Hi,

Last night I just bought an 88 turbo II in rough condition. It seemed like a good deal to me $600 everything is there but the only problem is it doesn't run right. Im not new to rotaries whereas I also have had a 1983 for about a year now, i just decide I need some more speed and room in the car so i decide to join you guys with the 2nd gens. Anyways, the problem is that when it starts running all of the coolant from the radiator goes to the over flow tank.. Im thinking something might be blocked and its not allowing the coolant to the engine? ...I have no clue..any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Sounds like a blocked coolant passage to me. What does the temp gague read? Probally need to rebuild the engine. Good thing you got the car for cheap, cuz rebuilds average about $1200...

 

Bad water seals! Don't run it anymore. You will only cause more damage resulting in higher repair costs. Take out the motor and rebuid it before you ruin it. If everything else is in good running order then you found a gem buddy.

P.S. If it turns out to be a blockage in the coolant system you may come back and laugh and point fingers at me all day.

 

Take off the radiator cap when cold and crank it up. If coolant is bubbling out, then the engine is 98% shot. Check the thermostat by pulling and placing in water on a stove and heating it. You might want to flush the radiator and see about getting it pressure checked.

 

thanks for you replies, there is some coolant that appear to leak out the top of the radiator. Any checks i can do on the cooling system before I rip the engine out, it has 115k on it? alot for a tII?

 

Also, i haven't even touched it myself this is what i saw on it last night and from what the dealer told me, i just figured i would get the car before someone else did. Its the only t II i have seen in new england ever.
Also the engine being shot would be worst case even if it is i could get it rebuilt and ported...anyways for 600$ i figure the hood, mirrors, rims, and seats would be worth something to someone.

What would you all recommend i do first thing when i get home from work

Thanks again

 

Deffinitely check it out before you go ripping out the motor. I was just trying to scare you a little so you didn't just go on driving and not worring about it. Usually when a rotary starts to fill up the overflow tank and doesn't suck it back in when cooled; it is bad water seals. Try to do some tests on the system while at home. You can run the car as long as it does not overheat. So you have about 5-10 minutes of test time before you have to shut down. If your car does not overheat then maybe your seals are just starting to go , and you may be able to get by for a short time. But I would have it checked out best you can. Even if you don't plan on rebuilding that particular motor you still want to save the turbo from damage.

 

drain the coolant from the radiator and pull the upper and lower radiator hoses off. Make sure both are not blocked or collapsed. Look through the heater hoses (below and lef of the oil filter) make sure it's not collapsed and blocked, check miscellaneous coolant hoses (not sure where else) make sure they're not blocked or collapsed. Then reconnect everything and flush the whole system (engine and radiator). If you pull the thermostat, water should flow in one hose and out the other. Reconnect the hoses and then disconnect them from the engine and flush the radiator, water should flow in one side out the other of the radiator now.. if stuff doesn't flow in either (with the thermostat out of the engine) then it's probably blocked somehow.

I just confused myself, but there's something meaningful in there somewhere.

 

Does any one know if the cooling system has to be pressurized to work right? i found a crack in one of the pipes of the cooling system, kinda temporary pluged it and it seems like it may have fixed the problem, ill go to the junk yard this weekend and get a replacement.

Another problem..the engine was flooded so i did the ATF thing..it was AMAZING..neighbors were coming over with fire extinguishers..HAHAHA, but after about 10 minutes my turbo turned red hot..so i turned ht car off.....

Im not sure what cause this...maybe that there is no exhaust on the car just some rusty cats...did this allow too much psi on the turbo? or was it the atf..the car was just idling for hte 10 minutes, or is my turbo screwed?

Sorry this is so long..Thanks for any input!

 

Wow you found a 88 turbo 2 for 500 bucks nice I did to

 

someone please help me! why is my manfold or turbo red hot!!!

 

Like others are saying, I think you have a leaking water seals. You might also have air in your system to keep your car from running properly. Try to flush the cooling system and dump some radiator/water pump anti leak condioner into it and see. Those things help soften and reseal the water seals. It might help it.

 

That's due to either the pre-cat or main cat being clogged (and it probably is) or running too rich (likely too).

Check out those cats and injectors daddy-o.

 

thanks guy for your help so far,

so if my O2 sensor has no exhaust going by it because of all the holes then the 02 sensor thinks the engine is puting out clean air with lots of O2, so the computer is putting to much fuel to compensate thereforemaking my pipes glow...Sound reasonable?

btw where is the O2 sensor?

thanks