MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

So I went down to Seattle today and tried her out. Completely fell in love. Drove home and then spent half the night destroying my buddy who drives an '86 Z31 on the twisty back roads of Whatcom County.

One small concern: she has a small oil leak somewhere. I think it might just be the seal to her drain plug of the pan but then again maybe not. She smokes a bit out of the engine bay where oil has dripped onto the engine block. Its not bad, she runs strong, true and solid from idle to redline without a hiccup.
I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas.

Also, what oil should I put in her? Just to know before I buy a Hayne's manual.

Crazyk82

iTrader: (7)

Run 20-50w conventional. I run Castrol. And it takes 5 1/2 quarts. What year is it? Is there any oil pooled up by the 12A on the top of the motor to the left of the dip stick? If its not bad then everything should be fine. Every Rx7 I know of leaks a little.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

AND-THEY-BURN-OIL-BY-DESIGN! (oil leaks aside, separate issue)

heads up noobie- the engine actually meters oil (via small mechanical pump on front cover) to the carb, for rotor lubrication, so you will burn a quart every...??300-800mi? depending on condition of the engine. _Critical_ you figure out just how much _your_ engine burns so you can keep on top of it. This and poor water-coolant performance are No. 1 & 2 rotor-motor killers.

I also use good ol' Castrol GTX, faithfully changed every 3K mi (!). Unless you know recent service history from previous owner, change ALL fluids now and start out fresh.

Lots of great knowledge and assistance here. Welcome.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

orion84gsl

iTrader: (5)

Umm excuse me, I know your new around here, but if you ever talk about your car and we have yet to see it, pics are required, or you will be banned forever. FOREVER!!!! Well ok maybe not, but pics please.

OtakuRX

iTrader: (1)

Welcome, your going to love the car. Just keep an eye on your oil levels that's the biggest thing. Other things to concern yourself with:

-Learn about the mechanical oil metering pump, check it make sure it's working right
-Read about rats nest and the vac system, if you can get away with it there, you may want to remove it since it can be a pain if it starts to leak

I suggest doing a search on the dowel pin leak, it's a common issue with the 12a's. Mine leaked for years before I picked up a rebuilt motor and put the old one aside to build myself at a later date.

Oh and just so you know, these little cars are addicting haha, have fun.

mikeric

iTrader: (20)

To the OP, I suggest you do a search on oil as there are many desenting opinions. I personally use syntethic oils only as the research and data says that they are the best. However, there are a million opinions on this and the debate has been going on as long as this web site has been around. Most people will swear by what they use, but that is neither here not there. Research and form your own opinion.

Welcome to the forum and the rotary world!

Also, pick up a Vespa, bike, or other cheap form of trasportation. You will need it when your intake is in pieces on your lap and you need to run to the car parts store because you just realized you need a screw, washer, or hose. Or have a good friend with a working car.

Crazyk82

iTrader: (7)

True that is my opinion. The Stock owners manual does say thought to run either 20-50w or 20-40. But Ive never seen 20-40 in a store.

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

I'm a bike commuter by design. Plus I have several friends with working cars so I'm good to go.

Oh and thanks everyone for the welcome.
Pictures will be posted by the end of the day. I just want to wash/wax it first.

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

Oh and more info about the leak. The drip pools up underneath the carburetor.

craigcorx7

Check your Oil Metering Pump lines at carb.The plastic is probably brittle by now.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

sounds like the rubber end of the omp lines has swelled up and cracked and is starting to leak. call mazdatrix and order the new lines. they run about $30 for the set and can save your engine.

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

does sound like OMP lines, check your lines, make sure that's what is going on (although most likely) which means good news and bad news, good news is your OMP is working, bad news is, you're not getting all that oil inside the engine lol.

so either pick up the mazdatrix ones if you want original ****, or pick yourself up a few feet of 3/16" weedeater/lawnmower/dirtbike/fishtank- fuel/water line for less than 10 bucks, only downside is inside diameter is bigger so they drain faster, but as long as you put a bit of a slope to them it'll keep oil right at the top for every start up.

oh and welcome to the dark side.....post them pics up now! lol

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

Will I be ok for the next week until I can get the money to replace them? Or should I refrain from driving at all costs? How urgent is it?

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

depends on the leak. if its just a few drops, i'd go ahead and drive on it. if you're really concerned about it, start premixing. that is adding oil to the gas to help lubricate the rotor's seals. more about that here in the 1st gen FAQ:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=225649

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

This afternoon I'll post some pics of the leak as well as the car. See what you guys think.

Thanks

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

sounds good! will look forward to the pics!

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

Can I attach a picture from an offline source?

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

Her name is Finn



There's the oil on the block. I unthinkingly wiped off some of it before taking the picture.


She's spotless other than a few paint chips here and there and that oil leak.


Got a nice *** too.

blackdeath647

iTrader: (2)

its hard to tell from the pics where the oil leak is from...but really nice car great find.

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

Its hard to tell in real life where the leak is coming from. But I lucked out: I have a friend who's dad used to be a rotary mechanic and he said he'd take a look at it with me sometime in the next few days. He agreed that it's probably omp lines but wanted to make sure that my new baby didn't die on me. So either tonight or tomorrow night I figure out what is wrong with her.

But yeah her body is immaculate. I am completely 100% in love with everything about this car (except the smoke and oil).

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

looks really nice. chances are that if the omp lines or gasket isnt leaking, the source of the leak is a faulty front cover gasket. a common occurance but a fixable one. can be done in a day. requires engine removal to complete the process correctly but its worth it in the long haul.

dbssr1212

really clean find good luck with it

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

So I talked with the mechanic today. What he said was "You're engine is so ******* dirty no one would be able to tell!" (oops) Then he told me to cover my electronics and distributor, pressure wash the "whole ******' thing" and then use the clean block to pin-point where the leak is coming from. Got his approval too on how nice a car it is which was just nice to hear since he spent his late teens and 20's rebuilding the 12a. I'll keep you guys posted on this but I'm thinking it's not going to be a big deal in the end. YAY!

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

Mine doesn't.

To the OP: you got a real honey there. Treat her nice and she'll last you for ever. And your mechanic is right in a couple ways; a clean engine bay is not only easier to diagnose, it's also a lot more pleasant to work on when you have to.

MeCalledEvan

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I've now had her 3 days and I am completely in love. My friends and parents laugh at me that I've named her Finn and at how you have to idle her at start and idle/rev when I shut her down but I don't care. She's my baby. I can't wait until I get the money to work/tune her.

But I've already decided that Finn is my first car, she's also going to be my last. I am never getting rid of her. Ever.