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Car Drinking Coolant. Rebuild?

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Old 01-03-09, 02:11 PM
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Car Drinking Coolant. Rebuild?

Hey, I am just wondering if there is a cheap way to fix my coolant leak problem beside a rebuild. It not a big leak but it leak and when i start it up you ca easily smell burnt coolant. Also if i do need a rebuild i am wondering f i can reuse some of the part (ex Springs and apexi seal, corner seal etc)
And if so who sell a god a cheap rebuild kit.

Anybody?

Thanks
Old 01-03-09, 02:16 PM
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there is no fix for broken coolant seals. Only fix is rebuild the motor.

Many people have tried various block sealers but all it ends up doing is making a mess of the coolant passages and potentially ruining your housing and irons
Old 01-03-09, 02:58 PM
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Yea only way is to strip it down.

As for reusing parts aslong as the engine getting good oil with fuel and engine hasnt been sitting long should all be good. but best way to find out is inspecting them when have engine apart.
Old 01-03-09, 04:14 PM
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Make sure everything is within spec otherwise its the soft seals and gaskets that need to be replaced. How many miles are on the engine?
Old 01-03-09, 05:01 PM
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I'm curious about this also, i'm looking at an 88 GTU but the lady who is selling says it has a "coolant leak." I'm assuming that the coolant seals are gone but can't tell till i go look at it. Assuming that all the apex, corner seals are ok where can i get just a seal kit? Needs to be as cheap as possible.
Old 01-03-09, 10:01 PM
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Old 01-03-09, 11:09 PM
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Umm... I can't believe nobody's asked this yet but: Is your engine burning coolant? i.e. large amounts of white smoke billowing from the exhaust. If not, it is likely that you simply have a blown coolant hose. The heater hose fails commonly from oil dripping on it from the oil filter. The thermowax hose also fools allot of people because much of it is under the intake manifold.
Old 01-04-09, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Zane98S14
I'm curious about this also, i'm looking at an 88 GTU but the lady who is selling says it has a "coolant leak." I'm assuming that the coolant seals are gone but can't tell till i go look at it. Assuming that all the apex, corner seals are ok where can i get just a seal kit? Needs to be as cheap as possible.
If you're going to all the trouble to replace the coolant seals, you're going to replace the apex seals 95% of the time anyway.

Your best bet is to have it sent off, rebuilt, and ported...which is going to cost you at least a grand. Which, IMHO isn't worth it when there are TONS of cheap s4's out there that are in running condition.
Old 01-04-09, 06:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Hecubus84
Umm... I can't believe nobody's asked this yet but: Is your engine burning coolant? i.e. large amounts of white smoke billowing from the exhaust.
Ahem: "...and when i start it up you ca easily smell burnt coolant."
Old 01-04-09, 12:55 PM
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He never said it was blowing white smoke, if his thermowax hose is leaking it could very easily run down to the exhaust manifold causing a burning coolant smell.
Old 01-04-09, 02:20 PM
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If it is Leaking,then Find the leak.It isn't going to be fixed if you don't get Greasy!
I'd be wanting to know if it is just a 2 dollar hose,rather than Assuming that something has let go internally and spend 2 k on getting the engine rebuilt.
if you can see the Coolant on the Ground,then it is not a Coolant Seal.(well unless you are shooting coolant out of the Overfow on start up or out the Tailpipe)..
Old 01-04-09, 02:48 PM
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^Thank you

OP: This is the hose I'm talking about, it connects to the back of the throttle body.
Old 01-04-09, 02:59 PM
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I had a coolant leak That i could not find for the longest time...

ONe day i got lucky and saw it leak from between the tranny housing and the block.. IT was a darn freeze plug.

IF you can smell it... it must also be smoking a little. You just have to follow the trail.
Old 01-04-09, 11:29 PM
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I replace that hose all of you say and yes it indeed blowing white smoke. So now the question where can i buy a cheap rebuild kit or where can i sent the motor for a rebuild cheap. I live in the Bay Area. Anyone?



Thanks.
Old 01-05-09, 03:51 AM
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Rotary Shops

A "cheap" rebuild may or may not be possible depending on whether various components of your engine can be reused. You'll know after the engine is pulled.

You should check the Norcal Rotary Shop thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/west-rx-7-forum-193/northern-california-rotary-shop-thread-693971/


Paul & Kevin (http://rotorsport2.com) build engines. Rick's Rotary and PR Motorsports can pull/install but they are not engine builders.


Close to Sac is Ben of Rotary Evolution (Karack). He's all over the forum.
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