RX-7 advice?

[Lewtyper]

Hi PHs

Wondering if you can help.

I’m looking at an RX-7 as a potential weekend car. Went to have a look yesterday and it seems like honest, genuine car/ seller.

He told me generally RX-7s run rich from the factory to protect the engine. For the first couple of minutes, standing behind the car it was very smelly and my eyes were stinging. This seemed to stop after the car was given a few revs (after a backfire or two)

Is this normal for an RX-7? I’ve been reading around and seen mixed opinions on whether the above would mean the engine was running rich or lean.

It’s a standard car bar an aftermarket rear section.

Thanks

Lew

[Rhino]

Probably worth having a look at fduk.org, lots more information there.

I've heard before that turbo cars run slightly rich but not as much as what you're describing, could be indicating a problem but what I'm not sure.

[wolves_wanderer]

If it has been decatted then that could well be normal, although you would really want the car mapped to suit it to avoid the possibility of the car running lean.

[Lewtyper]

wolves_wanderer said:

If it has been decatted then that could well be normal, although you would really want the car mapped to suit it to avoid the possibility of the car running lean.

Thanks both, I'm awaiting activation on fduk

It's not decatted according to the owner. I've read rotaries can be prone to this from a cold start due to the amount of unburnt fuel in the exhaust?

[probedb]

They run rich on startup. A stock ECU should be ok if it's just got a different exhaust.

But ask away on fd:uk you'll get sorted

[Kaiser Damz]

it will run rich after it starts, it was mazda's way of getting around emmisions. essentially it acts like a choke on an old car or motorbike. it will rev a bit higher than normal after start up.

fduk is the best uk website for advice.

[Mave]

Mine always used to stink, pop and cough on cold start up.

[Andy30241]

Bit of a different car but my 8 is a bit stinky for the few moments. And then clams down fine after. I think it must be something to do with the Rotary engine in them coz my mates does the same thing.

[nickrex]

My Uk spec revs to 3k rpm for about 30 seconds on cold start up. I think it runs rich on the cold cycle, it's always done it and is normal .

[TREMAiNE]

Indeed it is ok. I've been told mine smells a bit upon start up, though I never noticed myself as I can't smell!

[pantera chris]

I have had my RX7 for 3 years now and have been to many RX7 meets. Rest assured, they all stink of fuel, oil and anything else that will burn! Thats half the fun!

It is most likely fitted with an Apexi Power FC ECU which runs rich on its stock map to allow for a little extra boost that a decat would give you. Better to overfuel than run lean. Rotaries don't deal with DET very well.

Also they burn oil by design by spraying oil into the combustion chambers via injectors. Bear that in mind.

Have fun!