Question,
I have a 1988 convertible RX7 with 115k, recently it's been consuming a lot of oil. I don't smell oil burning nor do I see oil on the ground where the car is parked..is this a bad sign?
ps, the oil gauge has been dropping to 0..even after I fill it up with oil...the oil gauge fluctuate between 0, 30, 60 even when I drive...

 

The oil pressure gauge will fluctuate between idle, just cruising, WOT (wide open throttle), and with RPMS a bit. It should never say 0 though.

How much oil are we talking about? I put in ~1/8 quart per fillup and I've noticed the oil consumption increases as the oil gets dirty.

Do you see any smoke at startup (and what color is it)??

 

If you don't see an oil leak, and you are going through a lot of oil, it can only be being burnt by the engine. How much oil are we talking here? A quart every 1000 miles is quite normal.

As far as your pressure problem, it is probably a loose connection at the sender, or a faulty sender itself. The sender is a cylindrical thing below the oil filter at the back of the engine. There is 1 wire going to it.

 

I've put in about 3 quarts of oil within the past week or so. This problem just recently started. The car starts up with NO Problem, but it's starting to consume the oil...and NO, I haven't seen any smoke!

 

Are you SURE there's no smoke or leak? Degrease the entire engine bay and check again. Because it sounds a lot like you're burning up the oil...Your side seals are going bad. However, most likely the engine will continue to run just fine in this condition, so you have lots of time to save for that rebuild.

 

Awh, I hate to hear, or should I say see the words (Rebuid). However, I haven't noticed any smoke, and the only oil spilliage I've noticed is around the oil filter, but it's NOT leaking to the ground.

 

you might have your local rotary specialty mechanic take a look at her if you don't think it's leaking/buring/or evaporting.

 

Ok, here's the deal regarding the oil gauge...I took off the oil sensor and cleaned both sender and sensor, and I wiggled the oil sensor wire, so now the oil gauge seems to be operating corretly...it is staying between 30 and 60..(However, I still can't determine which is bad)....so now I'm just waiting to see if the oil will stay put.

 

Well you may want to check the actuator for the oil metering pump.In northern climates they have a tendency to jam in the full open position.
I have seen oil consumption decrease from 1litre/500kms to 1 litre/1500km just by freeing the actuator.

 

Ok, what is a actuator, and where is it located?

 

S4 NA... the actuator comes off the throttle body arm as a rod and runs down the front passenger side to the MOP. Look for the 4 clear lines around the air pump, and follow the rod down to the bottom.

 

is it something I can adjust...what should I do when I find it...if this is the problem????