So earlier today I unscrewed the Air Bleeder plug to fill some coolant, however it was hot and pressurized so I dropped the plug into the engine bay and could not find it. This was in my schools parking lot. I had to get home so I put a cork in place of the plug. It wasn't a PERFECT fit, but it did go in there.

Anyways a couple miles down the road I got the single biggest most traumatic experience of my life. A few quick pops, followed by a BOOOM. . . Car turned off. Heart attack on the spot almost. I quickly check the engine bay to see nothing wrong at all. The cork is still there. Well I try to start it up again scared for my life. The first time, it failed. Then I tried again, gave it some gas, and it started up. Then as I drove for the next few seconds it seemed to die, but it stopped after about 10 seconds.

Almost home! A mere mile from my house the heat gauge starts to climb, and I figure the cork fell out, and it did. So I am left with no choice but to pull over again!

I managed to get it home (with another cork), but I am really REALLY scared that alot of damage was done. So, with what I've told you. Do you guys think I have lost everything ? (S4 NA, 73000 miles)

 

The car dying is probably unrelated...

It is highly, highly, highly unlikely that the engine sucked in the plug, don't worry about that.

Is there something you arent telling us? :P


Was the engine down on power or smoking at all?

 

Blown apex seal maybe? I'd try to get a compression check as soon as possible, and find that cap. Make sure your car didn't lose a lot of coolant.

 

Well, the power died I *think* because the cork let too much air in the radiator, causing an air bubble, and that got to the engine, and it blew. I don't know though. I refilled the coolant, but am getting the cap tomorrow. How much do compression tests cost ?

I am so shaken up right now. I can't afford to lose everything now.

Driving home the power was the same. Nothing different. No smoking either. Still disturbing.

 

You could've gotten water/etc on a connection and shorted it out for a moment.

 

Would that have caused an explosion ?

 

Rotaries are known to backfire sometimes, which would make pops followed by a loud bang.

This would also explain why it wouldnt restart, RX7's are notorious for flooding.

Some spilled coolant can cause wierd things.

If it's acting normal again, just get a new plug and everything will be fine.

 

if your coolant light didnt come on its not related to it imo. but yah get a compression test.

 

Well the coolant light came on later, when I got closer to home. Of course. This was when I was when the cork fell out, and coolant was shooting everywhere. I turned it off at that point, but at the time of the explosion, followed by the car dying. I have no explanation for that other than it could have been an air bubble, but that's just a guess.

 

get yourself together, get a new bleeder plug. flush, refill, and burb the radiator. try to start her, and may be replace the spark plug. then see how she does.

one step at a time. everything else is speculating.

good luck.

 

and start smelling your exaust for a the next week or so. If it starts to smell sweet start saving up for a engine, or rebuild.