Hi everyone! This is my first post. I own two first gen Rx7s, one a 1984 GSL-SE with manual transmission, the other a 1983 GSL-SE with automatic transmission.

The problem I'm having is that the one with manual trans. has started to smell really funny when it gets warmed up. It's sort of a chemical smell, hard to describe. A friend of mine said it was the clutch. I haven't had any problems shifting so the clutch seems unlikely. Anyway, has anyone ever heard of this and if it is the clutch, how long have I got to get it into the shop?

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum.
You second car listed is a GSL, they did not make a Se in 83 and 83's never came with Automatics.

As far as the smell, you need to inspect the engine/trans area for oil leaks. Possible that you have oil getting onto the exhaust and burning. The clutch will have distinct smell of it's own and then if it's that gone the clutch will slip. The simple test for clutch slipage besides the obvious is to come to stop put the trans in 5th gear. Attempt to take off, if the car starts moving forward and does not die then the clutch is fryed. Otherwise you will have symptons of slippage under hard acceleration.

 

If the smell is from the clutch, it will be a rather stinky odor. Only way a clutch starts to stink, is from slipping. This causes a build up of heat, and can damage the flywheel, leading to higher repair costs, or worse. If the flywheel gets too hot, it can shatter. That can not only be an expensive part to replace, but can also lead to major damage to the trans and car.

 

Hi Rx7doctor,

Thank you so much for the info. I'll go try the test and see what happens. It doesn't smell like engine oil; it's a very distinct smell. The clutch works okay but I sure don't want to get stranded. What will happen? Will I just be unable to shift gears when it finally goes? Should I chance driving it into the shop?

With regard to the '83... I bought it in '96. I was told that it was one of only 7 Rx7's made of that model. It's called a GSL_SE Targa, and it is loaded. I can assure you it's automatic trans, a 1983, very rare. I had it appraised it '96... they appraised it at $15,000.00. It's in mint condition. It also has a 4-spoke steering wheel in brown (same as the interior colour - car is gold) which I've been told is unheard of too. I have checked John Ball's Rx7 book and he states they don't exist either. But I've got one!

 

Thanks Rogue Wulff,

Yeah, it's an odd smell and it starts to do it after about ten minutes on the road. Scares me. I guess I'm looking at a $500.00 bill here in the next little while. Sigh....

 

Pictures.

 

You probably have what is called the Le model. post up some pics of the car when you get a chance.

As far as the smell is it a sweet smell? Check your coolant level and look for drips under the car. Check all hose connnections and at the front where the fan bolt sto the motor for the possibility of water pump leakage.
If not back to regular oil leaks. The ? is how long have you owned the car and how long as the smell been going on. Did it start after an oil change or work was done to it.
Also check you oil level. Do the test that i posted for the clutch and also see if when at highway speeds in 4th or 5th gear and you accelerate hard if the clutch slips, meaning the engine revs but it takes time for the engine to regain power. It could be the start of a oil leak that is getting onto the clutch disc if you do not have the above symptons.

 

A slipping clutch will smell just like burning brakes, if you've ever smelled that. I might be possible that you have fluid leaking onto the clutch disc, but that would cause slippage too and you state that the clutch is working fine. Another possibility is that the clutch is always slipping just enough to cause it to heat up. You aren't by any chance resting your foot on the peddle as you drive, are you? That would be bad. Anyway, this is probably something that you should have checked out. But do yourself a favor, and let us know what they say about it before you agree to any repairs. We love keeping these guys in line!

 

I'm assuming you're wanting pictures of the '83 car LOL!

I don't drive it because I want to keep the mileage low, so it's in a rented garage here in Calgary. I will try and get pictures if you like. I have regular pictures but no scanner. I have a digital camera, but this means a trip to the rented garage, and I don't have reliable transportation at the moment, which is why I posted in the first place LOL!

So, stay tuned. It may take me a few weeks, depending on the backlog of cars needing repair at the shop.

 

If you do the tests i have stated and the clutch is not slipping the car is reliable. Even if it's started to slip alittle it takes awhile before it will fail. Especially if you are driving it conservately.

 

I thought all 83 LE had a 5 speed? I know they were all silver with red interior, and it was stated as having brown interior, gold exterior.
2 questions about the 83. Carbed 12a, or EGI 13b? Auto have overdrive?
It could be either a special package from a dealer, or a prototype '84. The 4 spoke wheel was common from 79-83.

