I bought a 90 RX7 convertible that had not been started in over 5 years and had a bad automatic transmission

After doing the standard start up procedures and installing a new fuel pump, the car started up and ran as smooth as silk, no smoke, no strange noises - perfect sounding motor. Let it run for a little while to check for leaks and all and it continued to do great.

Then on to the tranny. I checked it and it was as dry as a bone. SO I filled it with fluid expecting to see it filling the floor below but it didn't. so I started the car - all fo a sudden white smoke boils out of the exhaust and the motor starts missing. Apparently the tranny fluid is somehow pumping into the motor. The tranny works by the way. So what is the cause - bad seals, or? Not being a tranny guy I don't know where to start other than I am going to drain on the tranny fluid tomorrow night and also, drain the motor oil and replace it and the filter to get any ATF out of it.

Any advice? I don't think I hurt the motor any since I didn't let it run that long but certainly need an idea what to do next about the tranny - and no I don't want ot convert it to a 5 speed.

Thanks

Bob

1990 RX-7 Convertible
2004 RX-8

 

Is the tranny empty again after it ran?

 

not totally but it was leaking somewhat as it ran and it is muc lower so I think it was the fluid feeding through the engine somehow

 

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I didn't think that was even possible.

Hate to be the repetitive person, but get a manual tranny. There's no reason to even try to fix that auto tranny. As you can see, they're ****.

 

well it has to be related to the tranny fluid because it didn't smoke until I put fluid in the tranny.

Bob

 

Problem found - modulator valve is bad - causinga leak and causing fluid to be pumped back into motor. Simple fix - $45 part - easy to get to - no need to drop tranny. Yea, I know everyone wants me to convert it to a 5 speed but I really like to keep my cars all stock.