Hi, this is my first post to these boards and unfortunately it's not a happy one.

I have a 1986 N/A RX-7 which I just purchased in early April. Last week I had the clutch replaced. Tonight after coming home from a 40-minute drive I noticed a very odd smell, looked down at my fuel pressure gauge and noticed it was low, between 30 and 60 lb x in^2. At lower RPMs the pressure would drop considerably, something I havent noticed before.

I took it home and checked the dipstick three times, currently the oil level is sitting right below the "L" line.

Is this as bad as I think it might be? I'm unsure how much more money I should put into this car since I'll be moving to LA next month and becoming a starving student, so I dont want to keep feeding a cash hog. Frustrating because the interior and exterior of the car is in amazing shape.

If anyone has any advice or predictions about what this may be, please mention it. Also, how safe would it be to drive it if I keep filling up the oil?

Thanks in advance.
Sean

 

How long since you last added oil?
Last changed your oil? oil should be changed every 2500 miles. Check your oil cooler and oil cooler lines for leaks. If you don't know where they are: Go to FC3S.org and download the FSM [Factory service manual]

 

Your oil pressure should be between 30 and 60 psi. It should normally drop after the car warms up and at lower rpms. A rotary motor should burn about a quart of oil every 1500 miles or so depending on how you drive it. This is normal and should be expected.
If it is at the "L" mark you should add 1 quart of oil. The difference between the L and the F on the dipstick is 1 quart.
If you see oil on the ground then you have leaks. If you have lost alot of oil very quickly, I would check the oil cooler lines.

Good Luck
Chuck
88AE