3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Coolant Seals

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-29-21, 03:35 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Kwpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 72
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Coolant Seals

Had a previous problem with idle hunting. Unplugged the air control valve and it idled normal for about 5 minutes. Was also in process of flushing coolant and car started to idle hunt. I let it run for about 10 minutes hoping to burp the system but started to see the constant little bubbles. From my understanding this is a sign of a blown coolant seal. Car has no white smoke coming out of the exhaust only the constant bubbles and strange idle. I shut the car off when it got about to 82c. Any ideas? Coolant also looked darker.




Old 05-30-21, 06:49 AM
  #2  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,021
Received 866 Likes on 615 Posts
Doesn’t appear to be coolant seal related. I think what you’re seeing is just turbulence from the water pump. The loping idle is probably a separate issue.
The IAC will get dirty over time but is easy to remove and clean up with carb cleaner. Not sure it will cure the idle issue but can’t hurt.

Last edited by Sgtblue; 05-30-21 at 06:54 AM.
Old 05-30-21, 07:18 AM
  #3  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Kwpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 72
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
Doesn’t appear to be coolant seal related. I think what you’re seeing is just turbulence from the water pump. The loping idle is probably a separate issue.
The IAC will get dirty over time but is easy to remove and clean up with carb cleaner. Not sure it will cure the idle issue but can’t hurt.
thanks for the positive feedback. I will clean the IAC. After the funnel emptied back into the rad there was some residue left in funnel. Looked like a thin film of dirt.
Old 05-30-21, 08:07 AM
  #4  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,021
Received 866 Likes on 615 Posts



When you changed coolant did you drain the block? There is a separate drain for that which is sometimes overlooked. If you didn’t it may just be some gunk from old coolant that was stranded in the engine.

Re: the loping idle my first suspect is usually a vacuum leak.

Last edited by Sgtblue; 05-30-21 at 08:18 AM.
The following users liked this post:
j9fd3s (05-30-21)
Old 05-30-21, 09:19 AM
  #5  
RX-7 Bad Ass

iTrader: (55)
 
DaleClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,399
Received 2,438 Likes on 1,509 Posts
Seeing some dirt in the funnel is normal. There ends up being crap in the cooling system over time.

Dale
Old 05-30-21, 06:09 PM
  #6  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Kwpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 72
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally Posted by Sgtblue



When you changed coolant did you drain the block? There is a separate drain for that which is sometimes overlooked. If you didn’t it may just be some gunk from old coolant that was stranded in the engine.

Re: the loping idle my first suspect is usually a vacuum leak.
I drained the coolant from the block as well. I pulled the UIM today and cleaned out the IAC. Problem still persists. If I do start the car with the IAC unplugged it seems to run normal for 3-5 minutes. After that it goes back to loping. I swapped out a bunch of vacuum lines today but no luck. I also tried to adjust the cruise and throttle cable with no luck as well. I’m headed out of town again tomorrow so will have some time to do some research before I get back after it.
Old 05-30-21, 06:11 PM
  #7  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Kwpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 72
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Originally Posted by DaleClark
Seeing some dirt in the funnel is normal. There ends up being crap in the cooling system over time.

Dale
I tried to burp the system again today and it didn’t look as bad so I feel better not thinking I may had blown a seal. That and I still have zero smoke out of the exhaust.
Old 06-03-21, 10:01 AM
  #8  
Senior Member

iTrader: (11)
 
mecman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 643
Received 18 Likes on 15 Posts
Sounds like you have a vacuum leak somewhere. If you are running the stock sequential turbo set up like I am I would start by checking each of your vacuum lines, your check valves, that your pressure/vacuum tanks are not leaking and especially the line to the map sensor. If that doesn't work you might need to start checking each of the solenoids individually. When I went through the entire rats nest I could not believe how well my car ran and how well the twin turbos worked afterwards. I realized this is how it was supposed to run normally, but as these cars age there is a lot of little things that can begin to fail. This is why so many people simplify the vacuum system or go single turbo. Personally, I like the sequential set-up and will probably upgrade the the BNR twins soon.
Old 06-03-21, 10:46 AM
  #9  
Full Member

iTrader: (1)
 
R1chard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 108
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
So for what is worth... When I had trouble with my idle, I was getting internment idle hunting, high idle (like 2800 - 3300 rpm) and then other times it would just work and idle normally. Long story short, the throttle cable was just a smidge too tight. I only discovered this after cleaning the IAC, checking voltages, checking for vacuum leaks, replacing gaskets. Anyways, don't forget to just reach over and verify that the throttle cable isn't sticking.
Old 06-03-21, 10:53 AM
  #10  
Urban Combat Vet

iTrader: (16)
 
Sgtblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mid-west
Posts: 12,021
Received 866 Likes on 615 Posts
If it’s not a vacuum leak from a hose or connection consider checking gaskets...TB or at the UIM/LIM.
Old 06-07-21, 10:40 AM
  #11  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Kwpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 72
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
I was fiddling around with the throttle cable adjustment but either had idle surging or extremely high idle, no in between. UIM gasket was recently changed and I flipped it twice since I was still getting the same outcome. I am in need of a retune so I'm sure the shop will find out that the problem was something small that I have overlooked. Thanks for all the suggestions. Whenever I get the car back I will post the solution.
Old 11-20-22, 08:15 PM
  #12  
Full Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
Kwpilot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: TN
Posts: 72
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Update on the bouncing idle. I left the country for an extended amount of time and dropped the car off with Banzai. Surging idle found to be caused by the idle speed control. Since the AC was removed from the car the ISC was disabled. Wanted to post in case someone runs into the same issue.
The following 3 users liked this post by Kwpilot:
DaleClark (11-23-22), Howard Coleman (11-21-22), level7 (11-21-22)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
maaaaackle
New Member RX-7 Technical
7
04-27-14 04:09 PM
ultrataco
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
23
05-03-09 08:10 AM
tajabaho1
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
19
08-27-08 07:12 PM
MADDSLOW
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
43
11-20-07 10:02 PM
savana
General Rotary Tech Support
7
03-25-05 12:00 PM



Quick Reply: Coolant Seals



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:29 AM.