Hey guys, I tried searching but couldn't come up with anything... So here goes..

I picked up an oil cap off another Mazda from the j/y , and put it on my 7 since mine was slightly cracked in the threads, no biggie. About 20 mins later, theres smoke coming up out of the left side of the engine bay (may have been wind). My first reaction was to look at the engine temp, it seemed normal. So, I parked the car, and opened the bay - white smoke coming out, mainly around the oil cap tube thing. I let the car cool down, and the steam stop. I also opened up the oil cap for more steam to flow out. I let the car sit for a good 45 mins before trying to start it again. When I tried to get it started, it hesitated a lot, but once it got going, it seemed to be running normal. BUT, then the temp guage started rising fast! So, i parked on the side of a main road in rush hour, pissing off many drivers, and steam blowing out of the engine bay again. I let the car sit, when i tried to turn it on, more hesitation, managed to get it home, and cool it down. My buddy noticed that when I floored the gas pedal with the engine off, and air cleaner off, the carb was letting off a lot of steam.

What is going on???? Is the oil cap a coincidence? And is it the carb or the engine? Anything else? Help!?!?

 

anyone out there that can help?

-edit, the last post went under the wrong user

 

Is it definitely steam? (does it smell like antifreeze?)
How's your coolant level?
How's your oil level?

 

The oil cap shouldn't have caused this problem. Did you happen to hear the engine "creaking" from overly heated-expansion while it was cooling down? If so, unfortunately, the engine waterjacket may have a fissure on the interior; allowing coolant to seep into the oil. Was the dipstick showing a milky oil?
Overheating a rotory can cause waterjacket-casting imperfections to develop a small fissure. If ALOT of white smoke pours out of the exhaust upon start-up, the coolant is accumulating in the engine; especially if it has sat overnight and has this result.
I suppose this symptom is similar to the white-smoke effect of a piston engine having a warped head.

 

It is definately steam, coolant and oil levels are fine. I didnt see anything unusual with the oil, but will check for milkiness tomorrow. I didnt hear creaking, but small pops while cooling. Its been sitting the last 6 hours, and its going to be like that for the rest of the night. I really have no idea whats wrong, though I was really hoping it was the oil cap...doubted it though.

On a side note - I get steam within 5-10 minutes of start up. It will hold an idle, but is very resistant when in gear, I need to have the gas down to keep it turning.

 

update - I checked the oil, it seems fine, not milky or anything.

 

Do I need a rebuild? or does it seem like something else?

*sighs*...no money

 

Theres got to be someone who knows whats going on...

 

If you're getting steam out of the oil filler itself I'd guess you need a rebuild.

But don't quote me on that.


I don't understand how you're getting steam but your fluid levels are ok.......

 

There's no point in jumping to the conclusing that "he needs a rebuild" if you don't know what the freakin problem is first. That would just be like throwing parts at a problem. This does seem kind of odd though, hopefully someone with some insight will chime in.

 

When I get back home, I will try turning it over. And if it starts steaming up again, I will take some pictures and post them. Could the radiator be clogged and causing this? or maybe the oil pump isnt getting the oil into the engine???

...running out of ideas

 

Okay, heres the pics I promised...

http://dfrost987.tripod.com/DSCF003.JPG
http://dfrost987.tripod.com/DSCF005.JPG
http://dfrost987.tripod.com/DSCF0008.JPG
http://dfrost987.tripod.com/DSCF0009.JPG

edit- you might have to copy and paste the links

 

gah...it put me as cootermcpooter again...

 

www.photobucket.com

good to host pics, tripod and geocities and sites like those don't work

they suck, and stuff

 

pressure test the coolant system. it requires some sort of adapter and a pressure pump. but basically you apply pressure and see if it bleeds off over a specific amount of time. if it does it means your leaking at some place in the system. though if it is that 'fissure' thing. then maybe it will only leak out when at operating temperature, once everything has expanded. if it is leaking this could also be the cause of your coolant gauge saying that its overheating. whenever you add pressure to a fluid it increases its boiling point. but then again you should see a slow loss of coolant. and if the level is checking out to be fine that wouldn't make sense.

water in the oil? burning off and producing steam.

i don't think i was of much help. i've never seen that happen on a piston engine, let alone a rotary.

i'm sorry for your pain.

 

Isn't the level of the coolant supposed to be different of when its at full running temperature and when the engine is cold? Because my coolant level in the overflow does not change, even when the car overheats.

I have also noticed that the choke does not release, even when the engine overheats...

 

Just a little question ... how long ago have you completely flushed your rad coolant system ? and I'm not talking bout just the rad, I'm talking about hooking it up to a machine that by-passes your system keeping in the old anti-freeze while inserting new one ? Cuz I had problems "sortof" like that a couple of months ago. It was -30 out there and 10-15 minutes after the car was running the temp. gauge was going sky high ! lol
And for what it's worth, I also can get "a bit" of white smoke inside the oil tube thingy right after shutting off the engine ... and in the car too. you do seem to have a lot, but maybe that's just because ur engine is overheating . I'd maybe check the coolant to see if it's still good. I know mine was soo crappy it had a hard time going threw the water pump so the engine heated up cuz of that .. I changed it and never had problems with it again .. cost me maybe 30 $ (Good thing I used to work in a mister lube and new the guys there mouhaha ) and it's AOK now

Just a little something to try !

 

hmm... I will definately look into that, I've had the car for three months now, so haven't flushed the rad.

I've been doing some mega-searching on the forum, and I'm starting to think that it could be the thermostat thats gone, causing it to overheat. So, in my mind, I am really hoping thats what it is due to cash restrictions.

On a sidenote, I'm taking the bus to school tomorrow

 

how much gas does the car have mine did taht when i was really really low on gas i got it to go about 15 miles then it jsut wouldnt start again or maybe water in the gas

 

Gas is half tank, so shouldn't be that. I picked up a new thermostat today, so thats my next step. I'll keep everyone updated.

Taking the bus to school blows...

 

That "steam" from the carb could be vapourized gas. I had that when I was having trouble starting the engine. But the engine was already warm and the thing was flooded. So some vaporized gas escaped through the carb. I saw the same thing when I removed the sparkplugs and cranked the engine over. White steam everywhere. I know it wasn't coolant either because there was no coolant in the system yet.

 

Hmmm... thats good to know - and almost a sign of relief. I am just praying for the new thermostat to solve everything. Do the thermostats die often in these cars? I know its a common problem, but yea...

Anyways, thanks to all that gave me some input, I will put the news up tomorrow whether good or bad.

 

I don't know if they die often, but its easy enough to change that you could change it every oil change, even though there is no need. It took me 10 min to change mine, and I didn't even know how to. I had never changed a thermostat in my life before that. But then again, I am very technically inclined and know A LOT about almost anything about cars (with the exception of carbs and distributors, which I am learning about real fast).

 

Okay, finally some advancements on the issue.

I changed the thermostat okay, no problems. BUT, when i was filling up the rad with the coolant/water mix, I heard fluid splashing on the floor. I look under the car to see a waterfall of coolant flowing down my garage floor. So, first thing I did was take my camera and take a pic of it. I can't get under the car right now until I get extensions for my ramps, so I couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

Anyways, heres the pic-



My question is, does that large hose carry coolant? And is that what appears to be leaking? or is it my engine?

The next thing is try to figure out why I didn't notice all my coolant on the ground whenever or wherever it let loose.

 

anyone?