Romwin

Ok, this is my sob story....

I have a '94 model, twin turbo, black, leather interior with all the factory addons. I bought a year and a half ago with 58k miles. From the start I knew the turbos were bad. I drove it for about 8k miles before I put it in the shop (I know... Ima dumb-***).

Well, bringing it into the shop I already knew that the turbos were bad, had a good feeling the radiator was about threw and the exhaust needed replacing. The technician looked around and agreed. So we replace those, plus the air bos, some hoses, gaskits, clamps, studs, bolts... you get the idea.

He cranked it up today and told me that after 10 minutes of running the car that it boosted perfectly, and ran fine until he parked it. He said that the engine was pushing water back through the radiator causing it to bubble up around the caps. Now, with the old radiator having cracks in it, he said that this problem wasn't noticable before, and now that there is a new radiator with no cracks that theres no where else for the water to go but push up through the caps.

The solution, the tech says, is to replace the engine. What do all of you think? Any Advice is welcome.

Crashunit

Are you sure its not your AST (Air Seperation Tank)? They are the most notorious for cooling problems.

mightyslash

Yeah, I think you might need a rebuild.

AARotary

First of all you are in South Carolina, just wanted to know the shop where your car is at are they good in rotary, if they are fine if they aren't and how far do you line away from the below address place cause they are really good in rotary, have a good rotary mechanic check your car before you are going to spent $$$$ on something you don't need.

Rotorsportsracing(www.rotorsportsracing.com)
We are located between Kannapolis and Mooresville,NC approximately 25 miles North of Charlotte, NC. Our address is 465 Russell Farm Rd. Kannapolis, NC 28081 (704) 933-6222

AARotary

First of all you are in South Carolina, just wanted to know the shop where your car is at are they good in rotary, if they are fine if they aren't and how far do you line away from the below address place cause they are really good in rotary and have an excellent customer service, have a good rotary mechanic check your car before you are going to spent $$$$ on something you don't need.

Rotorsportsracing(www.rotorsportsracing.com)
We are located between Kannapolis and Mooresville,NC approximately 25 miles North of Charlotte, NC. Our address is 465 Russell Farm Rd. Kannapolis, NC 28081 (704) 933-6222

Romwin

Im in North Carolina, Kinston to be specific. My car is at a shop called "The Rx-7 Shop" in Wilson, North Carolina.

Its funny you mention Charlotte (or being close to Charlotte) because Ive been waiting to get my car back to move to Charlotte. But, with my car being in the shop since the first week of November Im not sure if my job offers are still going to be good. Now the wait will be even longer.

Let me know if you know anything about the Rx-7 shop or the owner... I can IM you to give you his name, but i dont want to put it up for all to see.

Thanks

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Just as everyone else stated, I'd do the following:

First, check the Air Separator Tank... Next, get a second opinion from another rotary mechanic....

If the engine doesn't need to be rebuilt, a $40 towing bill to another mechanic could save you a few thousand in the end...

evel333

Romwin, perhaps try a pressure test on the cooling system to see if any coolant is getting past your o-rings. If so, that might explain the bubbles under the cap: too much pressure from exhaust gases getting into the cooling system. That's how I found out last year when I needed a rebuild. Good luck to you.

Romwin

evel, yea, we did a pressure test when we installed the new radiator and hoses. Everything checked out fine with that.

Thanks

P'cola FD

After draining the cooling system you're sure to get some air in there. Make sure to top it off completely several times. Then go behind your car and smell the exhaust. If it smells sweet like coolant then you're in trouble if not you should be ok.

evel333

Actually Romwin, I wasn't specific enough about the pressure test and should have added earlier to pull a plug from each housing and start the engine. If coolant shoots out the hole(s), it's rebuild time. If you already did this, please disregard my post.

jumprdude

make sure you clean under the spring cap on the coolant pressure cap (the one on the AST). Dirt tends to build up under there and causes it to not hold pressure. Just clean thoroughly under the metal cap where it goes over the rubber seal.

If it does not hold pressure this could be your problem. If you hear coolant gurgling under the passenger side on a cold start then most probably the coolant seals are gone too. If its not too bad you could probably drive it around some (checking the coolant in the AST and overflow tank very frequently). You will know when it becomes too bad to be able to drive.

Good luck!

silver93

Visit Steve C.'s site and do a search on coolant for more info
http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/index.html

Romwin

Just checked the spark plugs and there is antifreeze on them.

P'cola... yup, coolant smell in the exhaust....
A lot of white smoke on cold start...

So anyone know a good place to get a J-spec Twin Turbo?

evel333

Try Corksport.com for starters. They also offer 20Bs!

Romwin

Well I just found a '99 J-spec engine! had 20k miles and then rebuilt. Cost was $1900.

Delivery is on Friday! Man im so stoked, 4 months of not having a car, 4 months of pain and agony may almost be over!

evel333

It ain't over yet, you still have installation to deal with! (^_^)

But I feel your excitement. About three months for my down time last year from Sept. to Dec., not to mention not having my car during Lent earlier last year. (I kid you not: car broke down on the first day of and was fixed/returned by the last day of Lent! 40 days, 40 nights!)


I'm curious: Is it just the engine? Or does it come with the new Hitachi turbos as well? Couldn't be for that price...

mike09

how did you get that engine

mike09

how did you get that engine

Romwin

Got the engine from a company called "Japan Direct". They're located in Raleigh, NC. Their phone number is: 919-781-1397 and they have a web site at
http://www.usedengine.com

Evel... Im not sure what all is coming on the engine. Should have a clutch, fuel injectors, harness and possible turbos but They weren't done rebuilding it when I spoke with em last. Guess Ill just find out at delivery time. Once I know for sure though, ill post it.