My (stock) 1995 mazda RX-7 touring model was running perfectly on saturday and sunday, but after sitting for a couple of hours sunday night, i started it up, and white clouds of smoke poured out of the exhaust. I am pretty positive it is the coolant seals on the engine because the coolant light came on and the buzzer went off. The coolant temp needle never made it above half-way(so it never came close to overheating), but I did smell a slight coolant smell earlier that day and saw no coolant leaking onto the ground. I am wondering, IS THIS NORMAL FOR A WELL MAINTANED CAR WITH ONLY 57 K MILES ON IT??? ABOUT HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST TO REPAIR (parts/labor)??? ALSO, should I port the motor while it is out of the car and mill the rotors for 3mm apex seals, or just get upgraded 2mm apex seals? If warrantee won't cover it and I do the work myself, how long will it take from start to finish? About 3 days (with access to a lift and all necessary tools)??? Thanks alot for your responses!

 

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/smoking.html

Sorry man, you probably need an engine rebuild. Check with KD Rotary, do an internet search. Motor rebuild is about 3000-4000 for a basic but quality job if your turbos are good.

 

is it just at start up?

 

Did you buy the car new? Reason is, when you tear apart the engine and you take a look at how small the water seals are, you will know why even overheating a bit the engine and break a seal Damn seals are TOO small, but Teflon water seals ARE available.

By the way, was the smoke blue or white?

 

Thanks for your responses....yes the smoke was white, and I don't know whether it was just at start up because I shut the car off immediate after seeing the large thick cloud of white smoke.....it was too much smoke to be anything insignificant. COULD IT POSSIBLY BE THE COOLANT SEALS ON THE TURBOS?

 

I had that happen a few times to me..... I really didn't think it was my engine. The last owner put in a reman then gave it to me and I mean I did the break-in just like it said and then some. Went to 3000 miles before I considered it complete. I was thinking maybe something with the turbos, but wasn't sure. I emailed KD about the problem and Dave listed a bunch of things that could cause smoke. So untill I see further problems... or major smoke then I will look into it with more detail. Good luck on yours

 

Kevin,
I am really very sorry to hear about what happened. Atleast now u have an excuse for a street port. U can build your motor up and coome back and stomp evryone in our crew. I really dont want to see what will happen when u and matt get your cars to the 350+ rwhp range. There isn't much which will be able to beat u guys from a roll.
Yoshie