Ok I got that annoying buzzer going off in my car and my temperature gage keeps pointing to hot. When it does get hot my oil filter steams for some odd reason and I barely have any oil left now for that reason. When I try and let the heat flow inside the car it's not hot...it's actually cool air coming in when you would think it should be very hot air. I have no idea what's going on with my car, I'm hoping the oil filter just needs to be replaced but thinking it's probably way worse than that.

 

Heh, you could possibly have a serious blockage in the radiator somewhere. Probably before the heater core inlet which would explain why you get only cool air when you are trying to get warm air.

I would not drive the car until you can get this situation figured out. An overheated rotary is usually dead more often than not.

 

Sound like either low oil or low coolant... either way both are engine life threating. Do not drive the car until the problem is fixed

 

What's causing the steam to come out of the oil filter? Does it do that when it gets real hot? I dont know that I've ever had it get that hot before so I have no idea. My coolant is above full, I checked the oil and that's ridiculously low. But wouldn't the oil light come on? I'm thinking something is up with my radiator because that alarm would come on until it got goin a bit and then shut off...now it just stays on and the car gets hot.

 

The low oil light would only come on, if the light and clock/warning panel works correctly. I would be even money that it is not.

Extreamly low oil, and a weak cooling system could cause the oil filter to get very hot, but steaming suggests that something is leaking as well (since flash point of most oils are above 350F).

Again the buzzer can come on from either low oil or low coolant (or over redline). Either way, if you are driving with the buzzer on, you are damaging your motor.

As a reminder, the oil and oil cooler provide about 30% of the cooling on a FC, so by driving with low oil (besides the frictional problems in the motor) also looses that cooling... meaning that the engine would probably be running at 30% warmer anyway.

And the coolant gauge on the dash should tell you want the coolant temp is (or if even the water pump and thermostat is working).

 

So pretty much it could be either or? Or mabye both...oy. And where do you think the leak is...the radiator?

 

Also you may want to look at the radiator hose by the oil filter.Your steam is probably escaping from a ruptured hose causing you to see steam.Just let cool down then inspect the hoses and also if there is any blockage of the system.Second take a look at your oil level,oil cooler,oil lines, ect.....Good Luck......oh by the way check your thermostat while your at it..

 

it really looked like it was coming from the oil filter but I'll check it out...if anyone else has any feedback it would be appreciated. I dont think I'll be able to tackle this project on my own and I don't know a good place to take it around here which sucks.

 

If your seeing steam check the coolant hose right under the filter.

It is known to rupture due to oil leaking on it.

A small pin hole should create the stream your saygin since like stated above oil has a high burn temp. If you hit that burn temp for oil them buy a new engine you toasted it beyond.

That pin hole will eventually leav you stuck on the side of the road after it fully ruptures. This can also lead to air on your cooling system and it not fully pressurizing reduceing your cooling abilities.

 

thanks digi7...so what would something like that cost to fix approximately? Any idea?

 

like 20bux I think. It's a some what S curved hose which goes from the back housing to the firewall. It's a good idea to replace it anyways.

I am going to the dealership with in a week to buy a new hose for my turbo project but temporarily I am using one off my old engine. Icemark It does have that swelling like you've posted. Oh well it's temp to get it running.

 

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/cooling.htm

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/coolentbuzz.htm

 

is it something I can do myself? like is it an easy fix? and where should i get the hoses?

 

thanks aaron...that will help a lot!

 

get the hose from the mazda dealership.

It's a special preformed hose which most auto stores don't have.

 

Ok here's an update. I put on a new coolant hose under the oil filter. The last one had a hole in it. I was hoping that was the problem but it seems to be more complicated than that. Here's the symptoms: it idles at very high rpms (2000) sometimes reving on its own. After about 10 - 15 min the car gets 3 quarters of the way hot (I turn it off before it gets too hot). No heat comes on when I turn the head fan on hot and on high...when I turn it cooler more air comes out. It almost seems like the air doesn't come out as much the hotter I set it.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

how old is the water pump?

 

Old enough for me not to remember when the last time it was replaced if at all.

 

if the pump's not pushing coolant (vanes corroded to nothing), that would cause your symptoms...coolant is basically just sitting there, not circulating...

 

how much would that cost to fix do ya think?

 

To do it yourself, $50 at autozone.

 

it's not too hard to pull it for an inspection before you waste any money...just have some RTV and maybe a gasket ready, if it rips to crap...

 

is there a tutorial somewhere on how to do that as well? i'm not the most mechanical person in the world but with instructions i've been able to do a lot on this car.

 

And here's another question. If my fc overheated and keeps overheating now, is it done for?

 

bump.