Any rotary owners out there?

[6MT_FTW]

I hear that they can be difficult to start at times and prone to flooding. Then I saw this:

Confirmed.

[Huzer]

@6mt_ftw I flooded my old RX8 once. It was not fond of short moves (like garage to driveway shuffling).

[Chariotoflove]

@6mt_ftw I also flooded my RX-8 a couple of times. A factory issued ECU update helped fix that. The important thing is that you wanted to make sure to rev it before cutting off if it didn’t have time to warm up first. It was made to start up very rich, and if you left that fuel in the rotors, it would apparently degrade the apex seals faster, which had longer-term consequences. Once I learned to rev it to past 6K when moving the car in the driveway, I never had the problem again.

[Just Jeepin']

@chariotoflove said in Any rotary owners out there?:

Once I learned to rev it to past 6K when moving the car in the driveway

....

I’m thinking just maybe a car designed for general consumption shouldn’t require this sort of care and feeding.

[Chariotoflove]

@just-jeepin said in Any rotary owners out there?:

@chariotoflove said in Any rotary owners out there?:

Once I learned to rev it to past 6K when moving the car in the driveway

....

I’m thinking just maybe a car designed for general consumption shouldn’t require this sort of care and feeding.

I think that’s fair. Ironically, the problems with the Renesis that gave it a reputation for being finicky grew out of efforts to improve the problems in the previous gen engine, like trying to reduce fuel consumption and oil usage. Unfortunately, in the first few years, it became apparent that the adaptions had consequences. For instance, reducing oil consumption led to decreased apex seal life and early loss of compression. They tried to make this car as reliable as an appliance Camry as they could, but it just wasn’t that kind of beast.

Of course, I would argue that something as complicated as an automobile shouldn’t be taken for granted like a toaster, as many Camry owners seem to do. But that’s another discussion.

[Nauraushaun]

@chariotoflove said in Any rotary owners out there?:

Once I learned to rev it to past 6K when moving the car in the driveway, I never had the problem again

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@6mt_ftw I'm a little worried about the claim of no oil.

[ttyymmnn]

@6mt_ftw

Yes, I own a rotary. What would you like to know?

[6MT_FTW]

@ttyymmnn Any problems getting it started? Have you experienced any flooding issues? How long do the seals last?

[6MT_FTW]

@whoistheleader Well, that might explain the incredulity at it starting.

[Chariotoflove]

@6mt_ftw said in Any rotary owners out there?:

@ttyymmnn Any problems getting it started? Have you experienced any flooding issues? How long do the seals last?

Ask him how hard it is to get started when it’s cold.

[ttyymmnn]

@6mt_ftw said in Any rotary owners out there?:

@ttyymmnn Any problems getting it started? Have you experienced any flooding issues? How long do the seals last?

Usually no problems getting the rotary started, usually only problems getting me started. No problems with flooding, water key takes care of most of it. However, water does tend to collect in the first valve. Seals last for quite a long time, actually. Only need to be replaced in an overhaul with an interval of 5 years or so.

[ttyymmnn]

@chariotoflove
See reply

[12and35]

Owned two RX7s. Best thing to do is install a fuel pump cut off switch... works like a charm.

[MisterButtercup]

I wish at some point I owned a rotary. Still would like to pick one up, or at least be able to drive one

[Highlander]

@6mt_ftw I was telling my kid about 9,000 rpm driving in an RX-7 the other day. I would love a turbo II or older GSL in my collection. Some of the best handling and engaging cars I’ve ever driven.

[MM54]

Never had an issue starting my rx7, fires right up hot or cold, just use your brain and don't shut it off cold. Simple.