Overheating Issues
 

hey guys, i have been looking into a 1994 fd in my area for sale, i have checked it out and everything but the owners say it overheats... they took it to a shop that saided they "fixed it" but yet the car still gives a overheating warning, they say it could be anything but could be as simple as a new thermastat... just wanted to hear what you guys have to say, any suggestions, or possible reason for overheating or typical rx7 problems with overheating.... thanks alot

First of all does a overheat light come on?
second did they ever put stop leak in the radiator?
How much ?

well it COULD be something as minor as a thermostat. Although Rotaries do not take over heating well. So even if it is a thermostat, it over heating due to the thermostat not working properly could have done more detrimental damage than originally diagnosed with the thermostat.

2 most important gauges to have Air/Fuel mixture and Coolant temp (IMO)

Sorry, but this sounds like the owner knows that it's more than just a thermostat.
It could be that the engine needs a rebuild.

Do a search, and you will find it could be many things.

Tell the owner you want to take it to a rotary specialist, and get their opinion.

Where are you located in VA?

not exactly sure but i am in the process of emailing the owner so your suggestions will be put to good use, thanks i will get right too finding out

i live in newport news, and the cars in maryland... and your completly right about them knowing more, the first thing they said is they are not trying to scam people lol i didnt jump to conclusion, but all the suggestions i get from here i will definietly find out more from the owner, thanks i will post up the new status later

I'm here in Norfolk, if you want to meet up sometime and discuss your FD endeavor.

I don't know what they mean by overheating warning... There is no warning for the coolant getting too hot other than the gauge going up.

However, there is an add coolant light that comes on and it's part of the temp gauge. This can illuminate for a number of reasons including but not limited to: external coolant leak, improperly filled coolant system (air trapped because they didn't let it warm up/burp with fill cap open), or internal coolant leak (requires engine removal, rebuild and probably replacement of an iron housing or more).

Basically, the light comes on because coolant level is below the sensor on the filler neck.

If they are properly filling and burping the cooling system and the add coolant light continues to come on, it could be that there is an internal engine coolant leak. It's like blowing a head gasket, but on a rotary.

If the coolant level is fine and the temp is fine, then it could also be a broken wire from the level sensor on the coolant filler neck.

But really, you just need to take it to a rotary specialist if you're serious.

If this car has bad coolant seals, it will overheat, dump coolant, and the low coolant light will come on. If it has bad coolant seals, it will need a rebuild. That can run anywhere from 3k to 7k depending on what is needed. If the car still has the original motor, you can figure it will need a rebuild in the near future.

thanks alot for all the help guys, i appreciate it alot

Where in MD is the car? I'm here in the DMV too......let me know if you need another set of eyes on it. I just spent the last two years finally getting to learn the car and mostly the cooling system. I also bought mine under similar circumstances ..... the owner took it to a shop (the dealership) and they gave him the completely wrong diagnosis. In the end, it was a huge win for me. So read the BIG coolant thread, learn, and see if what they are telling you makes sense.

Is there more than one owner? You keep saying "they." Like a husband and wife? Why are they selling? How quickly does it overheat? How many times has it done it? What do they do when it starts overheating? Do they seem to know what they are talking about? It doesn't seem so.

Also ask them where they took it because if they or the shop that worked on it don't know the basics of this car then you can forget any diagnosis. Find out what the shop did to "fix" it. Any service records at all?

You'd at least need a compression test on the motor. (Can a regular shop do this experts out there? I don't even know.) And a complete cooling system check by someone that knows this car. Get those and then you can play with the price if it's not good news...if the owner really doesn't want to scam anyone, he/she shouldn't have a problem with this. Buying from somebody that doesn't know about the car is a gamble but if you do your homework it can work out for you.

Good luck and let us know.

alriht guys again i cant thank you guys enough for the info, i sent a email about 3 days ago and there is still no response, all your suggestions are being put to good use, planning on getting another email going to her in a day or so if she doesnt respond, i will move on

A napa hydrocarbon test kit may be worth while too. It tests for the presence of combustion products in your coolant.

I don't want to assume the worst in people (especially if I don't know them), but anyone seriously wanting to sell a car, and is not hiding anything is going to get back to you sooner than 3 days. I would look for a different car.