Fingers

Let me start off with the following: I dont want my baby to die *bursts into tears*
When i start it, there is MAAAAAAAAD amounts of white smoke. but only for like 20 seconds or so. My dad SWEARS its leaking antifreeze into the chambers. I deny all possibilities of this because thats a bitch of a task. As well, it seems as though only one of the rotors works until i give it some gas... then the other one kicks in... but htats not till like 30 seconds later. I have a feeling my rotary rocket is dying. Could this be? It cant! I CANT LET IT HAPPEN! My car!!!!! I love the thing to death. Could it be a simple matter of spark plugs? Clogged injectors? BTW, the car backfires about 6 or 7 times before the other rotor kicks in. Its not a matter of it flooding though because i have a switch to cut the fuel and it doesnt help. It doesnt matter how long the car is left to cool, and how hot it is when i start it, it always happens, although sometimes not as severe.
PLEASE, GOOD GOD! HELP MEEEEEEEE.... and such and so forth
thank you so much

dre_2ooo

That sux man!

two words : compression check
go buy a tester <$30 and plug it in the trailing holes (top), take out the EGI fuse, and crank her over whle holdin the relieve valve. Look for THREE bounces.

3 bounces ~80+psi = good rotor
1high, 2 low = blown apex
1low, 2high = blown side seal
3 low = f*cked housing or water seal

if you have good compression try the ATF trick, plugs, fuel, TPS etc...

good luck

Fingers

Thanks alot buddy, you're a great help. I have an appointment tomorrow at 9:30 with the local rx7 specialists to check my compression as that was my first guess. I just pray to god its not an apex seal. Altough, if i do have to take apart the engine, do you have any tips on how to improve my performance? Or what to clean? Or how to take it apart? Jesus, i sound like a complete gimp. A gimp with a Hayes manual and a vast variety of tools. *sigh* i want my rotary rocket back up and running

rx7_ragtop

I would say there is a VERY good chance that your dad is right. That calls for a rebuild if so. I'd expect to hear this from the mechanic tomorrow.

A good test is to open the coolant cap on the thermostat housing, and start the car. If it blows coolant out, the seals are bad.

It really sounds like you have a SLIGHT leak in the coolant seals. You might get away with some sort of sealant for a little while.

Brad

Bean

if you want to save money buy a good condition used motor

make sure the spark plugs are in working order; my second rotor had the leading and trailing wires plugged in backwards

Fingers

Thanks alot for all your help. Yeah, i have realized it is the antifreeze leaking. it gets worse and worse every time i start it. its horrible. Its stanking of antifreeze!!!! How much are coolant seals? I'd have to take apart the whole goddamn thing, dont i? Would i have to remove the rotors themselves? Would i have to replace the apex seals? How much am i looking to spend on rebuilding this if all the labour is done myself? Please help me fix my rotary rocket!!

as well, does anyone have any estimates of how much a 87 13B cost? and if it is possible to put an 89 13B instead (due to more horspower)
Thanks again

Bean

dude it sounds like a warped rotor housing

did the car overheat?
my friend overheated his car and warped the housings since they are aluminum...

if you shined a flashlight down on the sides; you could see coolant bubbling out... it made bubbles so check for those...

Fingers

I dont think thats the case, but i'll try the radiator cap thing. Thanks. If anyone else has ANY advice whatsoever, Please, dont hesitate to let me know
-Ross

Fingers

anyone have a clue how much repairs could cost?

Ryde _Or_Die

Yea I desperatley need help too. This car of mine has alot of plans, if I could get it runnin. My car won't start, will crank though. Ran fine till one day. Changed plugs, wires, fuel filter. Had the alternator checked, its fine. The battery can't hold a charge though, seems to be some sort of electrical problem, god I wish I knew. Anyone that can help me please do. Thanks.

Chris

Flamin' NOS

Go to atkinsrotary.com they have a price list. If it's just the water seals with good compression, then you can just get new seals. If it's warped rotor housings, than that sucks. You'll need a new motor. Get the 'how to rebuild a rotary' vid from atkins and do it yourself. Sure it's scary, but if you have tools and a little bit of mechanical knowledge, then you should be able to do it with little problems. Just take it slow. If you're lucky, you can get out of the situation with 1 week of rex downtime and costing you less than $200. Good luck
steve

Fingers

Thanks alot for all your help guys. I'm definitely looking at a rebuild. Say, if i take apart the engine, i might as well get it ported. What do you guys suggest? I will probably get the RB presilencer and downpipe kit that goes between the manifold and catback. Thanks again guys

Fingers

OK, so i had it checked... and the compression is OK. So i need new water seals. Is there any temporary fix for this? Like stop-leak or anything like that?
Let me know plz
-Ross