Mombodogs

Recently, as it is cooler in the A.M., 40-50, upon initial startup, regular higher rpm warm up, but have noticed that if I don't allow more time to warm her up, two short blocks from the house, a little smoke. Its definetly oil. If I let her warm up and extra 5 minutes, not a problem.

I'm very strong on the throttle, not initially, take it to 6500-7000 before shifting, when its warm, and no smoke. Did the 7000 RPM trick in first gear, got off throttle all the way, and no smoke. Is it just a longer warmup needed cause of the temp outside?

One other concern. Pick up kid from school, drive for 20 minutes total, both ways, and park. Talk to him 10 minutes, get into car, and drive away. Sometimes I get that same smoke, warmed up, but start up and leave.

Oil seals? Still have great compression, will give exact numbers later on, but looking for some thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

PEACE THE DOG

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

When was the last oil change? Type of oil/weight? How much smoke do you figure?

2slow4stock

iTrader: (18)

Remember cold outside not like summer, so it takes longer to warm up.

Mombodogs

Last oil change was three days ago. 20-50, Castrol. Live in N. California, near S.F. I've searched and looked at photos of SMOKING, nothing that severe. Best comparison, that I can make, is when we overload our diesel drill rigs from too much torque, and not enough throttle, it stalls. When restarting, get a sudden burst of black smoke, diesel that is. Maybe, like a short exhaust release from a bus at a stop sign.

Like I said, I know from the way I drive it, its gonna use more oil, just seems excessive. Grabbing a burger right now, I'll post in a few the new compression numbers. Any ideas on what else to further check , would be appreciated.

PEACE THE DOG

Wankel7

How many miles are on the engine?

James

Mombodogs

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I did a little more research, and stupid me, I think, compression really doesn't have to do with oil seals, if that is what it is, correct? Anyway, Wankel, it has 149896, 150 thou. Anyhow, compression number still strong, equal pulses on rotars, and 105, 105 trailing----110, 105 leading. I have gone over, under, left , right, no oil leaks.

Changed the o-rings on oil filter housing weeks and weeks ago, that was last leak. Stumped now. Did the 7000 to 4000 in first, no smoke, almost redline, gear shift, no smoke, guess I'll keep searching. No way to check the oils seals further? without a teardown?

Thanks a bunch everyone,

PEACE THE DOG

Mombodogs

Just a quick follow-up, forgot to post, changed plugs, and they were sort of black, 1/2 and 1/2, have a picture or two, but don't know how to post them. Noobie retarded. If someone tells me how, I'll post if you'd like to see.

PEACE THE DOG

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

You notice the color of the smoke at all? If it's black, I'd just throw it up as a temporary rich condition (nothing too serious), if it's grey-ish, it could be a number of things really, OMP injecting a little much, seals letting a little bit of oil by under high pressure, it's hard to say really if it doesn't do it a lot.

Mombodogs

The smoke is white, maybe a little blue tint to it. I just read something like you said RaT. Like I said, I drive it hard, and it said that if you take it to higher RPM's, then get off it suddenly, like car cutting you off, corner sharper than anticipated, etc.....that the omp is still pumping to keep up, and then takes a bit for it to inject less.

OK, I just drove it like I do. Came to my usual corner, pulling 6500 in 2nd, off the gas, make the corner, and coming out, I got back into it and sure enough, puff of smoke. Tells me one thing for sure, before you say it, back off. But if that is where I'm losing the oil, is that an indication of seals maybe going also, or me just being stupid agrressive?

I'm going to monitor it for a week, not going to rev so high, knowing I'm going to have to slow, and see. Just still curious about seals. The cost of oil is insignificant to rebuild, but I don't want to damage anything if I'm due.

Any other "tests", short of teardown, to check seals?

Thanks again all,

PEACE THE DOG

SonicRaT

iTrader: (6)

Well, if it doesn't stay, and it's just a puff, I wouldn't worry about it, you could also be sucking up a bit of oil in through the crankcase hose on the intake (since you see more vacuum during run-off), and then burning what you suck in up.

Wankel7

Dude at 150K miles on your engine the oil control rings have worn past spec or the orings are done.

You have two options:

1. Stop worrying about it.
2. Tear the engine down and rebuild it.

Oh wait three options...

