When I picked up my 1980 RX7, I drove it on the highway and in the city for about 50 km before I arrived home. It ran perfect the whole way. When I got home I checked the oil (should have checked it before the drive - duh!). The oil dip stick showed that it was on the add line, and not empty. I was wondering if this would have caused any damage to my perfect running engine. Thanks in advance!

Tommaso

 

it could. i suggest adding oil.
rotary engines greatly depend on their oil for lubrication and cooling.

i'd try and be careful when it comes to the whole oil issues.

 

Remember these engines consume oil. Check your level everytime you stop at the gas station as a rule of thumb. Yoiu definitely don't wanna run too low on oil with these engines.

 

Would regular Castrol 10W40 be okay to use?

Tommaso

 

Yes, switch to a 10W30 for cold weather. Unless the low oil came on I wouldn't worry about damage, you were still showing on the dipstick.

 

I run 10w30 year round and everything runs great with it, as long as oil is on the stick you're fine, don't worry about it.

 

Thanks, that makes me feel much better! I want the car to run good so it will give me more of an incentive to fix it. I would fix the rust anyways, but it makes me feel like i'm getting closer to having her the way I want it. Thanks again!

Tommaso

 

Oh ya, I forgot to ask: How much oil will I need to add if she reads right on the add line?

Tommaso

 

one quart

 

Thanks!

Tommaso

 

The light comes on at exactly 2 quarts low.

 

Even when the light comes on,there is enough oil for the engine to run.....its not like a low oil pressure light,which is a death sentence usually.

Remember,the low oil light is the oil LEVEL,not oil pressure.The only detriment to running with low oil level is an increase in oil temps due to reduced volume,and the possibility of losing oil pressure if you start thrashing the oil around and cornering hard......in which case you deserve to blow your engine.

Just keep a spare quart or two of 10W30 in the back,and top her off whenever the level nears the bottom of the stick's "run" range.Its not good practice to wait for the low oil light,but it wont kill anything if you do once in a while....

 

Yeah it'll be fine. I usually change the oil when it hits "low" on the stick. That's exactly 2 quarts down. I never get a low oil light but I can usually tell when the oil pressure seems low at cruising. Juts keep an eye on it. It's also okay to run full synthetic if you wish. I have with no problems