I'm pretty sure I need a new engine, but some people who know more than me about cars, are telling me that I might not. What do you think? I have a 1990 non turbo convertable with 180k miles. The engine pushes air into the radiator, so it gets pushed out through the the overflow nozzle over the coolant resevoir, so I have to add coolant at least once a day. The car rarely started strong like it used to and once it finally did, it would blow white smoke for a few minutes. Once it started, it would usually drive great, with the exception of it occasionally losing coolant, and the "add coolant" light coming on. That's a bitch. Generally, if I left it sitting for about an hour, it would start but if I went into a store or something for about 15 minutes, it wouldn't. It turns over strong, but just won't start. And when it did start, it turned over strong, for a long time before it would finally start. I think if it's flooding, I need a new engine. Not to mention the coolant problem. And I know it's not the radaitor, cause I've gotten two in the last three years. I love this car and I want to keep it. Oh, I forgot to mention that it doesn't start now, but you could have probably figured that, by my usage of it starting in the past tense. I think I need to get it rebuilt, what do you think?

 

gut feeling...yes...it's on it's way out...quickly

 

blown coolant seal.

 

You need to rebuild your engine, feel better now?

 

Any suggetstions?

 

deff needs a rebuild, one of the coolant seals crapped out on you. my suggestion? get a decent engine from the 4 sale section, put it in and save for a mazda reman. they are awsom. thats what i did, i got my used engine for 300 bux and dropped it in, 100k on the odometer, but it'll last long enough

 

sounds like you have a blown coolant seal or the seal retaining wall has eroded to the point where it no longer is holding the seal in place, allowing exhaust gases into your coolant system. The only repair for this is a rebuild.

 

Yes!
Next Question!

 

Rebuilding the rotary engine is not horribly difficult, but can be time consuming as precision is required for many parts. You will need some specific tools and parts. If you don't feel inclined to do this yourself, there are several groups that can rebuild the engine for you. Bonzai racing is one (he posted above) and Rotary Resurrection is another.

 

You need to rebuild your engine.