Jim Calandrella

I know my water pump is leaking ever so slightly, and i've already ordered a new one, but, I didn't know if the leak would cause what is happening.
Basically, I drove the car a little hard yesterday(only a couple of pulls). I was on 10psi as well, so it wasn't really too much of a beat run at all.
So i'm driving home late last night, and my coolant light comes on. I'm wierded out by it, and stop at a gas station to pick up some antifreeze. I added it to the reservior on the passenger side front of the car, as I didn't want to open the filler cap. So, the light went out for 20 minutes, and then comes back on, only it's going on and off again every 10 seconds. I can't seem to find a leak, but it's been raining here so it's hard to tell. I also opened the filler cap this morning, and there was antifreeze in there.
The coolant light first came on after I intstalled some rebuilt turbos. The turbos were pristine as well. Back then, about amonth ago, I just added some coolant thinking it was an air bubble. I'm going to flush the system, and see what happens, but anyone have any ideas?
The motor has about 10,000 miles on it, never been run really hard, and never been above 10psi. I'm a little wierded out. This can't be a coolant seal? Can it? I don't see any smoke.

Trexthe3rd

Do a search with keyword coolant and sitback, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy.

Jim Calandrella

That does not sound good.

Snook

iTrader: (12)

I wouldn't be worried at all. I don't think the level of boost is significant if the cooling system is functioning fine. The questions that need to be answered are do you have an aftermarket water temp gauge? What was the temperature when the buzzer was going off. If it was 185ish and your sensor is installed at a point before the thermostat than the buzzer must indicate a low level of coolant. The fact that you checked the level of the coolant it and it was full makes it sound like it is not the slight leak from the water pump but a problem with the coolant level sensor on the water pump. Maybe you bumped the wire while installing the turbos and it is loose that's why it comes on and goes off.

Once again if you have never overheated the motor it is very unlikely that it is the coolant seals. What type of motor is it? If it is a reman you should have a one year warranty? Is that a 12k 1 year warranty? I would not even start thinking about it being the motor because I honestly doubt that. Start by going through the wiring of the temp sensors and then replace your water pump and see what you get. If you don't have an aftermarket water temp gauge I would suggest not driving the car until you get one hooked up so you can see what is happening. (but I'm sure you do already)

Good luck don't sweat it.

Red-Rx7

Here is my recomendation....

Start basic, and then work your way up from there.

When the engine is cold, start the car without the waterneck cap on. It shouldn't spill out or anything. When the engine is cold, very little activity should be in there. If you see coolant in the waterneck, and the buzzer is going off; then it is most likely a bad sending unit. The buzzer unit is in the housing, a few inches down from the cap. You can see the little wire off the front neck area. After your car warms up and the thermostat opens, shut the car off.

Do this first and let us know the results if the buzzer is beeping or not.

Mike

JONSKI

There is a coolant level sensor below the filler neck that is responsible for setting off the low coolant light and buzzer. They are known to go bad but it could just be a loose connection. There is white, single-wire connector at the base of the filler neck. You will need to remove an IC pipe and it's brace to get it. When I was doing the hose job it broke right off and I had to replace the piece of wire that went to it.

Here's a pic of the connector. It's on the right side and next to the blue phantom EGR connector.

Jim Calandrella

Snook, the motor is a reman, and I do have the warranty you mentioned. I'm just not looking forward to putting in another motor(that would be 3, one a year for my time with th car so far).
I was going to start at the sensor first(I did a little reading). I haven't yet heard the buzzer you guys are talking about, and i'm guessing that's a good thing. I've had water temps reach 210 (maybe a little higher), but the fans go on and bring it down to about 180, sometimes less. I was told that those temps are normal when i've mentioned it to friends. I don't know if that's what you mean by over heating. I've never seen steam or anything if that's what you mean.
Thanks for the test idea Red-rx7. I will try that Tuesday, as i'm working all day and night tomorrow.
Thanks for the picture Jonski, that was really helpfull. It could totally be a bad connection, because the light was going on and off every ten seconds...........on for 10....off for 10......with the exception of a half hour period on the highway. And, it went off again after that.
Thanks for the info guys. Despite your input, i'm still a wreck... I will not be sleeping well until Tuesday(after I do the test).
Thanks again
Jim

SpiritR

The leak at the water pump is it. It will leak more when you drive, BUT thats not the bad part, but part is it will also suck in AIR.

A properly running engine in a RX7 can effect your boost. When was the last time you flushed the coolant?

Jim Calandrella

I should clarify that I was running 10psi willingly. The problem i'm having is not affecting boost at this time.
I flushed the coolant about 6 months ago, but i'm sure that the water pump wasn't leaking at that point.
I'm awaiting a water pump and thermostat from RX7.com. and they seem to be taking their time getting it to me.

Jim Calandrella

OK. Although I have not been able to do the test mentioned above, I did some research, as well as some thinking.
My guess(although not absolute), is that SpiritR is right. This is why.
I got my first coolant light ever, after putting in the new turbos. After some talking with trusted sources, I(we) deduced that it was an air pocket that was causing the light. I added coolant at that time, and didn't see another light for a while. That was until my water pump started leaking. I believe that air is in fact getting into the system through the pump, and that the light going on and off, coincides with the thermostat opening and closing.
While I can't say i'm positive of this theory, I am leaning towards it.
We'll see. I still haven't had time to get to looking at the car. I'll let you know anything that I find.
Thanks for all your input.

Jim Calandrella

Well, I went to KD, and had a new water pump, thermostat, and AST deletion done. I also had the cooling system flushed. The coolant light has gone away, and not come on. I will be beating on the car tonight to see if anything happens. I think it was the leaking water pump that was causing the light(air pockets).
I also had a new fuel pulsation dampener put in as well. No more smelling like a gas station everywhere I go.
Thanks for all the input guys. It all helped quite a bit.