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

Help With Leak of Death ID

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Old 06-24-03, 10:23 PM
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Help With Leak of Death ID

I am looking at an 83 with 125 K on the odo. There is a thin line of tar/oil on the top of the front rotor to front housing seal. No drip, just tarlike. I have seen runny leaks of death but does this sound like impending doom? Any help appreciated
Old 06-25-03, 02:14 AM
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i heard that the leaks coming from the top of the front rotor are relatively cheap and easy to fix ? not exaclty sure but
Old 06-25-03, 02:23 AM
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tar like stuff? are you sure it isnt gasket sealent?
Old 06-25-03, 01:35 PM
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or RTV silicone?
Old 06-25-03, 01:39 PM
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Sounds like the dowel seal might have gone bad (is going bad) at one time and someone sealed over it with the tar like stuff you mention. Maybe it is a piece of oil soaked bubble gum j/k. I may be wrong but to replace the dowel seals don't you have to take the engine apart?
Old 06-26-03, 11:53 AM
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Looks like hylomar. I think the engine is good. I am passing on the car though. I think its the wrong project for me at the time. Thanks for the help guys.
Old 06-26-03, 12:49 PM
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Ive got the same prob.....Ive had my car over a year no big deal....Use marine-tex, its kinda like jb-weld for boats...Itll stop the leak for good
Old 06-26-03, 03:25 PM
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Does that silicon junk stop a leak if you get the goofy pool of oil next to the "12a" lettering on the block?

I have that goofy leak....which doesnt seem to consume much oil. Only enough to pool in there. Where is that even leaking from? I can't trace it to any specific point.
Old 06-26-03, 07:59 PM
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its leaking from the dowel right there.....its really no big deal just nasty looking
Old 06-26-03, 09:02 PM
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I have that goofy leak....which doesnt seem to consume much oil. Only enough to pool in there. Where is that even leaking from? I can't trace it to any specific point.
Commonly a high mile 12a from a 83, 84, or 85 car unknown to the owner with the water/oil cooler which keeps the oil too hot with anything more then grandma type driving. Is very apparrent in high mile engines. I have a FC with 114,000+miles with no hint of oil clouds or leaks under the hood, however my first FB had the common oil cooler leaking on the heater hose and rotor control o-rings that were worn down badly causing oil clouds when letting off the gas at upper rpm. So in effect driving like we all do, will be cooking all the 0-rings/rubber that comes in contact with the oil. Rotor housing dowel pins o-rings, and the rotors oil o-rings will fail by becoming leaky and getting your engine bay dirty fast.

The only REAL-effective fix is to rebuild the engine with all new ones, and get a oil cooler from a 79-82 or GSL-SE or from a 86+ engine and driving it hard is not a problem anymore.

I personally hate when oil gets all over my engine bay attracting dirt&grime. Not to mention, a added fire hazard over time.

Also, if a previous overheated event occured from a previous owner, probably from the heater hose going to the water/oil cooler bursting from oil dripping on from that **** oil cooler's o-rings! I had this happen to me when I first got my car and leaked a lot of coolant out in no time! I luckily didn't get any apparrent warping the plates or rotor housings, but overheating for too long will easily make a mess of a rotary engine.
Old 06-27-03, 12:11 AM
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yeah oil leaks are annoying, i got that one that leaks from the bottom front rotor housing
Old 06-29-03, 08:05 PM
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Oops! The red 83 I got free has exactly that problem. I'm gonna try JB weld.

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