today i started my car after it was sitting for over a week and some white smoke came out of the exhaust for about 5 seconds. i think that white smoke is burning coolant but im not 100 percent sure. is this true? also, i have been experiencing some slight overheating problems lately. are my water seals bad?

 

Sounds like oil was just burning off from it leaking through the seals. Open your radiator and watch for bubbles.

 

If it stops that quick it may be nothing to worry about. However, ANY overheating problem on these engines isint slight! FIX IT NOW! Youl kick yourself in the *** later if you dont. Trust me.

 

If it smells sweet, it is coolant.

 

is white smoke oil or coolant?

lol, ive been trying to figure it out for a while. i think it might be the fan but im not sure yet.

 

I ran mine all spring and summer without a fan, it only heated up if i sat and idled for around 10 minutes. Look elsewhere than the fan.

 

White= coolant
blue= oil
black= over rich (fuel)

Details/symptoms on the overheating?

 

the "smoke" you witnessed coming out of your car was most likely just steam from water that has condensed in your exhaust system over the last week or so.

 

oh ok, thanks.

rx7 carl, read my other post i just made

 

There are water/coolant passages that go thru the intake manifold. So the manifold is attached to the engine with a gasket and two "O" rings to seal the passages. These just about disintigrate after twenty years, and the result is the pressurized coolant leaking into the engine. It will get worse.
The gasket set is available at RB for about 5-7 bucks, I think, and it's a bitch to keep those damn "O" rings in place while putting the manifold back on. Use KY jelly, not petroleum jelly to keep them in place. People always suggest Vaseline to hold them there, but petrolium jelly will soften the rubber after a while.

It's your initiation. Everyone getting an Rx-7 that has'nt had the intake manifold gasket done will need the KY!

 

If your overheating than have a backflush done on your coolant system. That will usally make a dramit difference. Also, I'm fairly new with rotaries but the thermostate may need to be changed as well( if they have them: I'v found they don't have a lot of things piston engines don't have.

 

yea i already changed the thermostat too. my friend has a pressure washer, do u think if i used that it would help? are there any chemicals i can buy to mix with water that would dissolve the buildup in the rad?

 

You can use that stuff called ' purple power' degreaser.
stuff works awesome.

 

Wheres the details? When does it run too warm? All the time? Sitting in traffic? Highway only????????????