 

I will definitely post the diagnosis when I get it. I called around a couple of shops and the prices for new clutches (because that's what I thought the problem was according to my friend, who's not a mechanic) varies dramatically. The car had a tune-up around February. The engine is really good, low mileage, and runs very smoothly. The brakes might be getting a bit spotty so I'll check for leaks. I'm not much of a mechanic LOL! I do tend to ride the clutch sometimes and I use it creatively, to get more power out of the car, etc. I've had this car since February 2003 and it's been a pretty reliable little car. The body is in bad shape but the engine's great.

 

I was told by the seller that it was a prototype, being marketed as a 'ladies car' (hence the auto trans, I guess). It's fuel-injection, 13b, I don't know about overdrive, but I don't think so. The other thing about it is it burns rubber in third gear, it's very quick! I was always under the assumption that manual trans was faster, but not this time. I think this one could out race my '84 with manual trans.

 

Does the interior look similar to the 84, or totally different? the interior was completely changed between the 2 years.
As for the auto O/D, it would have a switch located right by the selector. I have never seen an actual '83 with a FI 13b from the factory, but it would not surprise me about it being a prototype. Although, few true prototype cars are ever actually sold to the public.......
The SE is more of a "Ladies car", due to the lack of choke, and simpler operation that is inherient with FI, along with all the power accesories.

 

Rogue, Se being a ladies car.lol.
Gilliangirl, on your 83 doe sit have the same wheels as the Se?

 

There's no choke on either the '83 or '84, but my old 1979 12A had a choke (may he rest in peace )

The interior has similarities to the '84 but also has some things I haven't seen before on the dash (please don't ask me to itemize as I haven't been out to the garage in awhile and I can't recall off the top of my head LOL ) It definitely does not have a button with O/D near the selector. It has a fancy-schmancy stereo cassette that was seen as top of the line in it's day. I'll try and get pics up in the next few weeks. It's a beautiful little car and I was lucky to find it.

Rx7doctor, are you still there? I'm running outside to do the 5th gear-start test, but the car is parked on a hill, nose pointing up, so will that give a false test result (because it's going to stall for sure)?

 

if it is teh clutch you can get a new pp, t.o. bearing, and disc for like 150 u.s. dollas from http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icatalog/rx/0061.html

 

I was just repeating what the owner had posted.
It is actually a "Ladies car" in a few aspects. That does not mean in a bad way. Men like them too, but mainly for the higher HP/TQ from the 13b, and other well documented advantages of the SE.

 

I don't recommend doing the test on a hill because of the following reasons. 1) if the clutch is slipping you are going to roll backwards, and if it is not you will stall. Any way you see it both of the conditions when on a hill are not safe. But if you do this on a hill the test is still valid if it does not engage but the engine just revs telling you that the disc is slipping.

 

Well, I just took it around the block, tested it on level ground. I was able to move forward in 5th gear. By the time the car got to a speed where I'd be putting it into 2nd gear, it started to sputter a bit. I guess that's a bad sign, huh....

 

Well if you able to get the car moving in 5th gear then the clutch is on it's way out. There should be all indications of a burning smell also.

 

No burning smell THIS TIME but I didn't have it out all that long. How much time do I have left, can you estimate? Is it safe to drive into the shop or should it be towed?

Thank you for all your help...

 

There is no way to really know how long a slipping clutch will hold up. Driving it easy, it could last quite a while. One good hard run could also kill it totally.
I'd see about taking it to a shop, and have them check it out. You may need a new clutch, or it may only be something real simple.
Brakes that are dragging will have the same smell as a slipping clutch. A foul, burnt smell. This can also be caused from something getting against the exhaust.

 

This is confusing. If you the clutch was slipping enought to let it take off in 5th gear without stalling that thing should stink badly. Once you shifted back to 2nd then it should of slipped even more because of it being heated up. I'm confused?

You be able to get it to a shop with no problem.

 

Dont drive it, because you'll eventually break down and possibly end up in a bad situation(like going up hill or something). Since you know its bad, just try to clean things up as much as you can, as clean engines and parts are usually easier to deal with then something with an inch of grease on it.