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

Oil Drip ??

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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 07:39 AM
  #1  
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GA Oil Drip ??

I hate to even ask this but I left the house this morning and the wife called to tell me that there is a little spot of oil in the garage from wherre the 7 was parked.. I cnnot look at it here at work but was wanting to get a feeling where these car leak from the most..

Just trying to get an Idea so I will know where to start to look at.. I know it could be many of things... I just don't know what is the most common.. Drian plug gasket???
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:43 AM
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In order of descending pain to repair (others; feel free to copy and extend):

Accidental spills while filling
Drain plug
Oil filter
Oil cooler line fittings
Oil filter pedestal o-rings
Oil pan gasket
Oil cooler line fitting fracture from debris/vibration
Rear main seal (can be replaced with engine in car, in theory)
Front main seal (pretty much requires engine pull to do properly)
The Dreaded Dowel-Pin Leak between housing sections (usually requires rebuild to stop permanently)
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 03:08 PM
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agree with divin driver. Most likely oil pan gasket, easy job and not to expensive, also check gasket for oil heat sensor. lots of 8mm bolts, dnt over torqe and while in there its a good idea to check for internal damage. takes about an hour...good luck and happy wrenchn

ps. gasket costs 40-50 bucks
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 03:25 PM
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all sum'd up by divin...good luck and happ trails
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 03:39 PM
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Oops, forgot one:

Originally Posted by DivinDriver
Accidental spills while filling
Drain plug
Oil filter
Oil Level Sensor & seal (on the side of the oil pan, down low, driver side)
Oil cooler line fittings
Oil filter pedestal o-rings
Oil pan gasket
Oil cooler line fitting fracture from debris/vibration
Rear main seal (can be replaced with engine in car, in theory)
Front main seal (pretty much requires engine pull to do properly)
The Dreaded Dowel-Pin Leak between housing sections (usually requires rebuild to stop permanently)
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 03:43 PM
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OMP also a possibility, but most likely the oil pan gasket, drain plug, or oil cooler fittings.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 03:53 PM
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http://www.banzai-racing.com/product..._pan_brace.htm
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Banzai-Racing
That come with the gasket also?

I would assume this can be done in the car also... At least I hope so...
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 04:17 PM
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Happened to me and it was one of the omp lines that had cracked. Check this real soo or you may loose the engine! I have also had a leak from where an oil line returned into the engine, I believe, caused by a copper seal ring. If you check a parts breakdown of the lubrication system you will find it.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 05:49 PM
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Updated:
Accidental spills while filling
Drain plug
Oil filter
Oil Metering Pump (OMP) lines cracked, or just not sealing well
Oil Level Sensor & seal (on the side of the oil pan, down low, driver side)
Oil cooler line fittings
Oil filter pedestal o-rings
OMP Flange Gasket or internal seals
Oil pan gasket
Oil cooler line fitting fracture from debris/vibration
Rear main seal (can be replaced with engine in car, in theory)
Front main seal (pretty much requires engine pull to do properly)
The Dreaded Dowel-Pin Leak between housing sections (usually requires rebuild to stop permanently)
What helps most is determining visually what area of the engine the oil is originating from; eliminates 80% of the list, usually. Remember that leaked oil can travel along frames and pans before dripping off.
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 05:56 PM
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Great help guys... It is almost center of th emotor... Pan is wet all around it athe flange.. I will have to get it up I guess to see about the lines and the sensor.. I am 6' 1" and 220lbs.. Not easy for me to get under it..

It also has a gas smell to it... Not the oil but the car itself... I know carb cars do an extent but this seeps into the house from the garage and I have it on the other side trying to keep the smell out of the house,,

Those oil solutions should be a sticky under FAQ...

Will mobile 1 hurt anything running it? I have a friend that can get it for the same price of dino oil.. If it will work good in my rotor motor I will use it,
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Old Aug 18, 2009 | 09:58 PM
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Always use 20w50ish whatever you do. The gas smell is probably unrelated. Did you find where it was leaking from? The oil pan isnt really much of a clue since most of these leaks will run down the motor onto the pan anyways. Is there any oil on the sides of the motor or the dreaded (Ive had it, twice) oil by "12A" on the housings?
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 08:49 AM
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I was looking on Mazdatrix for the OMP lines and did nto see them.. I have decided to replace the oil pan gasket, the drain plug gasket, the OMP gasket and the OMP lines along with the oil level sensore gasket/waher...

I figure the car being 30 years old it is time for these anyways..

Any idea on where to get the OMP lines? I am also doing the bushings in the shifter while I am working on it.. . It will be a full weekend I guess when I do it..
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 08:52 AM
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OMP lines near the bottom of the page: http://www.mazdatrix.com/b62.htm
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 08:59 AM
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From: alabamer
Twisted.........how much I envy you!!.....your life must really great...... if you can concern yourself with a tiny drop of oil from a 30 y o car.

OMP lines.....you can match up the ID at an auto parts store and use rubber tubing......but that isn't your style.

My OEM engine leaked oil from the front oil seal from 1993 to 2004. It kept the undersides very clean and rust free. I did check the the exhaust and heat shields yearly for build up because of the fire hazard.
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 09:53 AM
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Where do these cars leak most? Anywhere that contains fluid.
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 12:36 PM
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Oil drip

Think about what you may have replaced or fixed recently...Always a good place to start. My 12a sprang an oil pan gasket @ 189,000 with nothing else related being fixed/repaired.
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Old Aug 19, 2009 | 09:48 PM
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Ive been having a drip of oil every now and then in my shop where the RX7 is. I just replaced the oil level sensor gasket as it is dripping out of that area. Sucks though, it didn't fix the problem. It still drips a few drops from the bottom of it. Hmmmm.
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Old Aug 20, 2009 | 01:23 AM
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Ummm... welcome to the joys of owning an RX7!

After 25-30 years, you can expect it will leak oil and smell like gas - it's part of the rotary allure.
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Old Aug 20, 2009 | 07:24 AM
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Originally Posted by TwistedOne
That come with the gasket also?

I would assume this can be done in the car also... At least I hope so...
We recommend not using a gasket, it actually causes leaks when overtightened and when it drys out with age.

Yes, the SA/FB oil pan is very easy to get to while the engine is in the car, there is literally nothing in the way unlike the FC and FD
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Old Aug 22, 2009 | 12:05 PM
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An RX-7 that leaks is not necessarily a given. I have an 85 GSL-SE that has 134k miles on it and has "zero" leaks. Preventive and scheduled maintenance along with timely repair/replacement of defective parts will eliminate most if not all leaks.
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Old Aug 22, 2009 | 06:33 PM
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If you have a FMOC, you should check the seal around the drain plug on the bottom of it (maybe it's only the FC FMOC that has the drain plug, anywho). I just replaced all my gaskets for my FMOC lines, and now it's leaking out of that seal.

But the first place I'd check would be the oil pan gasket. Common leak.
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