Running without a thermostat?
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,468
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From: S.Cali, OC!
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
Don't worry, I can guarantee it won't be the head gasket. 
what u mean is coolant seal
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Wayne, NJ 07470
Originally Posted by DaveW
And use ONLY the OEM (Mazda) thermostat - there have been many problems related to aftermarket ones.
ed
Racecar - Formula 2000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 369
From: Bath, OH
Originally Posted by edmcguirk
I will agree that the OEM thermostats used to be much better than aftermarket thermostats but the last few thermostats that I got from Mazda are not the same thermostats that they used to be. They look exactly the same as the aftermarket thermostats now.
ed
ed
Originally Posted by dgeesaman
Which finally begs the question:
Is it safe to run my FD without a head gasket?
Is it safe to run my FD without a head gasket?
Although it should be possible to drive any RX-7 without a head gasket, there are rumors of a JDM-only 'turbo head gasket' that lowers your compression ratio and allows you to boost over 15psi on the stock ECU without detonating. The quest to find this mythical rotary head gasket has been fruitless so far.
-s-
Originally Posted by darkhawk
Head gasket == Coolant seal = $*$
Days waiting to drive my 7 priceless...
Days waiting to drive my 7 priceless...
Seriously, read through the link below for a little info on coolant seal failure. If you haven't already seen it, the entire site has great info for a new owner.
IMHO, before you jump to any conclusions about your coolant seals, you probably should just pressure test the system. Your Dad should know how, or go to any NAPA, ADVANCED AUTO etc. They will probably have the equipement to do it.
http://fd3s.net/o-ring_failure.html
Good luck.
Last edited by Sgtblue; Feb 14, 2006 at 04:49 PM.
Constant threat
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 39
From: near Wichita, Kansas
Sears has a really kick-*** coolant system tester for about $120.
Only a FEW people think this poor guy has a coolant seal going or gone?
This is what my car would do when the coolant seals were bad.
To the orginal poster: You definitely need to check your coolant system for leak-down. Then have your coolant checked for exhaust gases. If you leak down and it is internal then it is a coolant 'O' ring failure more than likely. Your engine as right about at that stage in its life where one can expect this.
The good news is, you CAN get by for quite some time by doing the 'block-seal-in-a-can' trick (search for this). I got another 15K miles out of my engine by doing this.
The bad news is, unlike a piston engine where you CAN just change the head gasket, the rotary engine's coolant 'O' rings are only accessible by doing a complete tear down.
Only a FEW people think this poor guy has a coolant seal going or gone?
This is what my car would do when the coolant seals were bad.
To the orginal poster: You definitely need to check your coolant system for leak-down. Then have your coolant checked for exhaust gases. If you leak down and it is internal then it is a coolant 'O' ring failure more than likely. Your engine as right about at that stage in its life where one can expect this.
The good news is, you CAN get by for quite some time by doing the 'block-seal-in-a-can' trick (search for this). I got another 15K miles out of my engine by doing this.
The bad news is, unlike a piston engine where you CAN just change the head gasket, the rotary engine's coolant 'O' rings are only accessible by doing a complete tear down.
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