i bought a 85 gs last sunday that would run, but wouldnt start. it turns out there was a wire disconnected on the starter. i fixed that this afternoon the went for a drive. when i got home i smelled coolant, so i popped the hood and it was everywhere. i cant find where its coming from, but it looks like its coming from the oil cooler area. i drove the car home last sunday 40 miles with no leak. i cleaned the coolant off and drove down the road again and it didnt leak. im going to go for another drive to see what happens. i hope its not coolant seals in the engine. im going to be pissed

 

There are two o-rings in the oil cooler that go bad. The oil cooler is just under the oil filter. Also check the oil cooler hoses. Once they get hot, they don't last very long. Whatever you do, make sure not to overheat the engine. The aluminum rotor housing don't like heat and they can warp when the engine overheats. I found out the hard way.

 

i put about 25 more miles on it with no leak, but i never brought it above 4000 rpm. ill check out those o rings.

 

Here are threads about the oil cooler o-rings.

Post #28 has pictures.
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/new-rx7-owner-lots-s-820438/

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/last-minute-tips-needed-o-ring-change-823911/

Check the heater hoses under the oil cooler. When oil leaks on them they split and leak.

 

it seems like that guy just had an oil leak. are there coolant o rings in there too?

 

when i got my SE it had coolant everywhere, haha it turned out to be a completely dead waterpump. replaced the waterpump and have been driving it hard ever since

 

No coolant o-rings, but there are heater hoses which connect to the block directly under the oil cooler. These often soften and split. When they split a small hole forms and tends to spray the coolant all over.

 

ok. im about to tear into it and see what i can find. there is a sensor next to the oil pressure sensor. is that the coolant temp sensor? is there and way coolant could blow through it? it has had a green ring around the wire even after all the other coolant has burnt off.

 

Small spark plug-like sensor next to the pressure sensor is the water temperature sensor. Water could leak from there, but I doubt it. More likely from the heater hoses in that same area.

 

I'm not sure what I was smoking. The part about the o-rings is wrong on my part. These would not cause a water leak.

 

i got the rats nest out, but it started raining and i ran out of time to check over the heater hoses. there might be one that looks like it was repaired with electrical tape and another peice of hose. thats going to be where i start tommorow. thanks for the help so far. i appreciate it.

 

i found my leak. there was a hose that was ripped where the clamp pinches it down. i had to buy a simmilar hose and trim it, but i think i got it all fixed up! thanks