Starting the rex after 3 years in a garage

[Javiatrix]

Alright guys and gals,

Pretty much as above - she hasn't been touched, the battery will be deep discharged, covered in dust etc. In regular engines I've squirted a bit of oil down the bores before attempting a start after so long - is anything like this necessary for the rotary or can I stick a new battery in and turn the key? Are they more sensitive to petrol 'jellyfication', I.e. would it be a good idea to syphon the tank (or worse, the whole system) and replace with new fuel, or again, just turn the key and go?
Unfortunately she was full of fuel when confined to the garage...

What's the concensus?

Cheers in advance!

[Paul_13]

Sit in the car and push the accelator to the floor before starting, this cuts the fuel being injected on start up.
Crank it over a few times with the accelator down to get oil circulating

[Javiatrix]

Cheers Paul, shows how long I've been out of the game - I completely forgot about the old 'flooding fix' quirk, saves pulling leads out etc!

[79398]

Change the fuel

[Phil Bate]

Full of fuel is the best way to store it, I wouldn’t worry about that. As Paul said, accelerator down and two or three cranks of ten seconds, with a minute in between each for the starter to cool down, will get the oil flowing.

Presumably you will fit a new battery? (Edit - just reread that bit:))

[qwakers]

I wouldn’t worry about the fuel too much. When I resurrected my last mr2 it had been sat for 15 years. A bit of cranking and it started right up.

[warpc0il]

That 15 year old fuel was probably in better condition than 3 year old.

The current fuels "go off" much quicker than the old stuff used to do.

That said, it would certainly be worth trying with the existing fuel. If it runs then top up the tank with some super.

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[New Duke]

...but if it runs very rough or doesn't start at all, then I'd change the fuel as a first step.

Good luck starting it! If you can get someone to video it that would be a great thing to see.

[Phil Bate]

Don't expect too much drama! I revived mine the other day after being stood for two years. It started as if it had been used the day before

[Javiatrix]

Thanks everyone, so it's looking like a case of drop a new battery in, crank it over (with fag breaks of course), then cross my fingers and hope for the best
I'll get a video for sure.
Alas, the first place she has to go is a bodyshop due to some front o/s damage from when an uninsured driver slid into me in the snow back at the start of 2018 (hence the storage).
With the market for these cars sadly seeming to be starting to asymptote towards the lower figures, I'm also considering taking her to RR for a rebuild (currently 120,000 miles with about half that on the engine) for the final 5-10 year stretch of life

[nightfire10]

When you get it running get it compression tested just in case it's not too bad!

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[GraemeC]

My RX8 often sits for months in the garage (although hooked up to a CTek so no battery issues)

I just jump in and start her as normal - whether its been 3 days, 3 months or 3 years the oil will all have drained to the same place
Oil doesn't go off and doesn't evaporate. Provided all the pipework is ok and hasn't perished, you should be fine

[Javiatrix]

Initially bad news then - tried all the above, cranks over great, but not a sausage regarding ignition. However, it IS almost on empty so I'll go and 'try' to find some 97 and report back.

Keep ya posted!

[Ainmhidh]

My thought, if you've been garaged for 3 years, is that you probably haven't had all of the recalls done? (Check via gov MOT website)
If that's the case, depending on how far you plan to drive it, you may not want to brim-fill it, though that would help with a little crappy fuel in the tank... Maybe fill it and then take it for some fun times to use it up before going for recall work. (see this thread of joy and fun viewtopic.php?f=6&t=82349)

[Javiatrix]

It's as if I read your mind - just put 20 litres in, it's only cranking at the mo but once every ten seconds or so I can hear it trying to fire... Will stick at it!

Edit - so unfortunately there's no improvement after ten mins of (on and off) cranking. Very disheartening Looks like I'll be heading off to work on a down note tonight!

[Javiatrix]

Got it to idle for all of < 1 second... What you reckon guys, stick at it or give her a break?

[30405]

Have you tried the 20 brake pedal stomp reset?

[Javiatrix]

Just done the full reset and no change. Throttling to about 3/4 while cranking entices an idle, but it's very weak and rapidly collapses back to cranking!

[warpc0il]

I suspect that the throttle body may be sticking.

It should start without touching the throttle pedal, just hold down the clutch to reduce drag.

However, if the TB is sticky then it won't respond to the small inputs that the PCM is trying to make to fire-up and idle.

Alternatively it could just be that the old fuel was/is in the system, despite some fresh in the tank, and the plugs are now fouled.

[Javiatrix]

Thanks for the input mate - I'll have another starting session tomorrow, falling which I'll revert to your suggestions.

The last attempt did feel more promising, however!

https://streamable.com/yu8ujc

[Javiatrix]

Right, got the OBD2 plugged in today and looks like a sticking/inop throttle body motor.

https://ibb.co/DKSXBLX

Will report back!

[ChrisHolmes]

You may have a bird stuck in there that was looking for a butterfly!

[bigpete8]

Right, got the OBD2 plugged in today and looks like a sticking/inop throttle body motor.

https://ibb.co/DKSXBLX

Will report back!

Having swapped a throttle body its an easy Job - try boston rotary for 2nd hand one.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=16453

[Javiatrix]

I mean, technically it's still your car mate

[bigpete8]

It's not exactly the same realms as Trigger and his broom....


But swapping a few parts to keep her running is generally a good idea.

If they happen to be used ones then it usually works out cheaper and is more environmentally friendly.