DARKSIM

I'm hoping I am not posting a question when the answer is already out there and easy to find, but I checked the FAQ and did some keyword searches in the archives and didn't find anything. That being said, here is my dilemma:

I bought my '87 RX-7 NA from a guy in 2002 in pretty good condition, but there has been one consistent issue since then. Oil (appears to be engine oil) accumulates underneath the steering column at the vent in the footwell, and drips down onto my right leg while I drive. It is a slow leak in that it will not drip down if I drive it locally, but on long drives it will definitely leave oil marks on my pants. I have stuck a small rag up there to absorb the mess, but this can't be a good thing, so I'd like to get it resolved.

I have asked a few people about it before, and no one had any idea as to what it was. I took it to a mechanic a few years ago and they suggested that maybe the previous owner had used Armor All up in the dash and that it was leaking that. Obviously that is not the problem if it has been leaking that much for that long. Some have also suggested that perhaps the power steering fluid is leaking, but I have never experienced any problems with the power steering, so I do not think that this is the problem. I appreciate any suggestions, because I'm getting tired of rolling up my pants legs when I travel!

papiogxl

iTrader: (6)

Sounds like its coolant from the heater core to me. Does the engine lose coolant? Does it happen more when the temp control is switched to hot?

DARKSIM

The engine does lose coolant, actually. I figured it had a pinhole leak somewhere because it was losing it at an incredibly slow rate (i.e. the idiot light would go off maybe once every two years), so I used some of that radiator fix-a-hole stuff (I'll have to check the actual brand later) a few years back and it seemed to have done the trick. Last month, though, the buzzer went off again and the coolant system was very low. It seems that the leak is getting more severe.

The coolant issue may be separate from this one, though, because the color of the leaking fluid is a gold-ish brown color, much like the engine oil I use, and has the same sort of consistency. If it were coolant from the heating core, wouldn't it be green like the antifreeze?

NZConvertible

Clutch fluid.

clokker

iTrader: (2)

Transmission oil coming up the speedo cable.
Replace the seals at the drive gear on the tranny.

MFP10thAnn

iTrader: (3)

^^^Seriously? I have never encountered this problem in any of the FCs that I have owned. I not saying that it not possible, just never heard of it.

I am with NZ, every time this has happened to me, it turns out to be a leaky clutch master. Could also be the brake master...

Question: Do you notice changes in either of your brake or clutch fluid reservoirs?

clokker

iTrader: (2)

Yes, seriously.

Assuming that the liquid is oil (which the OP says) the most telling hint is that it doesn't happen after a short drive but does after extended driving...it takes a while for the oil to climb the cable, you see.

It's easily confirmed...remove the gauge cluster and check the speedo cable.

scrip7

iTrader: (6)

BINGO.

When I bought my NA it was like that, and had likely been leaking for quite some time. The oil had leaked onto the odometer gears in the speedo head (plastic gears) and had softened the plastic to the point where the odo stopped working. Replaced the seals and no more oil drip. Also swapped in a good used odometer gear and all is just grand.

DARKSIM

Thanks, everyone. I'll give that a shot once I free up some time. Is there a write-up on how to replace the seals somewhere? I like to fix things myself, but I can't say that I know my way around just yet - I learn as I go.

Anyway, It'll be nice to walk around without an oil stain on my pants! Thanks for the help.

clokker

iTrader: (2)

You don't need a write up, it's completely obvious once you start.
Go to your local dealer and get the seals- there are two, an o-ring and a seal thingie (together they cost @$8 and they'll probably have to order them in...).

Jack up the car and find where the cable goes into the tranny.
Undo the cable.
There is only one 6mm bolt that holds the drive gear onto the tranny case...undo it, pull out the drive gear/cable nipple and you'll see the seals.
Replace.
Total time...about ten minutes.

I did mine while I was changing the transmission oil, so I'm not sure how much oil would come out if the trans was full.
If you haven't done it lately, you might consider changing the fluid too, as long as you're under there.