My First Car = FB! Just one question now.
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My First Car = FB! Just one question now.
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.
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.
#3
RX HVN
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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
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
#4
My 7 is my girlfriend.
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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.
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The Rotorheaded Geek
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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.
-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.
#6
FB=OS Giken LSD
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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.
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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.
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.
#12
weak minds wear the crown
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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
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
#14
Have RX-7, will restore
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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
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=225649
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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.
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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).
But yeah her body is immaculate. I am completely 100% in love with everything about this car (except the smoke and oil).
#21
Have RX-7, will restore
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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.
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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!
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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.
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.