I don't know much about rotaries and am curious if the shop I took my car to is screwing me over, or if they are legit.

Yesterday I was out on the highway having some fun... and at about 6500rpm in 4th gear I started spewing coolant smoke. The car didn't loose any power or behave out of the ordinary at all, minus the cloud of white smoke following me. I was only a mile or two from the shop I've taken to in the past so I very gingerly drove there. Today he called me back and said the timing seal blew and it will cost about $600 to repair. Is this a real problem? or did I just break a radiator hose or something?

 

Timing seal,Huh? LMAO

Get the car out of thAT SHOP asap!

Get it home and inspect it yourself.

 

^ Ya Rotarys do not have timing seals. That mechanic has no idea about rotarys. My advice, take it to a reputable shop in your area that has experience on rotarys. You might post in the NorthWest section to find one in your area. Also FYI if he meant the coolant pump housing wich might be where he thinks it is, and looks like a timing cover or seal. It should not cost anywhere near $600. If you need help dignosing or fixing the problem yourself this forum is a great resorce. Good luck.

 

ok, I called him back this morning and asked him to clarify what was going on. He said a gasket of some sort behind the timing cover. I think he may have said water pump gasket. Does that make any more sense?

 

There is a gasket that is between the water pump housing and that block and their is a water pump to housing gasket also.

Their is no "Timing" cover, it is a front cover for the oil pump and the oil metering pump and water cannot leak from there.

Also the water pump may be leaking.


You might want to go down there and have him show you exactly where it is leaking and take pictures so we can advise you.

For $600.00 I will personally drive up there and fix the water pump and or water pump housing gasket. :-)

 

It is a coolant seal. An experienced rotary mechanic could tear down the engine and rebuild with just a soft seal kit if lucky. You gotta find a veteran!!!

 

I believe someone is taking someone for a ride here.

 

I believe an mechanic unfamiliar with a rotary is giving a diagnosis thinking a coolant seal would be as easy and simple as a head gasket perhaps...

 

Roflmao!!!