GeorgeB

As some of you might know, I just got my first FD RX-7 and am working out some of the initial mechanical problems. It is a '94 touring edition with 78k miles. So far, I had the rear main engine seal and o-ring replaced along with a new EGR valve. I am waiting for my warranty to be finalized before I do any more repairs, I fixed these other items because they were pre-existing or not covered by the warranty.
According to the RX-7 specialist who just worked on the car (Tripoint Engineering). The known remaining items are:
1) replacing the left motor mount
2) replacing some bushings and other parts to the rear suspension
3) replacing the intake manifold gasket (it is the original paper version), and most importantly
4) there are some engine seals that are leaking. This is a biggest job that I will have to wait a little bit before I have done.
There is definitely some white smoke that comes out of the exhaust when I first start it in the morning. Not a lot, but enough to notice. The exhaust is definitely stinky, even when there is no smoke. Is this from the engine seals?
I also smell some fuel when driving. I noticed it with the A/C or fan on and the recirculate button is off. What could be the cause if this? When I park I think I smell a little fuel somewhere by the engine but I can't tell exactly where it is coming from. It doesn't look like anything is leaking from the car.
And finally, there have been a few times when I have started the car, shifted into reverse, started to back up and the car has stalled. When I turn the key, nothing happens. The dashboard is lit but the engine does not turn over. I wait a few seconds, pull out the key, put it back in and it starts right up. I don't know if this is a loose connection in the ignition system or something else. It hadn't happened in almost a week but it has happend about 3-4 times.
Any comments on any of these issues would be greatly appreciated. I would like to take it back to the mechanic with some specific things to check out.

Thanks.

7-sins

Hey man I just got my first FD back in July, White 94 too Mine blows out a little white smoke when I start it sometimes but quickly clears up. It also smells toxic enough to kill animals and small children, not an oil smell though. I was talking one guy and he thought I was burning coolant because thats a sign these motors start to turn on you.... I've been checking my coolant level and it's just chillen. I have a brand new mazda reman engine though, so I am really hoping it's not my engine. Everyone else I have talked to said it was normal sometimes... Dave at KD rotary explained this huge list to me of what could make an engine smoke... I wish I still had that email. He mentioned leaky injectors... I think that might be a possibilty because I have noticed my car smelling like fuel expecially on the injector side of the engine. Sorry I don't have more answers on your questions, but good luck with the car.

Chris

KibagamiR2

The fuel smell could be coming from the pulse dampener, which MUST be replaced. We don't want an engine fire now do we?


-Kib

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

My FD also puffs some smoke when it starts if it's been sitting for a little while. I was told this was normal.

I don't know if this is correct or not, but what I was told is that oil is injected into the turbos. The smoke is just left over oil that didn't get burned in the turbos getting kicked out.

djantlive

If you smell gasoline under the hood, especially near the intake manifold, it could be a leaky injector (as someone pointed out) or a recall that's not done yet. Call Mazda and give them your VIN to check if all recalls on your 94 have been taken care of. There is a fuel line that needs to be replaced w/ a better one to withstand the high heat under hood. This caused fire in earlier RX7's and resulted in a recall.

GeorgeB

Thanks for the replies. It has been so helpful. I called Mazda soon after I bought the car and found out that all the recall fixes had been done. The leaky fuel injectors sounds like what might be causing the fuel smell. It is not incredibly strong but I can smell fuel through the vents if the recirculate button is off and after I park the car from a drive I can smell a little fuel from around the hood if I put my nose to it. God knows what my neighbors must think if they are looking. Anyway, I will definitely have that looked at when I bring it in to the shop. I also stood by the exhaust while the car wa idling today after it had been driven for a while. There isn't any white smoke and I do not smell any oil or coolant buring, it's just more exhaust than I am use to. Maybe, that is normal for this car. I'll keep you posted.

CantGoStraight

I've had two RX-7's now and both of them had the power antena worked on. On the bottom of the antena is a tube for water drainage. This tube if no placed back into the hole it belongs in will allow exaust gases back into the rear of the car, since in most cases these cars run rich the gas smell is rather pronounced. It is a pain in the butt to get this hose in the correct spot but it makes a big difference in keeping that smell from comming into the passenger area. Hope this helps, Jack