I have 1984 rx-7. with a 1987 turbo engine. When I start it up, after a few minutes smoke comes out of the exhaust. At first i thought it was oil, but now i realize it is my coolant. The smoke steadliy gets worse, until it is coming out so much it could fill a room in seconds. My car still has all its power, and starts perfectly. I was wondering what could cause this, and how to fix it.

Thanks

 

How do you know it's coolant smoke? Is the coolant level dropping in the rad? What does the smoke smell like? These cars often spew out a little smoke when first starting up, but by your description, your problem sounds like something more serious.

If it is, indeed, coolant smoke, it's likely that an internal engine coolant seal is not functioning--i.e., "blown". In that case, plan on rebuilding or replacing the engine. Do a simple test. Remove the radiator cap, start the engine and look for air bubbles coming up in the coolant. [A little turbulence is normal. bubbles are not.] If the bubbles don't disappear eventually, you almost certainly have an internal coolant seal problem.

 

I figure it is coolant smoke because my coolant level dropped from full to empty. I refilled it and started it and no bubbles came up. Does it have to run for a long time before the bubbles emerge? Also, my oil smells like gas really strongly, although people are saying it is just from flooding it. Besides it being my coolant seal, is there anything else that could cause this.

PS..I live an hour outside Ottawa, i was just wondering if anybody knows a good place to bring an RX-7 in that area.

thanks

 

pressure test the system. coolant burns white smells sweet. oil smelling like gas is common if your rich

 

it sounds like you blew a coolant seal to me, if thats what happend, your motor is basically toast and is gonna need to be rebuilt with other housings

 

rebuild time

 

Hold up there folks, I find it hard to believe that he blew his coolant seals and isn't pumping air into the system.

Are you losing oil at any rate?

 

As far as I can tell i am losing no oil. A few hours ago, i just changed my oil and oil filter and started it up. It smoked like usual, but this time there was a small amount of smoke coming from the motor. Coudl have been from a bit of spilled oil, but almsot postive its not. Had a more burn smell to it just not oilish smell.

 

when you start it, and it's smoking how long have you ran it for? does the smoke eventually go away or just keep coming and the coolant keeps getting lower?

 

After starting it up, it takes roughly two to three minutes before it begins to smoke then it steadily gets worse, the smoke never stops until i shot the engine off. Last year when it was doing this, it seemed to be mor bluish and so i figured it was my oil, as my coolant level never moved. This year after starting it teh coolant level dropped drastically. Since i last filled it up with coolant it doesnt seem like it has moved, yet. However, when i remove teh radiator cap, it slowly fils up and begins to pour out.

 

bump

 

yeah i'm pretty sure your coolant seals are toast

 

Throw a can of blue devil in the radiator its about 70 bucks,I had a bad coolant seal blowing coolant into the overflow it was bad.Did not have money for a rebuild a few years ago.Its the only **** that worked.It lasted 6 months untill I got my street port motor.

 

after leaving it run awhile, the oil gets extremely hot, the oil filter is hot, teh oil on teh dip stick is hot, and teh oil has a burn smell to it...is this also conncted to the coolant seal...also my motor gives off a small amount of smoke now.

 

or you can try that copper block weld stuff... works pretty good and helps make a temporary seal... only like 5 bucks at autozone