84-85 GSL-SE (13B EFI) Unflooding procedure

We have included some background information on this condition to help avoid the situation in the future. The actual unflooding procedure has been divided into two segments. One is an easy “three-step” process which can be done by anyone. It is effective in 90% of all flooded conditions. This procedure should always be tried before attempting the complex process. Since the complex process involves pulling the spark plugs, only people with adequate tools and mechanical aptitude should attempt it.

Common Symptoms

• Vehicle was running fine the last time I parked it, but now it won’t start.
• I can hear the engine rotating, but it sounds strange. Also, I smell gasoline.
• I moved my car from the garage to the street, turned it off and now it won’t start.
• I left my car with a friend and they moved it. Now it won’t start.
• My car has been sitting for a long time and won’t start.

Background
The RX-7 is well known for flooding problems. One of the most common is caused by a “short start” condition. The “short start” is when someone starts the vehicle and turns it off before it is allowed to reach full operating temperature. The typical situation is moving the vehicle from one parking spot to another(ex: from garage to driveway). Cooler weather, especially temperatures below 70 degrees, aggravate the situation. What has happened, is the engine is still in the cold-start warmup cycle. Due to a fluke in the engine management’s fuel injection computer, if the engine is shut off during this cycle, it is highly likely the engine will flood itself out the next time the engine is cranked. It does not matter whether you wait one hour or one week, the computer will wait for you the next time it’s started. Once again, this is not something that will present itself as a problem every time you short-start the car. If consistent starting problems are experienced outside of the short-start situation, service is probably needed to the vehicle.

Rules of thumb

• You will have to actively unflood the vehicle. RX-7s WILL NOT unflood themselves, even if allowed to sit for long periods of time.
• DO NOT pump the gas pedal at any time while cranking the engine.
• If the vehicle doesn’t start within 5 seconds of cranking it’s probably not going to start without unflooding.
• If car is heavily flooded, spark plug replacement and oil changing may be required.
• There is no cure for the short start problem other than the discipline to avoid the situation
• ALWAYS ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO REACH FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE BEFORE TURNING ENGINE OFF

Easy 3-Step Method(1984-85 SE)

PREPARATION
Battery needs to still have a reasonable charge. If engine is cranking slowly, please charge battery first or connect jumper cables.

STEP ONE
Locate ignition coils by battery under hood
Slide blue blade connector from trailing ignition coil as shown above. Leave connector unplugged and get back into vehicle.

STEP TWO
Hold accelerator on floor and crank engine for approx. 15~20 seconds. Engine may start momentarily or sputter, but will not run for sustained period. It is very important that you hold the accelerator on the floor the complete time the engine is cranked during this step of the procedure.

STEP THREE
Reconnect blade connector on trailing ignition coil and get back inside vehicle. Try to start vehicle like normal WITHOUT touching the accelerator at all. If vehicle doe not start within FIVE SECONDS, it’s not going to start without doing the “three-step” method again. Sometimes this procedure has to be done five or six times to get vehicle started. If vehicle still won’t start, make sure battery is charged adequately or proceed to complex process, if your mechanical abilities allow.
Note: Vehicle will smoke heavily for awhile after startup. The more flooded the engine, the longer it will smoke.

Complex Unflooding Procedure(84-85 SE)

Note: This procedure is only to be done by persons with adequate tools and experience. Also, it is intended to be done after attempts to unflood with the Easy 3-step Method have failed.

TOOLS

• Standard 13/16 spark plug socket and ratchet
• One quart automatic transmission fluid(ATF)-any type
• Oil squirter, fluid bulb(like a baster), or funnel with hose
• NGK spark plug set(if needed)

PREPARATION

Battery needs to still have a reasonable charge. If engine is cranking slowly, please charge battery first or connect jumper cables.

STEP ONE
Locate ignition coils by battery under hood
Slide blue blade connector from trailing ignition coil as shown above. Leave connector unplugged.

STEP TWO
Engine has (4)spark plugs arranged in a square pattern on the drivers side of engine. Please label each plug wire and remove all four plugs. Note: It is absolutely imperative that the wires be able to go back onto the correct spark plug hole when the procedure is completed. Also, make sure plug wires are out of the way of the accessory belts to avoid tangling when engine cranked in step two.

STEP THREE
Make sure all four spark plugs are pulled, blue connector disconnected and ignition wires are away from accessories and belts. Get inside of vehicle, hold accelerator on floor, and crank engine for approx. 15~20 seconds. Engine WILL NOT start during this procedure. Note: You will see lots of gasoline vapor misting in engine compartment. This is normal and will diminish during cranking process.

STEP FOUR
Place approximately one ounce of automatic transmission fluid(ATF) into each of the bottom two spark plug holes. This will be difficult, but ABSOLUTELY necessary. The fluid will relubricate the chambers of the engine and allow it to build compression. Use any type ATF and any reasonable means to get fluid into engine.
Examine original spark plugs. Clean and dry carefully, if still in acceptable condition. Use a brand new set of NGK plugs, if necessary.
Install plugs and reattach spark plug wires. Note: As mentioned before, it is absolutely imperative that the right wire go to the right hole. Wires can be traced one-by-one from their distributor cap connection. Each cap connection is labeled L1, L2, T1 or T2. Remember T stands for top, L for lower, 1 for front and 2 for rear.

STEP FIVE
Reconnect blue blade connector on trailing coil. Get back in vehicle and try to start vehicle like normal WITHOUT touching the accelerator at all. Engine should start almost immediately. On rare occasions, this procedure has to be repeated.
Note: Vehicle will smoke EXTREMELY heavily for awhile after startup. The more flooded the engine, the longer it will smoke.
Once engine has warmed up completely and battery has had some time to charge, turn engine off and restart. Engine should start normally. It is highly recommended to change the oil as soon as possible. Oil becomes heavily gasoline contaminated from the flooding.