bryanb

Hey guys, I am a noob to the forums, names Bryan - nice to meet you guys! I got an FD and I am in Japan (planning to take it back to Australia with me).

Anyway I started her up today and after about 2 minutes it felt like half the engine cut out or something, then after 7 mins of running, white smoke (coolant im pretty sure) was smoking out from beneath the main rotor housing. Really strange as the night before it was purring like a cat. It has 90k on the odometer, I also recently changed the battery and about a month before that did a service on the spark plugs/oil.

Do you guys think I need to just bite the bullet and rebuild it or is there something simple that could fix this?? I have searched the archives but I think I am a noob at searching so IDK my way around so to speak.

Also I have a hard time getting the car in gears, I am not sure if this would be the gear syncs or my clutch giving way??

I think I might have bought a lemon eh....?

Anyones advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
-Bryan

P.S. I also do source car parts if anyone needs some JDM stuff then I can see what I can do for you .

Lionheart

You got it. Better do a rebuild now, knowing it has been done is for your own sake.
I had a car running strong too with 85.000km original then coolant leak....
Better now (in Japan) than later, just my thought so far.

You better prepare for some smack in this forum. Do SEARCH correctly, there was/were other guys around telling they could get stuff from Japan --> this Forum is sponsored, only dealers are offering (need to respect that too).

Just be prepared to get some "nice" comments around here ;-)

regards

L

bryanb

Hey man, thanks for the comment! I was looking on the japanese search engine and yeah rebuilds are quite cheap here, so I think I will go ahead with it here, just with the gearbox though do you think it sounds like just the clutch needs replacing or the syncs are done too?? If thats the case I should just get a low km half cut and do the whole thing ey?

Yeah I didn't mean to butt into anyones business, just trying to be friendly hehe :P.

Do you think it would be wise to get the turbos rebuilt while I am at it too, as it does blow white smoke when I first start it up (which would be aging turbos yeah?)

Kind Regards,
-Bryan

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I would start with just getting the transmission fluid flushed. If you still have issues after that, then just purchased a lower mileage used transmission. I would imagine they are a dime a dozen over there.

As far as the turbos, the USA based guys just generally get used ones as parts are hard to come by over here for rebuilds (and the rebuilds don't generally last that long). For us, the rebuild parts are about $200 and used good stock turbos sell for about that price. I would suggest just getting a used set but over there, you may have better sources for turbo rebuilds which may make it a viable option.

BigWillieStyles

Another Aussie in Japan with a FD personal import! There are plenty of us on the forums mate. What part of Japan are you in?

Secondly, sounds like you have got a difficult car to start with. I think buying a FD with 90,000kms on the clock is pushing your luck. To me that sounds like the the seals have finally gone. I would get a compression test.

A rebuild in Japan will cost upwards of $4000 dollars. You can also add an extra $300 dollars for car tax at the end of this month!

BigWillieStyles

No, thats condensation if its only on startup. If the exhaust is constantly blowing white smoke after the car has warmed up then its probably your turbos.

bryanb

Hey mate, hows it all going?? Nice to meet yah! so yeah you will do the personal import back to aus yeah?? thats what I want to do and hopefully pick up 10k in the process..

yeah I checked the plugs and one was fouled, cleaned it and it is running back on par, so yeah i flushed the oil out and damn the guy before me really gave it to this car i think ey, had a lot of dirt throughout, a rebuild sounds a bit hexxy damn, I guess its always a good thing to do a thorough test drive before buying a car eh... Guess I learn a new lesson every day . I live in Chiba city - Kashiwa, this city is awesome.

Yeah the turbos dont feel worn at all they come on hard and no smoke is evident when on boost (got my gf to watch).

Still a bit dumbfounded as to the gearbox, I will definately do that flush on it considering the oil in the motor was dirty after 100km of a recent change.. damn..

I just don't understand how someone could treat an FD like this previous owner - these cars are just too damn sexy to abuse :p.

Hey willie would you know anywhere where I could get a $320 koyo 53mm radiator from?? They are heaps cheaper in the states then they are here!?!? for a JP product I got NFI why...