3. Install a big *** mirror over the rear hatch so you can watch your exhaust and keep tabs on this smoke.

It will not get better it will get worse as time goes on. So, just drive the car and stop worrying ....it will not hurt anything besides waste a lil oil. And it prob isnt the best thing for the cat/o2sensor. But since it isnt bad I am sure that will be transparent.

I have a 86 base that has 189k on it and if you floor it above 4000rpm it lays down a smoke trail so bad you think the car is on fire.

James

Mombodogs

Wankel, look up bro. I did post how many miles it has on it. I know that it will only get worse as time goes on, if it is going out, but I asked if I am doing more damage by continuing to drive it, or not?

And like I have posted on various other occasions, either this motor has been extra-ordinarily been taken care of, or its been rebuilt already. The guy I bought it from is out of country, and hasn't responded yet.

It had three owners in 4 months in 1998 and when it was registered next again in 2000,
the mileage change for 3 and 1/2 years was 2000 miles. Leads me to believe it was rebuilt, and 45, 000 miles in the next 5 years is not to bad.

And Wankel, I have two eyes, 3 mirrors, and 20-20 vision. Don't need the mirror, so take a chill pill bro. And there is a hyphen between o and rings - . And I drive it with the top down, so thanks for your visionary advice.

PEACE THE DOG

Andrew.

iTrader: (4)

Dog you sure its just not condensation in the exhaust being blown out? You did say it was early in the morning.

Tournapart

iTrader: (4)

the way you explained the plugs, 50/50 black and brownish/white im guessing? sounds perfectly normal. like wankel said 150K is 150K, you should be lucky theres not more wrong with it. as far as doing more damage, i would expect your engine to last at least another 15-20K before it is toast and will NEED a rebuild, but at 170K in need of a rebuild is very respectable. if you want it to last longer i wouldnt shift at 6.5-7K all the time, i usually shift at like 3-3.5K so i dont kick the secondaries on, but you know, its your car, do whatever you want with it.

I think you got a good running rotary there and you should be proud to own one that runs so well at 150K, my advice if you choose to take it is to get a JDM engine, replace all the gaskets and slap it in, take out the engine you got there before you toss a apex or side seal and rebuild it, take the JDM out and sell it, minimal down time for your car, only about 1,500 spent, provided you do the work your self and including what you can get for the used JDM with new gaskets, and you have a close to new running engine

i live in elsobrante/pinole, if you need help turning a wrench or two hit me up

Mombodogs

Thanks Tournapart, and everyone. I am not bitching, complaining, in the least. From all that I have read, I'm dam lucky to have such a strong engine, rebuild or not. I got my first speeding ticket at 16, 24 years ago, in my sisters brand new Mazda, and have wanted one ever since.

I'm still learning, but I have done every single repair on this car myself. I just want to run it as long as I can, without further damage, if there is even any. And all my knowledge is only from the help here. Service manuals are a piece of shi-t, in general, and thank God for this sight.

El Sobrante, heh, I've drilled hundreds of foundations for new houses in El Sobrante. From Vallejo going west, exit El Portal, left under freeway, left at San Pablo Avenue , about three blocks up on right side, below big church on hill, all those houses I did.

Thanks again all, and I'll try to "GRANDMA" the rotary masterpiece. Right!

PEACE THE DOG

Wankel7

OMG , I thought you said you had three eyes I was like omgwtfbbq.


Anywho, no problem. I am sure that is the stock engine. 150k isnt that much. Yeah, I missed the milage you put in the post...that is why I edited mine

And unless you are actually behind your car....your not going to see the smoke...unless it is pouring out. So the mirror could help but then you would start freting.

Lates.

James

Mombodogs

Wankel, lay off the pipe man. I bought this car for my son's 16th B-day, and I don't want it to stop when he takes possession. Easy boy, maybe I could just have someone follow me and watch?

You're a nut James, I like it!

PEACE THE DOG

Mombodogs

OK, thought I'd update. Warmed up car completely this morning, and had friend try and follow me. While driving like a good Pinto, no smoke. But when I got into it, and shifted, there was a slight puff of smoke. Guess I will take it easy on the gal, and have something to do when its raining.

Now, without starting a new thread, as long as it is torn down, its probably a good idea to change all the coolant, apex, side seals, port? I will search, but what would some reccommendations be? Son wants CAI, exhaust, etc.....I guess we might as well do it all at once.

Thanks again for the help and advice.

PEACE THE DOG