Battery, Starter - Hard Cranking

83mazda05

Category 1 103/83
5/7/83


RX-7


SUBJECT Hard Cranking


DESCRIPTION If RX-7 vehicles have not been in use for a long period of time and the engine is crank-

ed with a weak battery, hard cranking may occur due to carbon trap..

When the vehicles have been stored for such a long period of time carbon accumulated on the rotor surface may be flaked off, and it can be trapped between the rotor and rotor housing by the sweeping motion of the apex seals only when the engine is started. It will not occur when the engine is running.

To verify carbon trap, the following two conditions must be confirmed:

1) The problem occurred when the engine was started.

2) The apex seal can be observed through one of the leading spark plug holes. (If carbon trap occurs, the rotor will always stop at this location).

If carbon trap is verified, please use the following procedure:



Procedure:

I. For vehicles with manual transmission:

1) Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the spark plugs.

2) Hoist the vehicle, remove the starter and install the Flywheel Turning Tool, P/N 49FA 42 065. This special tool is newly established for vehicles with manual transmission.

3) Turn the Flywheel Turning Tool counterclockwise as shown until the force is reduced considerably.

CAUTION: Do not turn the flywheel in the direction of normal engine rotation.



4) Remove the special tool and reinstall the starter.
5) Lower the vehicle. Turn the front pulley clockwise, facing the rear of the car, with a 19 mm wrench. At the same time, inject 20-30 cc of engine oil through carburetor. Do not exceed the specified quantity of oil.

6) Turn the engine approximately five
(5) revolutions to make certain the engine rotates freely.

NOTE: Do not use the starter to rotate the engine.

7) Install the spark plugs.

8) Check that the battery is fully charged.

9) Start the engine and warm up to normal operating temperature.

10) Stop the engine. Remove the spark plugs and check compression. If the compression is over 6.0 kg/sq. cm. the repair is completed.



11. For vehicles with automatic transmission:

1) Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the spark plugs.

2) Remove the inspection plate from the converter housing.

3) Insert a standard screwdriver through the inspection hole. Turn the flywheel by prying against the flywheel teeth and converter housing as shown until the force is reduced considerably.

CAUTION: Do not turn the flywheel in the direction of normal engine rotation.

4) Follow the procedure in 1, steps 5-10.