smileyrx7

I'm very close to buying my new 7 I want to see what you guys think of the deal. Its an 1980 with 80000 miles on it. Decent interior and exterior, everything feels strong. The things that are wrong with it, theres a small oil leak, broken tach, and a squeaking sound during mid to high rpms not shure what the exact rpms because the tacks broken, think it might be the belt. Going to the mechanic tomarrow. The price 1000. Good deal or bad.

Where do you think is the most logical place for the leak to becoming from and how do I fix it.

alien_rx7

How do you know there is a leak? Is there a particular spot on the engine that is oily or the owner just says there must be a leak since it uses up oil?

The sound could be the fan belt but it could also be the water pump or air pump itself too.

Did you check for rust in the rear wheel wells and underneath the metal panels behind the seats? (I would say storage bins but can't recall if the 1980 had those or not).

How about rust on the frame up front where the steering components connect on the passenger side and also around the strut towers?

BTW, come out on some of the cruises. We need more 1st gen owner participation here in MO!!

alien_rx7

Oh, and be careful about the mechanics you bring the car to. Most don't know what a rotary engine is let alone how to work on one. If they tell you the head gasket is blown, run away!

smileyrx7

where should I take it to get check out then. The oil leak is just a tiny puddle under the engine. How do I check what part the skeaings coming from pull the throttal cable and put my ear to them. Yeah its my uncles car and its a block away from my house so I can check all that stuff. Oh yeah where and when are the cruises.

inittab

a 1000 sounds like a fine deal.

smileyrx7

You guys should get a kick out if this I went to the mechanic today and he said you can take a 7 to redline or the fins will break off. So I'm having a hard time finding a mechanic that knows what he's talking about. Rear wheel wells small amount of rust on the outside but he painted over it took a closer look at oil looks to becoming from oil pan. Still not quite shure. My friend told he's a big mazda fan he has a miata but dosen't know about 7 that the rotor seals can dry up and start to leak is this true where exactly are those at.

Forcus

Ah... don't listen to your friend(s).

Don't look at the outside of the wheelwells, look at the inside and poke at it (if you can). It's not what you can see, it's what you can't see. a 2x2" hole in mine turned to a 5x4" gaping crevase when i started poking around with a screwdriver.

If it runs fine, don't worry about the motor so much.

cosmicbang

That's too funny. "Fins" Where did you go to, a jet engine mechanic? This must be your car then.
(nice job on the fenders)

smileyrx7

found rx7 guru in town he helped me alot, we found more rust than I thought its on the driver side, side skirt. How much does a new panal cost and little on the frame.