Hi,
I am planing to buy an 86 rx7. The car overheats. The rervoir hose that is attched to the side of the radiator cap keeps comiing off under pressure and starts leaking coolant. It looks like it is actually spitting coolant out under pressure. That causes the car to overheat. Can someone tell me what is wrong? How is it fixable?
I know this might not make sense but i will try posting pics once i get the car. Thanks,
Terry

 

hard to say without more info. How long does it drive before it starts overheating. Is the fan coming on? Does the low coolant buzzer come on?

 

Zip tie it and see what happens. It might just be too loose...

 

Yeah the low coolant buzzer comes on. I belive the fan does come on. And it overheats after 10minutes of driving just because it runs out of coolant.
Is there anything that would cause high pressure and make the hose come off??
Thanks guys.

 

thermostat

 

Could be clogged however youll probably need a new engine since its been overheated probably more than 1 time.

 

coolant seal. yea probably need a rebuild or new engine.

 

Yeah if a coolant seal were bad i imagine the pressure from the combustion chamber would pop off any loose hose, probably is a bad seal.

Unless the rest of the car is in GREAT shape, i wouldn't pay more than $500 for it.

 

Wow, i was hoping it wasn't the coolant seal. Hopefully there is still hope because i really like this car. I am going to go check out the car again. But this time I am going to try tying a Zip tie to the reservoir hose and also check to see if the coolant goes back in to the engine when it flows in to the reservoir.

Anything else i should check for?

Oil in the coolant or vice versa?
White smoke?
What else?

Thanks alot for your help guys.

Terry

 

Before you go off and doom the coolant seal check your oil, if it boils over that fast you should be able to see it in the oil which would look milky, or pressurize the coolant system if you dont see anything leaking but loose pressure then its the seal, and yes if you have coolant in your radiator the exhaust should smell sweet.

Regardless, it is an 86, if the motor has yet to be rebuilt then dont buy this car unless you are planning to put in a new motor in.

On a personal note, my car used to boil over, then i put in a new all aluminum radiator and problem gone. Still plan on getting a rebuild if your motor is yet to be rebuilt.

 

Do not let your emotions make a decision on this car. If it has overheated, the chances are good that the engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced with a remanufactured engine. In that case, figure on at least $2.5K to have it done by someone else, 'cause the overheating may have caused internal engine damage that will require replacement of major components in addition to the usual seals and O-rings required for a rebuild. Notice I said AT LEAST.

Look for another car is my advice. That is, unless--as Monkay says--it is in spectatular condition and you are willing to deal with the engine rebuild or replacement.

 

Hey guys,
Thanks for talking me out of into buying that car. You guys have saved me from lots of stress and also saved me alot of money. I was actually ready to buy that car and was going to give him a deposit but after seeing the big picture I decided not to. I am a college student was looking for daily driver. I thought i could fix the overheating problem with maybe $200-300. But i didn't know it was going to be something major. I really want an rx7 but i guess i need to learn about them first before i own one.

Thanks guys,

Terry