Hey, I'm new to the whole forum thing, but I have a 1980 RX-7 5speed with a 12A and I have a coolant leak somewhere. I've flushed the radiator and didn't notice anything weird there. I think that it's pooling right below the air cleaner. Any suggestions as to what that could be? I appreciate it!

-Lindz

 

Could be coming from your rad'. Check all the hoses leading from it. If you still cant find it, jack the car up and you should be able to see where its coming from.

 

oh and Welcome to the darkside

 

I checked both hoses and it's not coming from there. Thanks for the welcome. I could see where it was collecting this morning. I wouldn't know where to tell you where it was though.

 

I would suggest topping up the coolant and have someone sit inside with their foot on the gas, give her some rpms, so the water pump gets going, and the leak should show itself. I think. I'm usually wrong but thats the idea that popped into my head.

 

thanks! I'll give anything a shot at this point.

 

If your radiator and hoses are getting old (especially if they're original) just replace them. The radiator will plug up eventually anyways and hoses dry rot. I have a coolant leak on my SE and I've got shiny new parts waiting for her because I know they're 22 years old.

 

You mentioned it is pooling below the air cleaner, I would imagine it would be your intake gasket and ohrings, because coolant runs through the intake manifold.

 

Bingo^^. I had this same problem. Its the intake o rings, they are done. Replace the two o rings and a new intake manifold gasket and you will be all good. www.mazdatrix.com is where you can get the parts.

 

Minor thread jack:
I also have a tiny coolant leak in the same area, but its showing up on the plastic tray that fits between the manifold and the carb. Old upper radiator hose? Or is there something else I'm overlooking?

And as far as the original post I'd agree with everyone else, its probably in the intake O-rings. I swapped some cooked ones out when I put on my Sterling and removed all the emissions crap. While you're at it you might want to remove the shutter valve...

 

Bingo! The '84 had that.

 

Yeah it didn't look like it was leaking anywhere, but now I felt around the edge after driving it and there seems to be some coolant escaping from the backside.
Thanks

 

Hey! Thank you all so much! I'll go ahead and take a look at my o rings and let you guys know what's up!