Today I go out to add a half quart of oil to my '85 12a and was totally shocked to find rust all up in the engine's oil funnel. Not the flaky kind, but a kind of gritty tanish colored rust. I wiped alot of it clear, but I'm sure some has fallen down into the engine. Is this bad or will the oil filter take care of it? Do I need to replace the funnel? I don't want anything to get screwed up. Thanx

 

Seems your crankcase is not ventilated correctly, condensation in the oil filler over time will cause it to rust.
A friend of mine has an oil filler that is very rusty, doesn't seem to be a major prob, but I would address the ventilation problem all the same.

Cheers Sue

 

If you dont have a rats nest/emissions earch for Peejay's posts on using a PCV valve or follow the end of the emissions tutorial to see how to route it. If you do have emissions, check the system. The filter should trap most what ever fell in there.

 

Some of Rob Golden's followers simply drill a 1/4" or so hole in the oil filler cap. Others install a 90º street (elbow) fitting to supposedly prevent dust from falling directly into the hole. Either way, the highest point in the crankcase is the hole which allows the steam to escape a little easier if you don't run a PCV valve. Thoughts?

 

 

I think you want a bit of vacuum to draw the crud out, hence the use of the purge valve (rats nest removal tutorial) or PCV (peejay method).

Edit: nice avatar, jeff. But aren't we all underfunded?

 

I suppose you could connect a hose from the street fitting to the air cleaner lid. It ought to be good for a little vacuum.

We may all be underfunded, but at least you guys get to drive the best generation of RX-7 ever made. I get to drive the old school Mazda stuff.