kutukutu1

iTrader: (5)

hey guys, my engine just hit 200k and i changed the oil today because it was due to change, now when i got under the car i saw a small drop of coolant that drops every 25-30 seconds. now the drop comes down from the rear of the engine from where the tranny meets with the engine and it travels to my oil pan till it drops, all of this could be seen from the outside, and its smoking white smoke from the tail pipe so thats obvious that its coolant. now my question is is it an internal coolant seal or external? and does kit c from atkins rotary have those seals?

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Could be one of the coolant hoses.

Kentetsu

Good call Doc. Check hoses first, then the intake manifold (2 O-rings for coolant passages in there).

But if you've got white smoke coming out of the tail pipe, then that would indicate an internal seal issue. Run a search on Alumaseal, and you'll find my writeup on that product, how to use it, and my overall results (which have been outstanding).

Good luck!


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kutukutu1

iTrader: (5)

o dont think it is hoses because its all the way in the back and it does seem to come from the intake manifold and it runs down the engine, but what i am seeing is that it is smoking alot, like it looks like a factory chimney of smoke.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

the intake manifold has two o-rings in addition to the intake manifold gasket where it meets the engine. coolant flows through the intake manifold to aid in warmup of the intake and carb. often times the o-rings fail and need to be replaced. they will leak externally and drip onto the exhaust manifold.

kutukutu1

iTrader: (5)

hey guys i tried the alumaseal with no luck. the funny thing is that it only smokes really badly when its cold because when it warms up, it stops smoking. i dont think the alumaseal did anthing because today in the morning it still smoked like crazy. what do you think? rebuild or is it still the o rings in the intake?

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

I would replace the o-rings on the intake first (or you can block them with freeze plugs). Much easier (and cheaper) than doing a rebuild. If you have lots of white smoke coming out the back, it is either the intake o-rings or one of the internal coolant jacket o-rings.

My vote would be the intake o-rings if you are seeing an external drip in conjunction with the white smoke. Also, keep an eye on coolant level as you are burning it off. You don't want to run dry and burn up your engine.

dantheman

iTrader: (4)

+1 more for intake o-rings. That sounds exactly like what this would be.

74RX4

iTrader: (10)

Be sure to buy a new intake manifold gasket. You'll most likely need to replace it also. Be sure you get all the old gasket off. I use a wire wheel on a drill. Rear o-ring is under "shutter valve" in the picture.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Be careful if you use a wire wheel. I would use something softer (like a brass wheel) if I were going to do it. I've seen people go a little crazy with the wire wheel and tear up the aluminum in the process.

DivinDriver

iTrader: (15)

You need to maintain flatness if you want the gasket to be able to seal. On aluminum, even a gasket scraper can be risky. I use gasket stripper and scrubber pads, myself.

74RX4

iTrader: (10)

Good point. You do need to be careful if you use a wire wheel. Just enough to get the gasket off. Permatex makes a spray on gasket remover that I've used with varying results.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

Yes. Take it slow and easy. It is very tempting to break out the die grinder with the wire wheel, but you'll do more harm than good in most cases. It is amazing how hard and stuck those gaskets get. I helped a friend with his and we spent like 3hr picking away on one gasket on his GSL-SE. We used a scraper, Permatex stuff, and a razor blade to get the last few bits.

The scraper will gouge if you are not careful as mentioned above. We got it done with no damage, but it sure took a long time.

kutukutu1

iTrader: (5)

Thanks alot, where could i get the o rings and gasket? from a regular auto part?

BeenJaminJames

Most auto parts stores can get intake gasket kits for our cars shipped fairly quickly. The o-rings will come with the gaskets. However, my preferred method is to use freeze plugs (20mm I believe) in the rotor housings. Here in north Alabama it's warm enough not to need to heat the intake. If your car pretty much stays in Florida, I'd do the same. You can always take 'em back out if you move up north.

kutukutu1

iTrader: (5)

Thanks guys i finally got to pulling the manifold off today and yep, it was the o rings and gasket. The gasket was so soft that i ripped it off with my hand and the cooling holes were plugged with the quarters, i just put the o-rings and gasket and left them open. Well, voila the cra has more power than before, i got scared at first when i felt it pull so much.

i did find out that oil had been pooling up in the combustion chamber because of the coolant not letting the spark plug make a good spark, so i had a years worth of oil in the chamber that when i turned it on after being fixed and new spark plugs, it started leaking out of my leaky crappy exhaust.

Well, i love my 7 even more now, thanks guys