TMarsland

I know I should've used search, but there's so many different opinions on all these questions, that I'd like to see 'em all in one place, so here goes:

Just bought a '94 RX-7 last November, and it's pure stock, with 58800 miles. I haven't done a thing to it yet, but want to do what I can for reliability, then for performance. I've driven the car off and on over the past 5 months, but nothing real big.Got a few questions if you have the time to write.
1. What fluids do you reccommend changing out right away?
2. Do you have a How-To for that?
3. How often do you change those fluids?
4. Is there an easier way to re-do the rat's nest other than trying to follow the diagram?
5. What's the best way to go about finding an oil leak? I have a small leak (about 2 -3 drops per day)
6. What am I looking for when I inspect my brakes for wear?
7. What's the optimal idle for my car?
8. I have some slight rust at the front of my sunroof where the seal meets the roof. Could I fix that at home? If so, how?

Last but not least, in what order do you reccommend doing all these upgrades, including reliability, and, after doing all this on your car, is there anything you'd do differently?

Thank you for your time, and I hope I hear from you soon.

Enconsiderate

1. Replace all. Might as well. From your questions I feel you have done little if anything to your car to keep it up. Replace the coolant, motor oil, transmission oil, differential oil, and even your fuel filter. Even change your spark plugs.
2. How-To? Buy a manual, do searches and look at the following links:
http://www.rx7turboturbo.com/robrobinette/howtos.htm

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/

3. how often:

motor oil: 2000-2500mi
trans, & diff oils: 15000mi
fuel filter & spark plugs: 10000-15000mi
coolant: 15000mi

4. get some help!!!! do not do alone!!!!

5. dye that you put in oil that shows up with uv light. or clean the area with oil really really well then after running the car for a little while see if you can trace it. where is the oil coming from (general area)?

6. your brake pads need to be a certian thickness. i dont know how thick off the top of my head but do a search and i'm sure you'll find an answer.

7. optimal idle:

start up w/ aws ~ about 2700 rpm
after aws ~ about 1200 rpm
after warm 800 ~900 rpm

8. primer. again maybe you should have someone else take care of it. if you have never sanded, primer, and painted any car parts.

9. do all. do lots of searches. be patient. have cash in a savings account ready for emergencies. GET A WORKSHOP MANUAL.

TMarsland

bump. Anybody else care to reply? As for not taking care of the car, I haven't driven it even a hundred miles, and I replaced the oil. Other than that it's pretty much been sitting in my garage ever since I got it.

Sonny

I think Econsiderate covered it pretty well. I just got my car recently and I'm in the same boat as far as maintenance. Get the workshop manual. I got mine for $45 on eBay.

BTW-I used Redline MTL in the tranny, Redline 75w90 in the diff, and Castrol 20w50 in the engine with a Mazda filter.

Here's the guy that sells OEM Mazda parts for excellent prices:
Ray Crowe
Parts Manager
Malloy Mazda
1889 Opitz Blvd.
Woodbridge, VA 22191

(703) 490-8170
(703) 490-3864 FAX
(888) 533-3400 TOLL FREE
E-mail: hmkparts@aol.com


Sonny