Hello Rx7club

im new to the wankel motor and find myself looking to buy an Rx7, problem is im on a low budget. that being said, a potential seller was telling me his Rx7 needs a seal rebuild because it over heated. i dont mind doing the work but my question to you, the educated owners, could that cause over heating? keep in mind im completely new to rotary motors.

thanks

 

Overheating could be due to neglect or a burst coolant line, etc...

Also, keep in mind that replacing the coolant seals on a rotary requires disassembling the entire engine. It's very different from changing a head gasket on a piston engine. And if the engine was overheated badly, there may be internal damage from excessive heat. If the engine has sat for awhile without being run, coolant may have pooled inside one or both housings. If this has happened, expect to find rust. Rusty rotors, housings and irons would be junk.

 

^Yep, what he said.


If its an FD, a remanufactured motor is about $4,000 + any other parts that need to be changed - gaskets, clutch, coolant hoses etc. I don't know what a reman motor for an FC is but its probably not much cheaper.

If you are new to RX7s and you are on a budget and not looking for a money sucking project, your best bet it to find one in working condition. There are plenty around.

Check the FAQ threads for Buyer's Guides

 

thanks for the input guys, but the dude ended up trying to tell me he's a Mazda tech when in his ad he said he didnt know the condition of the motor after it overheated and what exactly needed to be done in terms of rebuild.

 

That doesn't necessarily mean he is not a Mazda Tech. In my experience, most Mazda techs know little to nothing at all about rotaries, since the majority of Mazda's cars are pistons powered. Getting an rx7 worked on at a Mazda dealer can be a crapshoot, just like taking it to a no name garage.

 

+1 !

 

I agree, and i'm a Mazda tech. The most rotary powered car I work with is the 8 so my knowledge base is primarily that. With my Fc i've been learning so much more so it helps. But yeah, overheating can be a bad bad issue. Does the engine run? that'd be my first question.

The best peice of advice I have for ya too is if you buy one ( Running or not) If I were you I wouldn't plan on making it a DD. They are great cars to drive and a ton of fun. But there are just times where I'm happy I kept my Nissan. The old girl hasn't let me down yet.

 

DD was my maine plan because i need a quicker way to get to work and school, the bus is never on time.

 

if your on a budget, go buy a civic. I dont mean to be an a$$hole, but there is nothing more expensive than a cheap RX7 as everyone here will tell you, and its got a very steep learning curve.

That being said, if you really like the rotary, and have to have a 7, pick up a running FC in good condition. You'll have fewer headaches, and be much happier in the long run.

 

^ yup

 

I had an FC daily and it was great. barely had to work on it and it took me all over the state.
however, it did flood from time to time, and was a bit tempermental. if you know a bit about cars and get one in decent condition, it wont be a problem.

but if you dont know anything about cars it might be the biggest headache...

 

i know plenty about piston motors, but rotary is a whole new deal to me

 

i wouldn't buy motor that needs its seals replaced, i rebuilt my s5 na engine and i did a good job but i wouldn't go through the hassle if i could just go buy a working rx7. just find a working one and do a compression test on it. or save up for a little longer it'll be worth it