Ok so here is the thing, I have just got the 7 out and the add coolant warning was going off. So I searched and found a recent thread regaurding the same topic.

But here are my symptoms:
1: When my car starts, I have white smoke.

2: After awhile the buzzer and light comes on.

3: After I fill the radiator it goes off and I drive it for like 10 mins, the overflow tank is damn near full.

4: The buzzer will turn on after while and then if I downshift or brake the buzzer will go back off.


The car runs fine other than that. The temp gauge has NEVER went past 1/2 on the gauge.
The engine only has 13k on it.

What are some things to look for and what kind of suggestions does everyone have?

thanks,
Josh

 

Does the white smoke smell sweet? Have you checked for any leaks or anything? If you cant find any leaks it could be your coolant seal on your turbo. My friends did that and it smoked like crazy. Definately check for leaks.

 

The turbo is oil cooled not coolant cooled. If white smoke is coming out of your exhaust then chances are coolant is leaking into your engine. Which could mean a blown water seal.

Who built the engine? Is it a Jspec?

 

that damn buzzer/sensor. mine is just grounded out. i can remember to check my level, so thats what i do. guess my sensor is bad. i believe its quite a typical problem.

:::is it even a turbo?

 

FC: The guy that I bought the car from did the rebuild. He has done many rebuilds so I dont think that is it.

I just thought of something else. When the car is running and I am trying to bleed the system, I have the heat on full blast and it doesnt send out ANY warm air!!!

 

Ah sorry I thought his car was a series 4. My mistake.

 

for a temporary fix.. ground that wire that connects to the sensor on top of the radiator......that will get rid of that buzzer sound. then

check your coolant system. make sure theres no bubbles inside...if so bleed system

if it doesnt send out any warm air...your car is cooling too much....check fuses, then check your thermostat, it is probably stuck open. replace that with a mazda thermostat.

 

So I just got home from a drive and after like 10 min the buzzer finally came on. Then once I hit the brakes it went off. ??? Hummmm........maybe the rad cap?
what would happen if my thurmostat isnt working?

 

if your thermostat is not working,

if its stuck closed,your engine will overheat. if it is stuck open, your engine will take along time to warm up(depends if you idle warm up or drive warm up).

either of these situations will cause you buzzer to go off...

buy new rad cap and thermostat.

 

bump

 

FC turbos are water-cooled.

 

The turbo is both water and oil cooled.

To the original poster, see http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/cooling.htm .

Also, you will want to check for failed o-rings. With the car stone cold, pull off the coolant fill cap and then start the engine. Look into the coolant. See a steady stream of bubbles coming from somewhere in the engine? If so, then it could indicate failed o-rings as combustion gasses are being pushed into the water jacket. Now rev the engine. Does coolant gush out? If so, your o-rings are history.

However, the problem could be as simple as a bad rad cap and/or hole in the coolant overflow bottle hose. Replace those two items before jumpign to conclusions.

 

AHA! I was right!

 

WOW, this is looking pretty good for me right now! I really thought that I was gonna have to have the engine rebuilt!

Thanks to everyone for posting!!!