Well a buddy of mine went to look at an 86 GXL today. He test drove it, and said it drove fine. He said the temp gauge was about half way up. I had him check the radiator overflow tank with the car running, and he said there were bubbles coming out. It's my understanding that this is caused by blown water seals, and is causing the car to run slightly hot. I told him he should stear clear unless he got a great deal, because the car would need a rebuild soon. He was wondering how long a rotary can run like that before it will need a rebuild. I don't know the answer to that question, but I figured you guys would.

Thanks,
Mike

 

bump

 

There is no way to predict when total failure will happen. This is a fatal problem though, and I would price the car like it had a blown engine.

Once the engine is taken apart, it is likely you will find one of the end housings has a cracked o-ring groove edge. The metal between the o-ring groove and the water jacket is quite thin and is subject to cracking and or corrosion.

 

Yea thats what i figured. I have a 86 parts car that im going to stip out the engine and throw it in. It will give me a good chance to actually tear apart my other engine and learn something about the internals

 

I went with my friend to test drive this car with him. The dealership wanted $2500 for it. We drove it around the block a few times, and the temp guage was up to half. Got back to the dealership and let it idle for a few minutes while I checked the car over. The temp creeped up to 3/4, and I could smell burning coolant in the engine bay. The guy at the dealership quickly got in the car and turned the heater up full blast. I guess he thought he could trick us into buying the car. The guys at this dealership had replaced the thermostat, radiator cap, and fan, because they didn't know what was causing it to overheat. I showed the guy the nice air bubbles in the overflow tank, and told him what was causing them.

We went inside to talk about it. With the salesman right there, I told my friend I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for it, because it will need a rebuild. Then the salesman gets pissed off, and tells us to leave. I feel sorry for the sucker they pawn that car off on. Oh well, atleast my friend isn't that sucker.

 

Jeez, you can get a running turbo2 for that!