rx7 gen 3 overheat
 

If I dirve the car for more than a 1/2 hr, the low coolant light comes on. Car has the ast delete and a 180 thermostat installed. I have replaced the cap and even went up 2 lbs. Fan works (I even have a manual override installed). When it cools off, it takes about a cup of coolant to fill the system. Sometimes it blows out the overflow when it sits after running. Any suggestions?

Maybe bad water pump.

does it idle fine? does it startup fine and does it smoke at startup and warming up? does the temp rise when the low coolant sign comes up or does only the warning show up? pray its not a bad coolant seal.. :D hopefully its just a cracked radiator or hose... do you see any coolant leaking at all and where does it leak... ie. under motor, under radiator..etc

also, what radiator, ast?

Did you burp the system really well?? When you remove the AST it take several heat cycle to burp the system. Try that and see.

Starts fine, doesn't smoke other than after sitting for long periods of time (normal rotary), idles fine (other than rough going through 3K RPM when warming up), no leaks other than when it blows out of overflow tank after run. Coolant light goes on with warning buzzer, then, if you continue to run (to try and get home) you will start to see temp gage fluctuate.

also, stock radiator

soooooo... you're losing coolant and you cant find any leaks anywhere? hopefully its not what i think it may be..

and GET A KOYO RADIATOR!!! this is like the first thing you get along with an aluminum ast... shoot id probably get a samco rad hose along with them... you can never be too safe :)

Take it to a shop and get the coolant system pressure tested.

Dave

This doesn't concern your overheat but something you should be aware of...

(1) I don't think that's normal for a rotary...at least for 3rd gens (including my FD and 2 of my friends' FDs) doesn't smoke after just idling for a period of time. Of anything, it should just smoke a few seconds/minutes after initial crank up of the day.

(2) You should really disable the 3K RPM warm-up either though block-off plate or crank the car in 1st gear (w/ clutch in of course) for initial crank of the day.