i have an '87 RX7 (unfortunatly no turbo) driving to work one day i blew a heater hose and had to stop 4 times to let it cool and put in more water on the way to the garage (i stoped each time as soon as the needle hit red). by the end of the week i noticed that it was starting hard and 7 days later - no compression. i have heard 2 things 1. the main seals are now junk because of the overheating and need to be replaced. 2. the main seals are not junk, they are just gummed up from the over heating and the problem can be resolved by cleaning them. which is it?


AC/DC Freak

 

my guess is you cooked the motor...

but do a compression test on the vehicle - how to can be found in the FAQ

 

i have done a compression test, i can hold my thumb over the spark hole( all others plugged)

 

yeah you fucked it up
you let the temperature gauge go all the way to top?

 

Well.....I'd recommend an ACTUAL compression test before you up and rebuild

but really more than likely its cooked - running the car with the temp gauge pegged is really something that shouldn't happen...

 

no the temp gauge was never pegged, i stopped and let it cool as soon as the needle on my temp gauge touched the red (overheating) portion of the dial, i was about 2 to 3 miles down the road when i smelled the coolant and stoped the first time, from that point the garage i took it to was only about 3 miles away.

 

yep and thats too hot

not to be a dick - but thats why that portion of the dial is red.......

 

ok, my question now is, where can i get seals (my local mazda delership cant get them or wont) and a shop manuel?

 

Mazdatrix sells seal kits for the engine

but the dealership whould be able to get them - 99% of rebuilds people do use all OEM seals......if your dealership is giving you a hard time, come back with a load of coffee's for the service managers and see if the attitude changes - hehe...because if they told you they can't get them, they are flat out lieing

 

how about a shop manuel?

 

Factory service manual is available online - sureshot has a link in his sig.

A haynes manual can be found at Autozone, partsource, crappytire and the like

 

or read the FAQ for a manual

 

whats the s4 temp gauge type, is it called linear?

 

full sweep, it is accurate compared to the S5 gauge. any motor should not see more than 3/4 or you probably cooked it.

 

and then invest in an autometer or other aftermarket temp gauge. They are majorly more accurate than stock (S4 or S5). If you are going to invest the time to rebuild, you might as well invest in some accurate temp insurance.

 

use goopy apex seals