2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Oil in coolant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-04-07, 12:54 AM
  #1  
Glowing brake disks

Thread Starter
 
tarmac_terror's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oil in coolant

While toping up the coolant level in my TII S5, I noticed a bit of oil on the surface of the overflow tank and around the radiator cap. Not much, but enough to get me worried... I had the engine rebuilt less than a year ago and have only done 10K or so miles on it since. There was a little bit of oil in the coolant system from when I changed the water pump (since the internals of the pump were oiled for some reason), but the amount seems to have increased.

I've searched the forum and fc3spro.com but haven't found anything relevant. The FSM says to check for presence of oil in the coolant system, but doesn't say what could be causing it...

Anyone have any suggestions what could be failing and what I should check further? Could it be the turbo or worse, the engine block?

Thanks for reading,
- TT
Old 11-04-07, 01:03 AM
  #2  
87 Series IV RX7

 
Josh13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oil in the coolant is a bit of a worry. I'd take it back and get them to check it over. I've got coolant in the oil
Old 11-04-07, 01:37 AM
  #3  
wtf rotary wtf

iTrader: (3)
 
hurleysurf24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Who knows
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
seals are toast imo
Old 11-04-07, 10:47 AM
  #4  
Engine, Not Motor

iTrader: (1)
 
Aaron Cake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,789
Likes: 0
Received 108 Likes on 91 Posts
It could just be scum, or oil left over from the build process. Unless you are burning coolant, then you are fine.
Old 11-04-07, 07:08 PM
  #5  
TANSTAFL

iTrader: (13)
 
alexdimen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Richmond, Va.
Posts: 3,770
Received 123 Likes on 82 Posts
Originally Posted by hurleysurf24
seals are toast imo
Which seals?
Old 11-04-07, 07:40 PM
  #6  
Vp in charge of Girls

iTrader: (3)
 
re-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 1,550
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Why does everyone automatically assume rebuild your motor or your fucked>??!!
Old 11-04-07, 08:07 PM
  #7  
version 2.0

iTrader: (17)
 
texFCturboII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 3,590
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
like aaron said, if you start burning coolant or losing coolant quickly then I would worry. The seals they are referring to are the coolant seals in the block.
Old 11-05-07, 01:07 AM
  #8  
Full Member

 
camman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: utah
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
At least I'm not the only one with unexplained oil in my coolant overflow.
Old 11-06-07, 01:15 AM
  #9  
Glowing brake disks

Thread Starter
 
tarmac_terror's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Yeah, I "skimmed" the oil crap off around the top of the filler neck and whatever I could reach in the overflow bottle. Will keep an eye on in in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully it'll be as Aaron said, just oil in the system after the rebuild...

I'm not losing copious amounts of coolant, although have to top it up every now and then. The reason I had it rebuilt was because of failed coolant seals and I'm not getting the same symptoms any more, so that's a positive sign. Suspect that coolant is leaking somewhere, but its not obvious. Will do a full inspection after I stop using the 7 as a daily driver...

Cheers,
- TT
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stickmantijuana
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
13
01-09-18 11:19 AM
tiger18
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
9
09-03-15 08:27 PM
rotor_veux
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
5
09-03-15 07:10 PM



Quick Reply: Oil in coolant



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:39 PM.