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

Pretty certain my coolant seals are shot...

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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 07:51 AM
  #1  
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Pretty certain my coolant seals are shot...

87 NA 65,000 on the clock, bone stock.
I overheated a few months back when the Alt belt broke and the other belt jumped... ever since I'm putting coolant in frequently, at first I thought this was simply air in the system -now I'm starting to thing the seals are history, mind you I have not driven it much since said overheat, still has good power -but drinking coolant... I get the coolant buzzer when cold then it turns off when warmed up, I let it cool a bit and add fluid. I have gone through this cycle about 3 times and any air should be out by now..

This sucks.

I plan on swapping the engine anyway.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 12:32 PM
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I'm new to rotaries can anyone confirm?
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 12:54 PM
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Yes, the seals are shot. You are burning coolant. The exhaust will smell sweet. You would need a rebuild, but you're swapping... so you can sell for parts.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 12:57 PM
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do you have smoke out your exhaust continuously?

do you have known good caps on your radiator and filler neck?

if you fill the overflow to the very top and start with the caps on do you get bubbles in the overflow?

if you have a leaky cap it will push coolant out while you are running and you won't be able to find it.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by solareon
do you have smoke out your exhaust continuously?
no

Originally Posted by solareon
do you have known good caps on your radiator and filler neck?
Just bought the car in July -but they seem to be fine. Stock ones on there -I'll have to check them out.

Originally Posted by solareon
if you fill the overflow to the very top and start with the caps on do you get bubbles in the overflow?
.
not that I noticed -but I'll try this.

Originally Posted by solareon
if you have a leaky cap it will push coolant out while you are running and you won't be able to find it.
hrrrmm... I'll have to investigate. Thanks for your help.
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Old Nov 15, 2008 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by solareon

if you fill the overflow to the very top and start with the caps on do you get bubbles in the overflow?
.
what does this indicate? blown seals I'm guessing.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by sunburn
what does this indicate? blown seals I'm guessing.
if you get bubbles in the coolant overflow then there are combustion gasses getting into the coolant stream.

a good test for the caps is to get the car up to temperature and then try and squeeze the radiator hose. if the caps are bad the hose will be soft and easy to squeeze. if they are good then the hose will be tight and hard to squeeze.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by solareon
if you get bubbles in the coolant overflow then there are combustion gasses getting into the coolant stream.

a good test for the caps is to get the car up to temperature and then try and squeeze the radiator hose. if the caps are bad the hose will be soft and easy to squeeze. if they are good then the hose will be tight and hard to squeeze.
thanks... I'm going to go fire it up in a bit after I'm done with some things around the house.
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 12:47 PM
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If you do find that your coolant seals are messed up, check out this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/engine-coolant-seal-repair-maybe-750774/
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by IanS
If you do find that your coolant seals are messed up, check out this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=750774
AWESOME!

Thanks!
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 02:54 PM
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Well just went out and checked for bubbles... none.

Very little smoke from the exhaust only when cold then goes away.

took it for a ride so it could heat up, got back popped the hood and sure enough...
I squeeze the upper radiator hose and steam comes out the top cap... going to have to go to AZ tomorrow and get new caps and go from there.

Thanks for your help guys!
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 04:19 PM
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if you buy 2 pressure caps then cut the spring on the upper one(makes it basically a flat cap.) if you cant get a flat cap from mazdatrix or else you could(most likely) run into more cooling issues like many others including me put 2 pressure caps on. I blew the accelerated warmup hose and ended up pulling the UIM
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Old Nov 16, 2008 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by jfpimp91elkland
if you buy 2 pressure caps then cut the spring on the upper one(makes it basically a flat cap.) if you cant get a flat cap from mazdatrix or else you could(most likely) run into more cooling issues like many others including me put 2 pressure caps on. I blew the accelerated warmup hose and ended up pulling the UIM
pretty certain I can get the proper caps at the locally, thanks.
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Old Nov 17, 2008 | 08:03 PM
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i thought i could find the correct ones too but i was quickly proved wrong. mazdatrix has them tho
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