1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

engine problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 03:09 PM
  #1  
jla28630's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
engine problem

ok im kinda new to the rotary but ive had my 82 rx7 12a for about 3 years now,its been acting up lately and now water is coming out of the bottom right spark plug hole what would cause that? is the housing cracked or what? id appreciate any help thanks
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 04:39 PM
  #2  
TheRX7Project's Avatar
Daily Beaten
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 592
Likes: 3
From: Milwaukee
D'OH sounds like it's time for a new one...

Is the water coming out of the plug hole or is it coming out of the housing? i.e. if you take the plug out does MORE water come out?

Something is definately cracked. Either the housing is cracked on the outside by the water jacket or on the inside and you're getting water in the peanut.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 07:09 PM
  #3  
FunK73's Avatar
Fighting Global Cooling
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 983
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Definitely something that will require an engine pull to fix. I can almost guarantee it. Id say buy a scrap 12a or something and rebuild it. It'll teach you a ton about your car and its surprisingly easy to do. If its a cracked housing, youve got some SERIOUS issues since they are no longer manufactured by Mazda. You'll have to try and get your hands on a decent second hand one or a refurb
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 10:24 PM
  #4  
3rd and final 7's Avatar
wheres the water goin?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 0
From: Nor Cal
i would check the intake manifold to engine o-rings b4 i decide to swap or rebuild the engine. its pretty easyyou can eithewr remove just the intake mani with out pulling the carb or the carb and the mani either way is going to take a lil time. once you have it off you can replace the gasket and the o-rings or you can replace the o-rings with freeze plugs.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:42 PM
  #5  
rxtasy3's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,574
Likes: 290
From: Spartanburg, SC
bad intake O rings causes an external water leak. water inside the engine is bad water seals. so it's time for a rebuild.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:49 PM
  #6  
kutukutu1's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 60
From: Southfield, MI
Originally Posted by rxtasy3
bad intake O rings causes an external water leak. water inside the engine is bad water seals. so it's time for a rebuild.
Like he said, time for a rebuild, water in the engine is the water seals, no doubt about it. Good luck
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2009 | 12:21 AM
  #7  
FunK73's Avatar
Fighting Global Cooling
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 983
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Originally Posted by 3rd and final 7
i would check the intake manifold to engine o-rings b4 i decide to swap or rebuild the engine. its pretty easyyou can eithewr remove just the intake mani with out pulling the carb or the carb and the mani either way is going to take a lil time. once you have it off you can replace the gasket and the o-rings or you can replace the o-rings with freeze plugs.
Isnt the intake on the complete opposite side of the engine from the spark plugs?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2009 | 01:00 AM
  #8  
Heath's Avatar
MAGNUM SE7EN
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC USA
Why yes, it is
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2009 | 05:03 AM
  #9  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
How much water are we talking about here? Is it running out of the spark plug hole? Or is it more like just a little moisture on the spark plug?

As long as its not gushing out, you might try some Alumaseal...

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/engine-coolant-seal-repair-maybe-750774/
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2009 | 02:05 PM
  #10  
jla28630's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
well at first it was just a little moisture on the plug, but i had it running then shut it off, it wouldnt crank back ,so i took the plugs out and water started running out the bottom left spark plug hole, turned it over a few times with plugs out till water stopped coming out, cleaned plugs put them back in and it cranked and run good drove down the road it did fine, got back shut it off and cranked back again, then nothing, if i take the plugs out ,turn it over, put them back in itll crank and run fine
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2009 | 03:05 PM
  #11  
DivinDriver's Avatar
1st-Class Engine Janitor
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,376
Likes: 28
From: Chino Hills, CA
Might not be a crack; could be just the sealing rubber or possibly some corrosion around the sealing rubber, if it's only enough to be fouling the plugs.

Try Ken's suggestion; if it doesn't work, then you'll need to tear down to find the problem, but it might not mean any hard-parts replacements.

There's a tiny-but-finite chance that it's the intake gasket; they can fail "inwards," letting water get sucked into the intake runners. Not common, though. Normally, once they go, they leak out, too.

Are your operating temeratures stable? Do you shoot water out of the overflow tank when you run for a while?

Also, test (or just replace) or replace your radiator cap; if it's not opening appropriately, the overpressure can make water bypass seals in all kinds of unhappy places, which usually happens after shutdown when pressure builds.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 12:23 PM
  #12  
jla28630's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
not sure about the temp, my temp gauge quit working, have to get a new one soon, but yea my overflow has been filling up and running over, ill try the alumiseal and see what happens. thanks to all
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2009 | 12:24 PM
  #13  
jla28630's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
oh and the radiatior cap
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
trickster
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
25
Jul 1, 2023 04:40 PM
alphawolff
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
17
Nov 17, 2015 05:57 PM
gtcd
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
30
Aug 19, 2015 02:44 AM
Wicked93gs
New Member RX-7 Technical
0
Aug 17, 2015 12:14 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:41 AM.