Hey guys, I've been lurking on this forum for a while now. I began my search for a 2 gen rx7 about 2 months ago. Then I came across this bad boy and snatched it up. The engine was rebuilt ~38k miles ago and all the belts/hoses and radiator are brand new. It's a rust free, never seen winter virginia car that still looks pretty good. The seller was the brand new 18" rims and tires included. I paid way under value IMO, but I got it home today and now I'm a bit worried. The car has been driven less than 500 miles in the past 2 years, just the occasional weekend cruise. Anyway, when I went to test drive the car I looked at his garage to see if there were any oil drips and didn't see any so I thought I was ok. I couldn't see anything from up above (it all looked pretty clean) that looked suspicious. But, I got her home and drove it over the holiday (happy 4th btw). Today I drove it up on the ramp to take a closer look after spotting some oil on the floor of my garage. I think I found the general area of leakage. I'll let the pics do most of the talking, but the general area seems to be behind (to the rear) of the oil pan towards the transmission. I believe the clutch housing is the culprit?

Here are the pics:







I wiped of the area so it's a lot cleaner than it was, but you get the genera area.


The Circled area drips a good amount of oil during and after the engine running. It eventually stops about 35 minutes later. It's as if a plug is missing- why is that hole there (and by judging the amount of oil coming out of it I would guess a plug/screw of some sort is missing- see the garage floor shot)?



Sorry to sound like a noob, but I am a bit stumped on this. Before you ask, I am 90% that it is engine oil and not transmission fluid. There is no red tint (it's black and clear like engine oil) and it smells like oil too.

Here's a shot of my garage floor :

 

Since you say it is not red fluid, then i assume it is an auto tranny? If it is a manual then the fluid is brown/black just like oil.

 

I guess I was more than 10% wrong...

It is a manual. So, it is the tranny leaking then? What do you recommend?

Thanks for your help btw...

 

Well, I was going to say the Oil Metering Pump, but from the locations at with you took the pictures, that seems not so likely. Though, it's always a possibility *as I know of a few RX-7's that have that issue* After you floor it around for a few minutes, turn the car off, and feel around it. See if you feel any new/wet oil on it.

Otherwise, I would assume it could be the gasket to the oil pan?

 

I don't know, i just got into RX7's a few weeks ago myself, i just knew that most RX7's are manuals and that manuals have brown oil. So thought i would point that out.

Someone else will have to give you further advise.

 

Yeah, as far as I can tell, the leak is towards the the transmission. I don't think the oil pan area is leaking. That little hole I circled drips out oil as we speak. I let the car run for a few minutes and took it around the block, now it's dripping again?! Should I plug it up w/ something? Plastic screw, metal screw? why is there a hole in my tranny???

 

Might be the transmission seals. There's one between the driveshaft and the rear of the transmission and one behind the throwout bearing. If you take that rubber plug off in the 3rd pic you can feel around with your finger. If you feel something like pudding (stay with me here!) and pull your finger out and see lots of slimy black liquid it might be that the front tranny seal is leaking fluid. You'd have to drop the tranny and replace it. I'd do both as long as the tranny is dropped. The seals won't set you back more than $10 for the set.

 

Could also be the rear main seal on the engine.

 

So, I should have the tranny looked at... That shouldn't be too bad I suppose. But what is that little hole for? Is it ok for me to plug it up? Or is it some sort of 'emergency pressure release valve.' Or is it just that time of the month for my car?

 

I'm with clokker on this one. Rear crank seal of engine.

It would be very unusual for any 5speed input shaft seal to be leaking that much.

What' does the oil feel and smell like? 80/90 W gear oil is much thicker and smells totally different than engine oil.

One way or another, that tranny has got to come out. Wether it's the rear crank seal or the trans input shaft seal, oil is leaking out of the bellhousing and that oil is getting on the clutch and will destroy the clutch disc in no time.

At least you can go ahead and get a fresh new clutch and change out the tranny gear oil.

 

In the 3rd picture right behind the oil pan, there is a rubber plug on the bottom of the tranny bellhousing. It is about 1-1.5inch in diameter. Pull it out with a flat head screwdriver and reach in that hole with your finger.(ENGINE NOT RUNNING OFCOURSE)

It should be dry inside there as that is where the clutch is. Is it wet with oil? Is the oil thin like motor oil or is it kinda thick and sticky like tranny gear oil?

That little hole you asked about is a weep hole and is doing what it is supposed to do. It lets water or oil or any fluid weep out of the bellhousing.

 

I'll check out that plug and check for fluid as I get time. So, it sounds like I might as well do the clutch and engine crank seal? Where is a good place to buy parts? Can I take it up to kennedy or something and have them put it in there? Thanks for the help guys. Also, I'm in the St. Paul area if anyone knows any good shops around I'd love to know.

EDIT-

How does this clutch look:
Clutch

Still not sure where to get the seals (not sure exactly what I need either).

 

Be sure to take it to someone that knows RX7's and is familiar with removing the flywheel. Heck, there might be a local RX7 enthusiast/mechanic.

 

http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.as...m=10-556A-1668

This is the simple rubber seal you need. Not a big dollar item. It is easy to change, but you need to get the flywheel off, which is the hard part.

 

Here's a bit of a stick in the spoke. I pulled the little rubber grommet off and felt inside- dry as a bone. Took my light and shined it up in there, the gear looks completely dry. Now I am really stumped. The 'weep hole' still has a drip now and then, but could my 'bad' leak actually be up higher on the engine block (Couldn't really see anything but I suppose it could drip/work it's way down from the oil filter area). Any other ideas guys? It really seems to be engine oil to me. -Smells and looks like it.

 

The rubber grommet was dry on the top side?

Hmmm.....Take off the oil filter and see if there are 2 gaskets.

That top view left side of the motor does look a bit oily.

Spray the motor top and bottom with degreaser. Take the ramps with you to the car wash and rinse off all the gunk. Drive home and put back of the ramps and look for the leak now that you have a clean motor, pan and tranny.

 

I have another idea no one has mentioned.

It could be your car is cutting itself, thus bleeding oil, from the God-aweful rims that are on that car. freakin sell them.

 

Good idea, I'll try that out. The rubber cap had a bit of dry black gunky film on it, but nothing that resembled straight up oil.

I'm thinking about it, I like the black on black look... (btw, what is so "god-awful" about them?)

 

they are huge and chrome. and are probably adding 200+ pounds of unsprung weight

 

check your rear oil cooler line and the bolt attaching it to the rear iron for the leak

 

I have to agree, the rims are just not right for the car.

 

I think it looks ok for now. I want to take care of the mechanicals first...

 

Good man...form should always follow function. I'd rather drive an unsightly car than push a pretty one.

 

So, I went to my trusted mechanic to have him check my tranny oil level- he said it's almost empty. he said it's leaking pretty good (bad) and recommended a rebuild or replacement. So I'm looking for a good used tranny now. What exactly should I be looking for? S4? S5? I'm guessing it'd be easiest to stick with an NA model.

I'm pretty pissed about this one- I haven't even owned the car for a week.

 

It's not as bad as you think. For one thing a tranny will only run you about $250. I just saw one today for $150 with only 40k miles.

If i were you i would just refill the tranny that is on there and see where the leak is, if it can be fixed without dropping the tranny then just fix it and drive it as is, then when it dies replace it.

If you can, you could replace the tranny yourself, it is not that hard, just takes some time if you have not done it before. So would not cost that much.

And yes, you need an S5 NA tranny.