Hi guys, I'm new to these forums and also new to the RX7!! I used to own a 280bhp MR2 turbo, but have recently sold it to get the below RX7. I've paid the deposit on the car and will be picking it up in a week or so.

What should I be looking out for on these cars? I know the engines generally need rebuilts etc. The car I'm getting is at 60K miles it is fine just now, but what are the tell tale signs that a rx7 needs a rebuild?? I'll be getting compression tests done etc once I receive the car.

I've also read that the coolant expansion bottles (plastic ones) are prone to being brittle and fragile? Where should I look to get a metal one/stronger one?

Also what maintanance (with the exception of regular oil changes), should I perform on the car to ensure it remains in tip top condition??

Here' some pics of the car....

It has Coilovers, HKS Induction Kit, Blitz BOV, Custom SS Exhaust, 17" Enkel Wheels.













I'm based in the UK and was also wondering if this is the best forum for RX7 owners from the UK??

Any advice/help greatfully received guys!!

 

shouldld have done a compression test before you bought the car...

 

well I havn't actually bought it, only put down a small deposit.

If it does turn out it needs an engine rebuild, that's fine... I was gonna get it done at somepoint anyway tbh.

But how would I know when it needs a rebuild? Also any help on the above questions appreciated.

Cheers

 

Hi, welcome to the club.

Most frequently asked questions are answered in our FAQ thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

Try looking for for this part:

"24) When does an engine need to be rebuilt? I heard FD engines only last 60k, is this true?"

 

cheers... will take a look

 

getting a compression check after you buy it is kida like closing the barn door after the cows gotten out. You'd probably have better bargaining power if you knew before the purchase.

 

An engine rebuild is not a maintenance item. Rebuilding an engine with good compression is throwing away money. If the engine needs a rebuild, subtract $5k from the price.

 

There are a lot of things that can go wrong to cause you to need an engine rebuild. Bad coolant seals, o-ring failure, blown apex seals, are just some major ones. Especially if the car has 60k and has all stock internals, you will probably need to rebuild soon. Big signs are rough idling, hard to start, white smoke from the exaust, the list goes on. But most of the problems are due to the heat damage caused by not doing mods to cool down under the hood. Recommend getting a downpipe, because that precat is probably getting clogged and heating up if it's stock. Get an aluminum air separator tank from Pettit. As for maintenance, do an oil change every 2k miles and use royal purple. Also use some Redline water wetter in the coolant system. Protek-R from pettit is good for extending the life of your engine, and change that fuel filter if it's stock.