TheSTIguy

im going to look at a convertable 5 speed with 140k miles what should i look for i know if it starts smokin that means engine no good and its burning oil?

Acesanugal

iTrader: (5)

Well, Rotary engines burn oil as a natural process. But excessive blue-ish smoke comin' out the back can be trouble. But frankly, I'd be more concerned with excessive white smoke.

http://aaroncake.net/RX-7/buy1.htm

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

Yep, thats the best link I've found on what to look for. Also carefully look over the top for rips, etc.

rotary roderick

i got the same blue-ish smoke with my 91. im new to all this, what does the smoke mean?

Rotarctica

Burning oil

Acesanugal

iTrader: (5)

Oil seals, I believe.

TheSTIguy

what if the car wasent turned on for 2 weeks should it smoke a lot for a few mins then settle down or what should i expect?

Acesanugal

iTrader: (5)

Two weeks? I wouldn't expect much more than a big puff of smoke for a few seconds at the most. Assuming it's a O.K. motor, and not horrible or amazingly great. I could be wrong, though. Opinions, anyone else?

TheSTIguy

because i remember my dad saying how you know a rotery engine is bad if it starts smokinn for long long time after its been on it has after market exhaust and headers and alot of goodies

Acesanugal

iTrader: (5)

I generally stay away from pre-modded cars. Why do you modify a car? Usually, to go faster... And some people don't know what in **** they are doing. I like to find stock gems.

anewconvert

iTrader: (1)

A rotary injects oil as a lubricant into the intake to keep the rotor faces lubricated. When it sits some of that oil can and will leak into the intake/combustion chamber and will burn off when you start the car. Its normal. If its been sitting for a while it can smoke for 20-30 seconds, but then it should diminish and eventually go away. If it smokes white a coolant seal has let go. If it constantly smokes blue an oil seal may have gone or the omp (oil metering pump) is just dumping oil into the intake. Either case, not good.

Look at Aaron Cakes website and take that list with you. If you arent satisfied with that vert take a look at mine in the for sale section. there arent many in as good condition as mine is.

BC

TheSTIguy

can the cold contribute to the smoke?? cuz its pretty cold here so if it smokes for 5 mins means stay away?

Acesanugal

iTrader: (5)

If the temperatures outside are pretty low, any car is going to shoot out visible exhaust due to it being hot and the air being cold.

TheSTIguy

crap now how can i tell if its the damn car or the weather if its from the car it will be thick smoke right??

anewconvert

iTrader: (1)

When its cold the "smoke" that comes out is condensation in the form of steam. It has little to no smell and is white and wispy. Coolant is thicker and smells sweet. Oil is blue and may or may not smell strongly. the cold can make seals contract letting a little more oil into the car than in warmer climates.


a sick car is going to present more than just the smoke. It will underperform when you get on it, will possibly miss, and will in general not look like a good car. Rarely are you going to find a car that doesnt present problems while you are driving it and then it just dies on you.

I HIGHLY suggest you think twice about a car that doesnt have a service record. thats part of the reason Im only asking $2500 for my vert. I have no records from the previous owner. I suggest you think twice about a car if the owner has no idea what he is talking about, or looks/acts like a moron. use your gut. there are PLENTY of fc's out there, and you should keep that in mind. This isnt a rare Ferrari GTO that you just have to get when you see it. Its an FC. Its not rare.

Take arrons guide with you, and look over the car every carefully. Dont buy it on the spot unless its in very very good shape and the owner is underpricing it. If it gets sold out from under you, oh well.

Again, look at my for sale ad.


BC

TheSTIguy

it has sum stuff im not familer with so u guys can help and explain what they are
-thermo pellet replaced with mazdatrix plug ???? meaning???
-Torsen type LSD with 4.3 final drive ring & pinion ????

micah

The 4.3 rear end is sweet... The thermo pellet is the pellet that controls the flow of oil through the eccentric shaft and the jets onto the back face of the rotors... So, I'm not sure what the mazdatrix plug is... but it sounds like he has it plugged open... so its always pumping oil. Lots of people do this.. Its pretty safe from what I hear.

TheSTIguy

doesent that mean it burns alot of oil?

micah

This post is great though. makes me feel really good about my purchase. Full service records, feels like a nice car.. I didn't buy it on the spot, the guy was cool about everything, I talked them down a bit, It was cold when I bought it.. so it was hard to tell about the whole smoke thing.. but its not blue... it puffs white smoke at start-up... which I'm assuming is condensation, because there's no coolant in my oil, and no oil in my coolant, and its not losing coolant...

But anyways... Aaron Cake's buying guide is the best!

Also, if you don't have fun driving it.... don't buy it - Drive it HARD during the test drive. Rev high and shift hard.... thats a good way to test it.

micah

No... Just means a lot of oil is flowing through the engine... and returns to the pan.. the Oil Metering Pump is a separate network of oil (kinda) and is injected into the engine. I've never seen one of these stick open... but.. I've only owned 5 FC's... so... yeah.