How long with dropping coolant and white smoke before engine totally dead?
 

I asked this question in another thread and also did a search, but found no exact answers to this question so....

I have a 93 FD with 61,000 miles. I have had cooling problems with my car where my temps vary during stop and go traffic from 180F to 200F, with stable 180F to 190F during highway driving. Coolant at the filler neck drops to below the coolant level sensor after every drive. Same ol symptom of white smoke after starting for only 1 minute, which does not occur any other time. Engine still running hard. I have a Fluidyne rad, Samco hoses, aluminum AST for cooling mods.

My question is, for those of you that have those telltale symptoms of white smoke and slowly missing coolant, how long did your engine last before it completely gave out? What is your driving style - aggresive or not? People on the board have said they drove it til it didn't run anymore, but how long and how much mileage was that, before it failed and a rebuild was absolutely required?

Thanks!

I started getting white smoke in August. She still runs strong but I haven't even put 1,000 miles on her since I bought her!

I am now on my 2nd FD and I don't know about the rest but my car gives out white smoke every morning when I start up. Mechanic claims it is from oil being burnt to lubricate the seals. As for losing coolant mine did too but I heard a bit is the norm. Hope that helps

I have same problem with you. Its been like that since 1 yr ago. I've put on 10,000miles since the smoking probelm and graduate coolent loss. :D

Oring is most very likely to be shot in this case. But it runs, it runs....I'll drive it till it stops! lols


93 rx7 touring
M2 Stage 3 Ecu
Re Amemiya intake
Down Pipe
boosting 0.8cm^2kg

Re: How long with dropping coolant and white smoke before engine totally dead?
 

Your readings are completely normal and are in fact, on the low end for stop-and-go driving.

Your other symptoms may indeed indicate failing coolant seals. I have experienced the coolant smelling exhaust and a little white smoke for about 18k miles now. However, I'm now starting to have to add coolant fairly regularly and I can't find a leak in the engine bay. It's about time I popped my rebuild cherry, I guess.

it'll run till you stop adding coolant and oil ;)

Thanks guys for the helpful replies.

I guess I won't feel like I need to absolutely drop all the upgrade plans I had budgeted, and drive her til she drops. It's frustrating cause I absolutely baby this car and I feel like the car has mood swings. :confused:

Thanks again!

It's frustrating cause I absolutely baby this car and I feel like the car has mood swings.

Can't live with them/can't live without them! Nough said.