I was told I needed to watch something with the oil in an RX-7 FC.. what is it that needs attention? Oil consumption or what?

 

Oil level. The rotary burns oil by design. Not very rapidly, but you should check the oil when you get gas.

 

Fc's have a metering oil pump that dispenses an amount of oil via nozzles on the rotor housings and the LIM.
I'm not for sure on the actual amount of oil it is supposed to use for every so many miles, but if I remember correctly it uses more depending on the type of driving you do.
To be safe I used to check my oil every day or two, but I'm overly cautious.

 

I think most people use about 1qt/2000 miles.
I usually use about 1qt/2700 miles..

It all depends on how often/far you press the gas [on S4 cars it's literally connected to the throttle]

 

Normal consumption is about 1qt every 3,000 miles. The consumption will increase when the engine is worn down. Some people keep a spare quart of oil in the spare tire area.

 

1 qt./3000 miles is what I use up with my current low-mile engine. But the original 179k mile NA engine eventually got to the point where it would use about 1 qt./1000 miles. The oil control rings were allowing seepage into the combustion chambers.

 

here's a little tip for carrying a quart of oil. take a used water bottle and dry it out real good. fill it from your 5qt jug. now you have that nice little sport cap thing on the water bottle which makes it real easy to top the oil off without spilling and and making a mess.

 

I keep one of those no-spill oil spouts (about 2 bucks at an autoparts store) wrapped in a old rag below the leading coil. Works like a charm.

 

Yeah im burning one quart every 1.5k-3k depending on how hard i drive.

 

You have too keep an eye on it because it probably isn't that old and might do naughty things when your not watching.

 

Hmm, I just changed the oil for the first time since I owned it, have 3100 miles on it since last change by old owner, and it was maybe a quart low. Wasn''t much though. Never thought I should check it, if it is running good.

 

I don't use much oil with my new engine. Metering pump was tested and is fine.

I MIGHT have to top it off with 1/4 a quart after 2k miles. Motor has 5k on it.

 

That sounds like something my car illiterate little sister would say, something like "whats this oil can looking light flashing on my dash". I can't believe people don't check there oil at least once in between oil changes no matter if its a rotary or a hybrid, its still a good idea.

 

Some newer cars really spoil you with their lack of oil consumption. My wife's old '01 Integra GS-R never used a drop of oil between oil changes in the 7+ years we owned it. But her new (used) '06 Infiniti M35x actually does use a little oil. I discussed this with the Infiniti service manager and he said the amount of consumption I've seen is "within spec."

Of course, my years of rotary ownership cause me to check the oil in all my cars with every fuel fill-up, even if it is overkill most of the time.

 

Typically, "within spec" = whatever your car is doing, that way they don't have to do anything.
My friend's RX-8 is eating a quart every 1000 miles and the dealer is telling him that's "within spec" and "perfectly normal". He wants the motor warranteed and they want to keep giving him coupons for free oil changes.

 

Not a great idea to let the oil level drop, but if you don't check the oil level the little rotary will tell you it needs oil as the low oil warning buzzer can be heard as it is loud, that is if it's functioning properly.

 

Guess I am illiterate because I always drive new cars and never have to even worry about oil EVER. A 09 is my DD. First RX7 for me. Guess I am supposed to know everything about this car right off. Oh maybe because I am illiterate I don't know everything.
First off,
If your gonna use a word, use it correctly cause I can read and write, (the first meaning of illiterate if you wanna know.) Maybe you might use it right next time. Or the 2nd meaning of it is "having little to no education" boy I guess I spent 17 years in school for nothing. Through HS & college if you need me to add it up for you.

Not to be an *** or anything but WTF did I do to you to deserve being called names, like a child would do. GROW UP.

All over 1 person, new to RX7's and all, for not checking the oil. Seems to me if it isn't showing signs of oil consumption, you shouldn't have to check it. Cars not leaking, not blue smoke, not stinkin like oil, ect. No oil light, and yes it works, oil pressure is fine.

Sorry all, but his comment was not needed and do not act like this until provoked.

 

Correct, it will let you know, way BEFORE you could do any damage. This is why I don't check it. There is a purpose for the light and buzzer and yes it would turn on way before it was empty.

 

Meh, don't be so reactionary, people can be rather snippy here. It's rather normal, and I can say that rx7club is far better that most forums in that regard.

You don't NEED to check your oil level every time you get gas unless you have a high mileage engine, or you drive it like a race car everywhere you go.

Like I said, my brand new engines oil consumption is so low in fact, I could not ever check it and be perfectly fine until the next oil change. Later in my engines life as things start to wear, yeah, the oil consumption will go up.

Me personally, I check my car over thoroughly every week, including oil,vacuum lines, fuel lines....the whole thing. Is that generally necessary? No. Why do I do it? Just to be on the safe side.

What I am getting at, in summary, is that how often you need to check and how much it will consume over any given period of time directly correlates with your driving habits and engine mileage.

 

Vermont, I guess you are just one of those people that just know how to turn a key and drive, if something is wrong a light or buzzer will come on. Go buy a Toyota if that's you. I said you sound like my CAR illiterate little sister, I can clearly see you know how to read and wright if you are on the board. All I was saying that if you own anything with an engine, new or used, you should check the fluids at least once between oil changes.

 

Well I do like turing the key and driving. I do all my regular maintenance myself, work on all my cars by myself, so long as I can. My cars never seen a shop for neglect, never has, never will. I do not neglect cars, and with the rx7 being almost a dream car to me, I will for sure not neglect it.
I do check my fluids ect always, when they are supposed to be checked. I have never had a cars oil needed be be constantly checked, unless it was leaking, burning, ect. Why would you need to if it is running great. I guess the RX is different in this aspect and this is how you learn. Im sure you have learned something from this site due to someone pointing it out, like on this thread for me.

But like said, it had 3100 miles on oil change and obviously, (5qt bucket) it was at just the 4 qt. mark showing very little oil consumption. Its 4.7 qt full right? Now with that shown to me, why would I hav to constantly keep checking it? Was I lucky? Maybe. Is it low mileage car? Not by any means, it just rolled over 126K miles 3 days ago.
But who knows, it could be a different motor than original, owner didnt know much about it.