87 Engine trouble
 

Howdy. Im considering purchasing a RX7 from a salvage auction. I stopped in the city to check out the condition of the car. The body is immaculate, leather is beautiful, sun roof is shiney. No visable rust, suprisingly. However when the engine was started, it smoked. For the first few seconds it smoked horribly bad, then settled to a small constant smoking. Since we were not given more time in the lot, thats all I could assess. Bidding ends soon for it, and I need to get a bid in. However, I am a student with a small budget currently. Does the engine sound completly shot?

A friend of mine said it was likely due to poor Apex seals. What are the other options for this engine? And how much does a rebuild cost if thats the last option...

Thanks.

what color smoke?

If its blue then your burning oil. Which could mean your oil seals are going which would require a rebuild. Or maybe the oil injectors are shot and are just dumping a mass load of oil into the engine.

If its white smoke then its coolant which would require a rebuild as well to replace the oil seals. If it has been burning coolant for a long time there is a possibility the coolant has eaten away at the housings which would mean you would have to buy a replacement housing.

Don't bother with salvage titles.
Insurance is going to bite you in the ass.


-Ted

Isnt it possible to replace engine oil seals without having to do a complete rebuild? That would really hurt the pocket book.

ReTed, Insurance here isnt so bad. The only thing that costs anything is inspection when it gets to this province, since the RX7 is in another province I was traveling threw.

And if I must, where can I order an engine rebuild kit? I have a friend who is an RX 7 enthusiest. So between me and him we should be able to redo an engine.