Oil leak. Need help. Dealer says all RX-7 leak.
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Oil leak. Need help. Dealer says all RX-7 leak.
I have a '94 RX-7 with a new engine and turbos that have 15k miles on them in the last year. I hardly ever drive the car. Maybe once a week. The car started leaking oil. Over the course of a week the spot is about 6-8 inches oval. It is coming from directly under the engine. You can see the drips on that suspension brace that runs under the engine.
The dealer replaced the oil pan gasket ($750). Leak is still there. Took it back and they tightened a hose that feeds oil to the turbo. Drove it home. Still leaking, the same spot and same amount. Took it back. They cleaned the engine and let the car run. They think is was just oil from the gasket repair. They had the car 5 days and they are saying it did not leak. I did not see the ground where the car was parked.
Get it home and it is still leaking. He then told me that almost all 3rd gen RX-7 leak. This is my 2nd 3rd gen and the first leak I have had. I have not see any post on this site about leaks.
Do almost all 3rd gen 7s leak?
Any suggestions on where the oil might be coming from? Could it not be leaking then with the drive home from the dealership (an hour drive) the oil is leaking out at highway speeds. And continue to leak after it is parked and stays park for a week.
I think they have no clue. I do not believe that it was the oil pan gasket, since it was so new. I told them that if they cannot fix it they should give me my $750 back. Am I crazy or am I out the $750 for nothing.
Thanks
Marc
The dealer replaced the oil pan gasket ($750). Leak is still there. Took it back and they tightened a hose that feeds oil to the turbo. Drove it home. Still leaking, the same spot and same amount. Took it back. They cleaned the engine and let the car run. They think is was just oil from the gasket repair. They had the car 5 days and they are saying it did not leak. I did not see the ground where the car was parked.
Get it home and it is still leaking. He then told me that almost all 3rd gen RX-7 leak. This is my 2nd 3rd gen and the first leak I have had. I have not see any post on this site about leaks.
Do almost all 3rd gen 7s leak?
Any suggestions on where the oil might be coming from? Could it not be leaking then with the drive home from the dealership (an hour drive) the oil is leaking out at highway speeds. And continue to leak after it is parked and stays park for a week.
I think they have no clue. I do not believe that it was the oil pan gasket, since it was so new. I told them that if they cannot fix it they should give me my $750 back. Am I crazy or am I out the $750 for nothing.
Thanks
Marc
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL
MY 93 DOES NOT LEAK A DROP. TELL THE DEALER TO GIVE YOU BACK YOUR MONEY... THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, WHY SHOULD YOU PAY FOR IT. HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO THE DEALER AND FOUND OUT IF ANYONE THERE IS QUALIFIED TO WORK ON YOUR CAR? ALOT OF DEALERSHIPS SAY THEY CAN DO THE WORK, AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, THEY HAVE NO CLUE. I WOULD LOOK FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR AREA THAT IS FAMILIAR WITH THE 3 GEN RX-7. HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT.
My '93 has on occasion a 1 inch small spot after storage over the winter. When I am driving it, I have not seen any spots on my garage floor. I think he is giving you a snow job.
reliable performance
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 383
Likes: 1
From: MA, USA
My '95 doesn't leak any oil. Not a drop.
The tech did something wrong in replacing the oil pan gasket.
Probably didn't scrape all the old gasket off. If it was really stuck on there, it can take some time and diligence to get all the little pieces off before you put the new gasket on.
I'd take your complaint to the next highest level.
**************************************************
Just as a sidelight, it'd be interesting to look at your work order and see the tech's name on it. My bet is, this isn't the first job this guy's screwed up. In any shop, there's a range of competence. There's the guy at the top who knows his stuff and takes care. He's the one with the clean tools and orderly workspace. He gets few comebacks. At the lower end are the slopply bottom feeders. He gets many more comebacks, but it's hard to find good people, and you have to have bodies there to handle all the cars that come in the door.
The top guy usually gets the more demanding jobs, like complex engine work. The other guy the manager will tend to give the simpler, grunge jobs......like changing a gasket.
Ironically, sometimes the simpler a job is, the more likely it is that will get done badly.
The tech did something wrong in replacing the oil pan gasket.
Probably didn't scrape all the old gasket off. If it was really stuck on there, it can take some time and diligence to get all the little pieces off before you put the new gasket on.
I'd take your complaint to the next highest level.
**************************************************
Just as a sidelight, it'd be interesting to look at your work order and see the tech's name on it. My bet is, this isn't the first job this guy's screwed up. In any shop, there's a range of competence. There's the guy at the top who knows his stuff and takes care. He's the one with the clean tools and orderly workspace. He gets few comebacks. At the lower end are the slopply bottom feeders. He gets many more comebacks, but it's hard to find good people, and you have to have bodies there to handle all the cars that come in the door.
