ultrataco

iTrader: (2)

I tried searching but i got every thread with the word oil in it, and no answers.

I changed my oil back in July or August, but since I'm at school and my 7 is at home, I don't get to drive it much, so i haven't even put 1k miles on it since I bought it and changed the oil. I checked it last weekend and it was black, but then after driving it, I checked it again and it was fine. Should I change the oil soon? What happens to oil when gets old?

also, what about the oil in the container sitting in my garage? I bought two of those gallon (i think it's a gallon) containers of Castrol GTX when I changed my oil back in July or August, but I didn't use all of the oil, so some has been sitting in the garage for several months. Is it still ok or does it absorb moisture or something?

thanks

dogsrfurry

3 moths or 3k miles, which ever come first in my opinion. I only use 10w-30 oil because synthetic doesnt burn as well. As you know rx7's are ment to burn the oil and not recycle it.

My opinion anyway

dogsrfurry

I'd suggest buying oil in 1 qt sizes and open them as needed to keep the oil fresh.

Jodoolin

Only thing to consider is ambient temp fluctuations and the fact it has been sitting all winter. With wide temperature swings especialy in the winter, expect condensation in the oil pan. With it just sitting the oil has not been warmed frequently allowing the H2O to vaporize.

I always change the oil in the spring before I take her out from winter hibernation regardless of the # miles since the last oil change. The new oil sitting in the container (prolly 5 quarts) should be just fine.

ultrataco

iTrader: (2)

That's what I thought, but I kinda hate to change oil that has barely been used and still looks good.

I'm using 20w50 Castrol GTX. It's not synthetic.

Yeah, I kinda realized that after not using all of the big container.

It hasn't really been sitting all winter. My school is just 3 hours from home, so I go home at least once a month and I drive my 7 a few times whenever I go home.

By "new" do mean "unused"? It's not new oil. I bought it back in the summer. It is unused, though.


thanks guys!

micah

Change it the same time you would change any other car... the sooner the better. Technically, in a rotary, the oil actually stays CLEANER than a piston engine since there is/should be less contact with carbon surfaces. I've heard of people increasing their oil change frequency to 5000 miles. But, I still do it at 3000. Sometimes at 2500 if I get bored.

I use Havoline 10w30 almost year round, but it doesn't get super hot here.. In the summer months I'll switch to 20w40 or 20w50... but, it really only lasts a couple months (july/august for me); then I switch back to a thinner oil.

I read a really long article about how certain oils have higher ash rates when burned. Leaving more carbon buildup and exhaust soot. Havoline and Castrol GTX were amongst the lowest of the two. I use Havoline because it had the lowest soot numbers. I use Castrol in everything else though. I'll probably end up using Castrol on my next rebuild... That way I can buy castrol in bulk.

Another question (that I don't really have an answer to) is what oil filters do people use and why? I use PureOne or Mobil brand. I don't trust Fram.

SpooledupRacing

which ever comes first...

sorry I only drive 3K a season but I still change the oil normally 3-4 times in the summer

I will be using 15W40 ELF synthetic oil when I get it (hopefully in the next couple weeks)

Dave

ultrataco

iTrader: (2)

I use a mobil 1 filter. I haven't had any problems with it. It's bigger than the stock filter, which probably has some advantage, but I got it mostly because my only choices were Mobil, some brand i've never heard of and don't remember, or a Fram filter.

micah

You must be running premix or a 2cycle tapped OMP.

icecreaman

i use STP oil filter cause its blue. oil filter doesn't really matter. These cars burn the oil and the oil is changed often anyway.

Turbo II

iTrader: (1)

I hope you don't really beleive that......

Eva001Ikari

iTrader: (7)

3k miles or 3 months it doesnt matter when the oil sucks (is black) then change it. It can also depend on how much you drive it. You say you drove it and the oil was fine, if it looks ok then leave it alone but if it looks chocolate colored or even black its time for a change. I'm no expert on oil changes or anything but i change my oil when it gets modestly dark.

When it comes to a rotary engine its always better to be safe than sorry and take my advice................its never good to be sorry with a rotary engine.

micah

Yeah.. My friend used to think that until he was picking parts of his fram filter out of his oil pan.

TougeRoads96

I use the K&N gold oil filter or whatever seems to work pretty well, either that or just go OEM can't ever go wrong with that