Kind Regards,
-Bryan

GTR-guy

Wish you luck with your FD, and being in Japan, it shouldn't be hard and expensive to make her mint again! I'm a Canadian living in Tokyo BTW, anytime you can shoot me a PM if you want to meet! I'm currently sportscarless but I should get myself in an FD this summer hopefully!

And you should pick up a copy of RX7 Magazine. There is tons of info on shops and engine rebuild price!

Cheers!

bryanb

haha mad man yeah I will shoot yah a mail soon, my msn is mister_bilowol@hotmail.com, feel free to add me. Will definately check out that magazine too!!

Kind Regards,
-Bryan

BigWillieStyles

Hey Bryan, post up some pictures of the beast!

First to second can become notchy at times, thats just normal until the box warms up. Also under high loads of power the engine can shake and missing 3rd becomes easy, this can be a sign that your engine mounts are worn. I would change the fluid first.

You will find them going for around 300 on yahoo auctions everyday. Although 53mm is pretty wide, you will need to modify the engine bay for it to fit. You will need to move the aircon forward, remove battery trim and a bit of fan shroud plus maybe some other stuff, quite a pain. If your just looking for an upgrade to get temps down, any koyo wided than normal will do the trick and would be easier to install and find. Anything above 43mm is more for a track based car IMO.

Circuit theory from the asian section can help you with parts also. He lives and works at a rx7 workshop in Chiba. Theres a few other members around from Chiba too.

The rx7 magazine is great, but beware the prices of rebuilds assume that the engine hasnt died yet and that parts like the housings are still usable. Rx7 mag also lists manufactures and there contact ph so you can order the parts you like.

bryanb

Yeah lol I'll have to get in contact with you guys ey, sounds awesome, I thought the cruising scene was only something of Australia :p, but I guess wrong??

Yeah thanks for the radiator advice, I always like to think bigger is better lol, but yeah a 38mm perhaps would be ideal??

The gearbox will definately be getting a thorough clean now I think, how strong are these gearboxes in the FD's?? Otherwise prob the cluctch going.

Below are some pics of the beast, I have added a sound system in there and put a viper alarm on it, thats it so far :p.

BigWillieStyles

The car looks fantastic mate. I like the sideskirts. Do you know who produces the bodykit? Looks like a scoot style.

Makes me want a silver FD now!

Ive got a spare set of genuine S8 tail lights if you are interested?

bryanb

Hehe, thanks, I got no idea who makes the kit, but yeah does look a little bit different to others, I am a guy who likes simple boxy style kits etc, which is why I was attracted to the look of this car :p (in a totally sexual kind of way lol).

S8 tail lights hmm sounds juicy, how much you asking for them?? I wouldn't might although the old school tail lights sort of stand out as everybody upgrades to the new school ones??

RotaryBred

before u bite the bullet and do a rebuild, make sure it's really coolant you smell. maybe you have a leaking or stuck injector. if the exhaust smells like gasoline you are flooding the engine with fuel to the point where its just spitting most of it out into the cat (or right out the tail) and its evaporating off. if it smells sweet its coolant.

BigWillieStyles

$300 ...

I was going to eventually post them up on the forums for sale, i just havent been assed to figure out how much postage it costs back to the states or aus.

bryanb

Thanks for the comment RB I will look at the motor now, clean up the engine a bit give it a hard nights thrashing (after the engines warmed up of course :p) and see how it holds up after that!

The tail lights sound good, got some photos of them? They would definately have to be a bit later though as I have to put some money into the engine at the moment.

I found a radiator on yahoo --> http://page14.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s90612117 what do you think?? Its a bit of overkill but the finish looks awesome and looks like it would be a hassle free installation, is there that much difference between copper/brass vs aluminium, I mean besides the rice/weight?

Will also be getting one of these --> http://page15.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/t67735235 to chuck into the equation (you have to remember when we get back to aus the temps are a different story there :P).

Kind Regards,
-Bryan

BigWillieStyles

Mate, if your on a budget, Circuit theory who is another member here works at a rx7 workshop in Chiba, he has heaps of parts and is great for advice.

Im not sure what you mean by aus temps? But Japan is far hotter than ive ever experienced in Aus.