Hey, I just got back from Jiffy lub and the guy changing the oil said that he thinks my engine head gasket is blown. He said there water comming out of the oil fillup hole (not sure what to call that thing). He found some white looking cream in there. Any ideas what the white stuff was?

Does this guy know what he talking about? Do you guys agree with this guy?

If so, do you think that most mechanics will be able to replace something like a head gasket? I'm don't live too close to any FD's specialists (bay area, CA).

The car seems to run fine. Should I not drive the car until its fixed?

Any idea what something like this might cost?

Thanks for your help

Sebastian

 

well your engine has no "heads" so im not sure what crap that person was feeding you. does your car smoke any? if yes when.

 

Do you still have the REW? Because rotary engines don't have head gaskets man. So... No, this guy is a moron and should never be seen again.

 

a blown head gasket? r u serious?

If you are in the Bay Area there are alot of reputable rotary shops here. Try doing a search and you will most likely find one close to you.

 

You need to read up about rotary engines

 

first of all rx7's dont have head gaskets unless there was a v8 engine swap. i dont know how familiar you are with rx7s but they have rotary engines, not piston engines. the best way I can explain that is to think of a dorito chip rotating inside a peanut shell.

that cream looking stuff is just condensation build up in the oil. this usually occurs in colder climates. so you definately have water in there. not sure where the water would be coming from though

 

It's condensation. Clean it off, as long as the oil does not look like milkshake it is perfectly normal.

 

Jimmy Lube.......Blown head gasket.....cream in the oil.....

all of these ingredients add up to bullshit !

Follow the recommendations above, especially about rotary engines.



Later

 

+1
specially in the cold weather. BTW never take any car to jiffy lube. Obviously, they have no clue.

Start reading here

http://www.rotaryengineillustrated.com/animations.html

 

This thread and the responses should be a good learning experience for you. Research on the rotary engine. It is engineering and design that is definitely "outside of the box". You should really learn about whats under your hood, for your own protection. You don't want to take it to a shop that has no experience....it will cost you dearly in the end. And FYI, places like Jiffy Lube don't employ ASE Certified mechanics. They train the guys on how to change oil and how to show you a dirty air filter that probably doesn't need to be replaced. Good luck.

Steve

 

what's greater is that i had the same thing happen at a Jiffy Lube too; then i told him it was a rotary and he got all cockheaded and confused.

i said wow

 

head gasket!!!!!

 

Maybe a coolant seal if anything.... Take it to Rotorsport here is the website... www.rotorsport2.com talk to Paul he knows what hes doing...

Chris

 

I blew my headgasket when my blinker fluid got too low. You should check that first...

 

i was waiting for someone to chime in with a comment like blinker fluid. classic.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/rotary-engine.htm

very simple explanation.

 

we'll I feel totally schooled but definetely in a good way. What a load off. Thanks everyone from the quick and informative response.

In response to some of your questions. No it doesn' smoke.

A few of you have shown some consern of a possible broken seal and/or why the water is in the engine in the first place? Most have said this is normal though.

Should I look into why water is in there or is it truly normal?

If I don't have to, I'd rather not take it to the shop right now as its my daily ride to work. However, it you think it could cause engine problems later I will definetely find some time soon.

Thanks again for you help guys,

Seb

 

Although this guy obviously dosent know rotary engines, if he was able to spot water IN your oil then thats not good. Even if his diagnosis was wrong on whats causing it.

piston engine or not, the fact that he said your headgasket was screwed is irrellevant - just means hes a retard and dosent know rotarys, you still had water in your oil (im assuming). The tech just didnt know the reason for it.

Check your coolant for traces of oil and your oil for traces of coolant. If either are mixed you proberbly have a coolant seal problem.

If it was just some gunk built up around the oil FILLER cap then thats ok, if water came OUT the DRAIN hole mixed with oil thats bad.

you should have clarified with him if it was water in your oil, or just white gunk built up around the oil filler.

do the champaign test, that should tell you if your coolant seals are screwed or if the tech is just a retard.

good luck

 

where would I be able to find out about this "champaign test'', both my rx7 and rx8 have oil coolant problems.

edit:

sorry guys, just dug further in the search and found out what it was, just remove the cap and start the car to see if bubbles come out, one question though, which cap do I remove, the one on the tank closest to the engine or the cap that says filler by the smic?

 

stay away from jiffy lube, pepboys, and sears. find a good rotary shop and you will enjoy the car more and not get B.S advise

Jeff

 

lets just make something clear. Just because someone is not knowledgeable about rotary engines doesnt make them a retard or a moron. if that were so then 90% of the entire population of the U.S. would be retarded. a lot of those guys that work at jiffy lube or valvoline express are kids that change oil and check fluids. you do not need to be a professional technician to hold those jobs.

Granted, he probably does not have the credentials to be giving mechanical advise to a customer but there is no need to belittle him.

 

so you bought a 7 without knowing about the most important part of it?

 

NOOB lol

heres some history

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wankel_engine

 

yea you should tell the guy at spiffy lube to chk his muffler bearings and blinker fluid!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......... OIL CHANGES SHOULD BE DONE IN YOUR GARAGE, THATS AS EASY AS IT GETS!!!!!! and definitely take it to a specialist if you dont wanna DIY.........and stick with whats written above....

 

Here you go:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...threadid=37361

 

at least the OP found this site !!

He's as good as saved!