VolkFD3S

iTrader: (1)

Hello guys, I just want to ask some question and hopely I don't get heartattack..

I just got my FD3S and everything seems fine.

The problem and question I have is:

when I start up the motor (while warming up), I get this white smoke for 1 min (approximate) while I'm changing gear. It goes away - yes and everything seem fine after. Is this NORMAL? Until the car is warm, maybe I shouldn't drive? - since I'm new owning Rotary, I want to hear some advise from you guys -

Idle normally (warmed up) 800ish and very consistant. No mis-fire, no hesitation, everything seem really normal. Just when it's not warmed up..

Something in my car I should look for? Change?

let me know if anyone having or had same trouble...

dinosaur

white smoke is usually coolant, Grey smoke is oil, what does it smell like? Coolant smells sweet, oil smells like, well, oil. My tune smokes for a minute or two when started cold (been sitting for a few days), but it is the extra oil and the rich fuel settings used on cold start. How is your coolant level?

VolkFD3S

iTrader: (1)

It's white and it smell like coolant (sweet). Sometimes it does this and sometimes don't. it goes away when the engine is warmed up - all the time. Just at the start. So i'm curious if this is something I should look into ASAP.

dinosaur

It sounds like the coolant seals are going. Keep a close eye on your coolant levels. It means a rebuild is in your future, but you can still drive it, just check the coolant levels often. Oh, by the way, did I mention that you should check the coolant levels often?
This is from the FAQ:

Symptoms of burnt coolant or oil in the exhaust, or combustion gases in the coolant can indicate damaged engine o-rings. A coolant pressure test is one test to detect this kind of failure. Overheating is the primary cause of o-ring failure, either by one overheat episode, or repeatedly driving the car too hard before it’s fully warmed up. Overheating can warp the housings, which exposes the coolant o-rings directly to combustion that breaks them down prematurely. Stock engines have had a history of coolant seal failure between 50-75k, probably because average owners were not careful enough with their treatment of the car, and because the stock temperature gauge does not provide a clear warning of overheating.
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68640

I drove mine that way till they failed before a had it rebuilt. search for "champaign test", it should give you some things to test and check to be sure.

staticguitar313

iTrader: (2)

time for rebuild, my Fc is in the same boat

nb7

iTrader: (3)

yep you will be rebuilding soon welcome to my world. If its doesn't smoke that bad I would just drive it till it goes and start researching is much cheaper to pull and rebuild yourself and you will learn a lot.

VolkFD3S

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys. Not a good news, but I was prepared to get into this before i bought mine.. This forum is awsome.

fastorlast

ive read that you really dont have to worry unless it starts smoking at high rpm's. your seals are going but there not gone. when they get really close to going out the car will start smoking at like 5500+ rpm's.

PINOYROADIE

iTrader: (1)

Very informative! What a great forum.. I'm in the same boat..