Hi guys, I am new to this forum, and to rx7's. I just bought a used rx7 for 900 bucks. Its a 1988 gxl. The reason its so cheap is I think it needs a motor. I think it has an oring failure. The cars coolant overflow bottle is always full, and then eventually the coolant will boil. I did some research and it sounds like a faulty o-ring. Just wondering if it could be something else like a water pump, or a bad radiator. The other problem is that it does not like to start. I beleive it is flooding out. It will start with no problems after it sits over night, but after you turn it off, forget it. It has to sit for awhile, or pull the plugs. Is this ignition, or could it be low compression from this oring?

Bottom line is the cars interior is good, Has a few body blemishes, but I think its still worth putting a motor in it is thats what it needs.

Thanks for any an all help.

Joe

 

The seal between combustion gasses & water jacket is a rubber O-ring in a groove all the way around the aluminum housing.
If it leaks you get coolant in the combustion chamber and overheating symptoms, just like a blown head gasket in a piston engine.
I have had this happen, and was able to patch it with radiator stop leak.
I caught it early, before there was too much erosion of the O-ring.
The short version:
Hard to start, catches & sputters, blows white smoke, then clears up & runs OK.
To fix:
Good coolant flush, add half the stop leak, idle warm up to full temp, shut off & cool down cold, (repeat)
Do a search under "block weld".
Many have had good luck with that product & there is a good write up on the forum using it.

 

I also do not believe there is any circulation by the wather pump. Like I said I do not know much about therese cars but I located what I though it the water pump, and squeezed the hose on the top and bottom, and both are empty.... not coolant. It does blow smoke when it first starts, but my friend said its just the extra gas its buring. He has an rx7 too, so hes been helping me.

I will definatly flush the system and try why you sugessted, but I might just drop a motor in it since I have the money.

 

Does anyone read the FAQ anymore?

I think my engine has been overheated. How can I check to see if the coolant seals are good?
Fill coolant system ALL THE WAY UP (engine cold). Make sure that the fluid level is as high as you can get it. Leave the filler cap off. Remove the EGI fuse. Crank the motor (it should not start). If you get a LARGE amount of coolant coming out of the coolant fill, its safe to assume your coolant seals are blown. Also, a good indication is a fuel/exhaust smell in the coolant.

 

flush the coolant system and get a new stat, they are cheap

 

Fyi, I did read the faq, but there are alot of bubles in the fill, but it did not push any out of the fill, just the overflow. Any ideas on the hoses to the water pump with no coolant? Should I try the o-ring remedy and replace the water pump? or should I just go ahead with the quick fix?

I already put in a new thermostat, but it didnt help.

 

Leave the filler cap off.

 

I did leave it off, thats how I saw the bubbles in the fill stem, but it did not appear to be circulating at all. I am going to try the block weld, but I dont think it will be successful it the water pump is faulty, which is what I an try to find out is bad. I am just going to assume the o-ring is bad, but if its not circulating, I think I will be wasting the block weld. Any thoughts.

 

Get a new water pump at a junk yard and try that first. Then, try the block weld.

 

happened to mine the pros on this site said coolant leak into the engine . Mine n/a is doing the same thing. always check you coolant level. when it cools down.

 

I decided to start flushing te system today, I drained all the coolant, but then when refilling it, its not even taking in a gallon of water before over flowing! I know you have to run out air pockets and refill it, but shouldent it take more than that?

Sorry for all the noob questions.

Joe

 

Dude, if the coolant seal test didnt make coolant rocket out of your filler neck, then you have other problems then a bad coolant seal.

 

Everytime it just pushes coolant out the overflow, notthe filler, you can see the bubbles in the filler, but it does not rocket out.

 

I have a Ignorant question , Blockweld ,it is for sealing up leaks in the engine from having bad coolant seals? and I assume it will prolong a major over haul? If so what length of time (dependant on amount of damage ) could you hope to save your self (money incld) till you have to pay out for that rebuild kit? I will do a search on block weld also ...

Ohh and it takes two full days to get the taste out of your mouth from breathing exhaust fumes from your RX-7 ,trying to figure out whether the smell is sweet like cotton candy or sweet like kettle corn ...

 

Im sure this has been asked, but since I already here, will an 1987 engine bolt into a 1988 model? I might bid on a motor on ebay from an 1987 rx7.

 

Anyone know anywhere I can get a good motor for a decent price, I already put up an ad in the wated section.

 

Yes. That'll work.

Ebay?! The one from Canada?