TWiR 1986 S3 TWR

[KiwiDave]

Better results with an e fan that works properly but still getting temp spikes where I have to use the heater to bring the temp back down.

Temp sender still hasn't arrived but new radiator is next on the list as well as an aftermarket temp guage.


Fan install done, coolant all changed. Just before driving forward with a plastic drain tray full of coolant still under the car. The drain tray ended up jammed in the wheel arch. No plastic drain trays were harmed during this excercise. They are remarkably resilient

[DKWW2000]

I fitted the Rock radiator, not an exact fit as must drill a couple of holes but as near as you will get, my temp sits at 1/4 way up gauge & hardly moves after hard driving on stock fan.

http://www.rx7fb.com/viewtopic.php?f=23 ... 085#p48085

[KiwiDave]

Thanks Pete. Those rads have been out of stock at RockAuto for ages. OOS also at the manufacturer, Liland Global.

[KiwiDave]

Almost 300 miles covered last weekend. Temps still not completely settled but a reasonable improvement with a properly functioning e fan. Replacement temp sender should be here tomorrow and a new radiator sourced from eBay.

Cobwebs are well and truly banished.

[KiwiDave]

TWiR has been awarded a shiny new MOT. It actually ran out way back in March and I hadn't really noticed. The tester gave me some homework ... adjust a headlamp and fix a rear sway bar mounting issue



If you look at the red bushing, the mounting plate underneath is secured at the front with a bolt. The rear flat tab should be mounted in a slot, God only knows how I missed that and on both sides!! All fixed now.

TWiR decided to be a little brat though. Just after the braking effort test, she died and refused to start. This happened a few weeks ago while in my unit and I traced it back to the fuel pump. She started up after about 20 minutes so I thought I'd keep an eye on things.

Sure enough, it was the fuel pump again. Investigation time today. I had discounted a faulty earth as it has never died whilst driving, only when idling. Removed the back seat (eventually). There's a knack to it. The 12v connector has never been disturbed and the original factory tape is still in place.

So, lets take a look at the main suspect then


So that's getting swapped out for sure! Boat anchor material.

Although I replaced the fuel hoses on both ends on the filter a few years back, the hoses on both ends of the pump are likely original items.



So those are destined for the bin. I have a spare pump. It's a slightly different design (90 deg curved tails) and the mounting plate is slightly different as well. I've tested it and it works. It will do for now. More pics when I get it installed.

[KiwiDave]

Temps still not completely settled but a reasonable improvement with a properly functioning e fan. Replacement temp sender should be here tomorrow and a new radiator sourced from eBay.

Cobwebs are well and truly banished.

Update on the cooling issue. I ended up removing the factory rad again and flushing it twelve ways until next Tuesday. Guess what, it only bloody worked! Which is good for me as the replacement rad from eBay was actually the smaller S1/S2 item which is too small for my current e fan anyway and too small to keep the S3 fan shroud. Grrr is about all I can say politely

I will keep the ally rad anyway. It will come in handy if I decide to ditch the beehive and revert to a pendant mounted oil cooler.

[KiwiDave]

The suspect pump is finally out and it has seen better days



S3 pump



S1 / S2 pump



The earlier base uses the same mounting points. All that is required is to enlarge the three mounting holes to accept the thicker rubber insulating bushes from the S3 pump.

Almost ready for test fit and leak test. (this was before I enlarged the mounting holes).



It starts and runs, no leaks Just needs a proper shakedown now.

[ian65]

can't beat having a stash of spares... I wonder how much the pumps are from Mazda? The last one I bought from a Mazda main dealer was in 1988 and it was £110.00

[DKWW2000]

Good work Dave, thanks for the pictures, glad to see you are getting there

[KiwiDave]

I am getting there a little more, Pete. I usually post on the Facebook page so I've had to go back to my own posts on how to upload photos!

MOT time again hence the annual visit to our local testing station. The same guy sees the Rx every year and he spent more time than usual inspecting the underside.

The prize was another advisory free certificate and permission to rotor on for another year. Maybe a few upgrades if I get the time .....