About a week ago my 88 RX-7 overheated on the way home from work. I quickly pulled over, let it cool down, checked and refilled the coolant and started for home. The car was running very smooth but overheated again. I repeated the procedure and got the car home without any further problems. The next day, I replaced the thermostat and as I was adding coolant noticed the heater hose below the oil filter was split. I fixed that, refilled the coolant and tried to start the car but it wouldn't start? It cranked, sputtered but wouldn't fire up. I did the unflooding procedure, it started and I drove it around for a few minutes and when it didn't overheat I assumed everything was fine. The car hasn't started since. My next assumption was that it blew the engine either just before, or just after it overheated. But if that's the case why would it run so well when I could get it to start? This car isn't my everyday driver so it isn't vital that I ever get it started, my curiosity has the best of me though. Any ideas? Feel free to rip me for driving it after it overheated, I knew that was a mistake, but since I was only gambling $300 I took the chance.

Gerard

 

yep time to do the ole compression test and check to see if there is oil in the coolant and coolant on the oil.

I'd try replacing the plugs as well.. chances are that they are burnt.

 

even a blown engine will start by adding ATF in the spark plug holes
Or sometimes theres a stuck seal and the ATF will fix it
Most likely the spark plugs got wet to many times and fouled out

You need new water seals for sure

 

whats involved with putting in new water seals??? is it a total engine rebuild? and is it worth replacing all the seals while the water seals are being done??

 

There isn't any oil in the coolant, or coolant in the oil. That was the one positive. I can see that the plugs we use in the RX-7's look different, but do they react different to being fouled? If I remember correctly we can use a regular compression tester to check compression on our cars. We just check for three equal bounces of the needle, right?

Gerard

 

Gerard,

I may be able to help. You may have to wait until Tuesday eve..
I will be over on that side o town tuesday nite.

If the plugs are wet, replace them. You cannot clean and reuse them. A compression test will tell alot.

Don't use new plugs, if possible, with the ATF trick, you will foul them.

PM me with the results and/or questions.

Mike

 

maybe something important electronics-wise got messed up by the leaking heater hose?