Last week or so, my engine bay started to smell weird, and gradually kinda got worse. The smell is kinda like coolant, but im not sure. Yesterday I noticed that the smell was coming from my turbo/DP area so i was checking it out. Then i started to hear hissing for a couple seconds. It was as if a drop of water was falling on a very hot surface like my dp or turbo and evaporating creating the stench. Every 45 seconds or so a drop of coolant i guess is dropped. until the motor cools off. Also, right before the noise, my waterpump/radiator cap bubbles. (could be coincedence) BTW, my coolant levels seem fine.

NOw, today I took out my intake and air pump to investigate. The first turbo coolant line seemed fine, and also wasnt in the area which the noise was comming from. The noise was comming right by the dp, and where the intake for the back turbo is going down. I cant find any other hose deeper down the turbo path. After hours of searched, tearing apart, i couldnt find it! I know their is a second one, and probably is the one leaking.

Can anyone please tell me where EXACTLY the other hoses are? Also what else do i need to remove to get to it. And, what other possiblities could these symptoms be caused from. Thanks

 

theres also a hose that sits on top of the rear iron by the DP,
theres two turbo coolant hoses. and they are both by the primary turbo if you still have the twins

 

your there with the two turbo coolant hoses. nothing else to take off i dont think.

 

Check the banjo bolts for the coolant hardline on the turbos.

 

is that the metal lines that go to the turbos, i see black build up around the bolt, ill try to tighten them up. Where is this other hose by the Dp?

Any other opinions of what could be the cause?

 

Well, that's the metal line which runs just slightly above the downpipe. You can get a look here:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/stock-twin-turbo-nuts-bolts-locations-485829/

The banjo bolt on the rear turbo could leak and drop further back and burn off. That's a possibility.

 

ok, ill def check it when i get home. BTW do i need to remove the the y-pipe (not crossover pipe which i already took out)

 

anyone? I have to get under the car to remove the y-pipe and ill probably need a new o-ring so i hope that i dont have to do it. I tighten the couple bolts, but they seemed fine. Im still cant find the other rear coolant hose, and the banjo bolts. According to the pic in the link, i think im gonna have to get under the car to get to it?

 

New, bigger problem. I broke the stud that comes out of the turbo while i was tightening the y-pipe to the turbo! How can i fix this now!

 

ok, almost a month later ive fixed the y-pipe and took my car to a rotary mechanic to check out the leak. He couldnt find anything and said that my turbos are leaking alittle oil (which i presume is normal) The smell still comes and goes and sometimes its kinda bad. I can usually smell it as imdriving. Its kinda smeet, dull, coolantish smell. I honestly dont think its oil but im not sure.

OVerall, ive checked the hoses, the mechanic checked it all, Wat else can i do. Is it ok to drive normally? It dosent really drip the collant/oil when i park. Should i just ignore this leak? PLease........

 

If he did a pressure test on the cooling system and it held pressure, then just keep an eye on your coolant/oil levels (which you should do anyways). If they are constant, then you should be fine.

 

then were is the smell comming from? Condensation from the y-pipe maybe?

But im relieved that its not to serious. Thanx Mahjik

 

at last i have found the coolant leak. And its about as bad as it can get. Their is a metal coolant line by the secondary turbo which runs up. This tube is leaking deep in their around the turbo. the only way i can reach to it is to take the turbos out!! Its minimal coolant leaking as in pin drops. Im going to continue to run like this adding coolant here and ther.

Any idea how to fix this would be nice other than takin the twins out. Welding isnt gonna work because its so tight in their.
Life sux

 

You need to pull the turbos. That hardline is bolted to the turbos using banjo bolts with copper crush washers. Most likely, all you need to do is to replace the crush washers or just tighten the banjo bolt. However, you can't do either with the turbos on the car. Sorry.

I would recommend just replacing the crush washers (and oil return line gaskets) if you have to go to the trouble of removing the turbos.

 

Looks like youve got to make a trip to Gazo's


Hardlines stuff are bitches to work on.... no other way then taking them out. You can do it yourself, once the turbos are out, its pretty simple... ive worked on the turbos before and its not really brain surgery... although it does take some time to get it in and out.

Good luck with everything.

 

Id try JB weld.

 

Im not sure it its where its bolted. I think its a crack on the tube itself. Would JB weld work for this? Resist heat?

 

Fix it right. If the tube is damaged (highly unlikely), you just by a new one.

 

Is their ANY other way. I want to do it right, trust me, but this is one thing that i have no choice. I dont have 700$ to give my car to someone to pull the turbos. I dont want to do it because Ive never done it before or seen it and I dont wanna mess it up with my inexperience. Ill do anything but pulling turbos and engines/tranys which require expertise.

Guys please be creative. Also, can i be toasting my secondary with this leak? It drips barely. I just hope im not causing any damage with this pinhole gay leak.

 

Dont touch/drive the car until you know exactly what your doing to fix the problem. Obviously its tempting... but seriously.

As far as creative ideas.. there are some creative minds in here... but most of the responces are going to be to pull em out and "do it right the first time".

Good luck with everything brother.

 

bump for ideas to fix this...

 

You could use radweld but there absolutely no way in hell I'd put that near a rotary!