my car starts overheat after about 5-10 miles.
its got nearly 200k miles on it and i was thinking about fixing it but i need to know how long it'll probably last if i do because from what i've read overheating on a rotary usually means near death....

 

when you say over heating how much on the temp gauge is it reading, second is it a 86-88 or 89+? two different type temp gauges i think read a little differently. if you are in the red then kiss it goodbye, but if you noticed it got hotter than it usually does then cut it off, you might be ok, and yes heat does kill rotaries easily. check you coolant level, check your hoses and make sure you are building pressure when its running. next check and see if you are loosing coolant, or making white smoke when its running. then check back.

 

to bradenscreed:
depending how far i drive it.
i dont think its ever been in the red but i've probably put some strain on it because i still drive it to school and its past the normal temp range that it should be.

 

Search the archives and stickied threads for "coolant seal test"

If it check out OK, then start diagonsing the cooling system....

T-stat...age, condition, OEM?
Rad...condition?
Underpan......present or no?
Rad cap...age, condition, OEM?