i recently bought a touring edition third gen RX-7 in what i hear to be the color of choice in 93 montego blue. the car is in great shape but about two weeks ago i noticed the smell of oil from under the hood. Are these cars notorious for leaks? Is it normally associated with major or minor problems? i am learning about the car through this site and from friends but i know from common since that this is by no means a normal thing. Any thoughts or insites in this manner would greatly be appreciated.....

 

well i'll ask first, is there any oil leaks that you can see? or is this just something you can smell?

 

any smoke out the tailpipe? any smoke anywhere?

 

Let us all remember that in rotaries oil is used during the combustion cycle to lubricate the seals.

 

the oil is kept inside the engine though, do you smell oil when you let your car sit? i don't, though mine is a 2nd gen the engines are still designed with the same relative principles. it doesn't sound normal but alot of things can cause it, mainly from the crankcase ventilation, you may just be using a type of oil that the vapors tend to escape through the intake system easily when sitting however.