The top guy usually gets the more demanding jobs, like complex engine work. The other guy the manager will tend to give the simpler, grunge jobs......like changing a gasket.
Ironically, sometimes the simpler a job is, the more likely it is that will get done badly.
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 8
From: Dallas
My '93 doesn't leak a drop either; anymore. If the rear lip of the pan is wet, your leak is probably actually the rear engine seal. This seal is behind the flywheel and the oil dribbles down to the mate between the engine and tranny where it dribbles across the back of the oil pan. The seal is about $5 but you have to remove the tranny and pull the flywheel to replace it.
The sure way to check is to remove the inspection cover on the lower right side of the bell housing. If the inside of the cover is wet with oil or you can find fresh oil in the bottom of the bell housing, the rear seal is leaking.
The sure way to check is to remove the inspection cover on the lower right side of the bell housing. If the inside of the cover is wet with oil or you can find fresh oil in the bottom of the bell housing, the rear seal is leaking.
WTB** Very Low Miles 94-95
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,298
Likes: 0
From: Tejas
mine doesnt leak....AT ALL from the engine.
once a dealer tried to charge me 7000 plus labor to replace my turbos...he said they were 3500 each. hahahhahah...I towed it from the dealer to tripoint after that!
thats what happens when you go to a dealer.
when all is done...file a complaint with mazda corporate hq.
jason
94peg
once a dealer tried to charge me 7000 plus labor to replace my turbos...he said they were 3500 each. hahahhahah...I towed it from the dealer to tripoint after that!
thats what happens when you go to a dealer.
when all is done...file a complaint with mazda corporate hq.
jason
94peg
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Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
UR leak is not normal and probably caused by bad install of motor and stuff.
All rotary leak *internally* bc of the rotary design. The oil leaks between the apex seal and the housing while it sits. This is why you see a small puff of blue smoke on startup. However, it shouldn't leak out of the engine!
This is another proof that you should not go to the dealer for anything complex.
All rotary leak *internally* bc of the rotary design. The oil leaks between the apex seal and the housing while it sits. This is why you see a small puff of blue smoke on startup. However, it shouldn't leak out of the engine!
This is another proof that you should not go to the dealer for anything complex.
The oil pan is very prone to leaking after being re-sealed IF not done properly. My oil pan leaked like a ************ for a long time, till I read somewhere on the web on some 3rd gen site...after carefully cleaning the area to be sealed, the pan & silicone should be installed and left to dry/cure OVERNIGHT. I haven't had a leak since this was done. I've had the pan sealed several times, & it always still leaked until I tried the overnight cure.
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Daytona, FL
!
Don't EVER go to the dealer!!!!! They don't know sh$t!! Depending on where you live, find the best rotory shop approved by us guys on here....I have 57000 and lots of mods, never have seen a drop! My first 3rd gen, the dealer tried to charge me $4500 for new turbos and it was only a loose oil line on secondary turbo. Pettit racing saved me thousands. Be weary!!!!!! Do your homework!G.........
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 430
Likes: 1
From: south jersey
i noticed a good amount of oil around the rear of my pan especially towards the passenger side motor mount. looks like i will be replacing the rear seal when i replace my slipping clutch.
93 fd 13.5@101.38 mph stock
87TII soon to be racing
93 fd 13.5@101.38 mph stock
87TII soon to be racing
Full Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
I don't know if you still have the leak but I am almost positive it is either the rear main seal or the stationary gear seal. I had a leak exactly like what you are explaining and when I removed the tranny for a clutch I bought the two seals and that is where my leak was. The whole housing was full of oil, the rear main seal just came out where it should be in there with some amount of pressure.
It's never fast enough...
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,760
Likes: 3
From: Miami - Given 1st place as the POOREST city in the US as per the federal government
The oil pan isn't even supposed to use a gasket, even though the manual says to do so. The gasket makes the pan hit the frame, supposedly, which is why we are only supposed to seal it with silicone.
uid 0
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
The end housings of the engine have a tendency to leak due to ****-poor factory sealing. When I got my new engine Ivan resealed the housings as well as the oil pan prior to installing it and it's not leaked a frikkin drop ever since. Have that **** fixed at dealer cost because what they did obviously didn't fix your problem.
Mine leaks from the same spot. They bullshitted you big time. there is no oil pan gasket. They just use sealant and My dealer quoated me 150 bucks last week to fix it Parts and Labor. Someone *** fucked you. Get pissed.
Originally posted by ZoomZoom
Mine leaks from the same spot. They bullshitted you big time. there is no oil pan gasket. They just use sealant and My dealer quoated me 150 bucks last week to fix it Parts and Labor. Someone *** fucked you. Get pissed.
Mine leaks from the same spot. They bullshitted you big time. there is no oil pan gasket. They just use sealant and My dealer quoated me 150 bucks last week to fix it Parts and Labor. Someone *** fucked you. Get pissed.
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