Rx 7 overheating

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Aug 2, 2001 | 03:57 PM

czebin

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Rx 7 overheating

I have an 86 gxl. runs good, but now overheating. the warning buzzer sounds and the add coolant idiot light is lit. Coolant leves was a little low
...added coolant...same warning and car will overheat.
...replaced thermostat...didnt fix.

There is steam comming from the back of the engine near the firewall.

Is this a water pump issue?

Please help.

Thank you,
Mark

Aug 2, 2001 | 10:42 PM

Evil Aviator

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Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 9,136

Likes: 39

From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Is the steam coming from the driver's side of the firewall?

Aug 2, 2001 | 10:48 PM

czebin

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Overheating

Yes. it looksl ike it is comming from near a hose that goes from the firewall to the engine, on the drivers side.

Aug 3, 2001 | 03:02 PM

SureShot

Seduced by the DARK SIDE

Joined: Apr 2001

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From: Orange Park FL (near Jax)

There is a 3/8" coolant line that comes out of the top center of the rear rotor housing and makes a sharp right angle bend under the intake manifold. It is hot under there and this hose gets cooked after 10 years. If you are thinking of fixing it yourself, the Hanes manual will help. You have to pull the intake. It took me about three hours all together.

Last edited by SureShot; Aug 3, 2001 at 03:06 PM.

Aug 3, 2001 | 04:05 PM

czebin

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Update

Started the car for the first time since the overheat. I now have white smoke comming out of the exhaust. Obviously its antifreeze burning. What causes this problem on a rotory?

Aug 3, 2001 | 09:56 PM

Evil Aviator

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From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Re: Update

Quote:

Originally posted by czebin
Started the car for the first time since the overheat. I now have white smoke comming out of the exhaust. Obviously its antifreeze burning. What causes this problem on a rotory?

That's not good. If it is actually antifreeze, it could be anything from a bad seal to a warped housing. Are you sure that it's antifreeze? It's possible that the engine was just flooded, as that will make a lot of smoke in these cars upon startup. If the smoke continues, however, I think that you are looking at an engine rebuild.

The reason I asked about the heater hose is because it is common for it to degrade from oil leaking from cracked oil filter base O-rings. This usually causes a pinhole leak, resulting in lost coolant.

Regardless of what is actually wrong with the car, I would recommend replacing the oil filter base O-rings (they only cost a couple of dollars), and replacing the heater hose.