If the engine wasn\'t properly stored raw fuel might have been in the engine and have slowly eaten the seals