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Coolant Issue

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Old 04-20-17, 06:33 PM
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Coolant Issue

Well my introductory thread was closed before I could ask any questions so I figure this would be a good place to start. My car starts and idles just find, however my turbos leak a good amount of oil. It has 72k original miles.

However it burns coolant. My first thought was the coolant seals. My first thought was to do a champagne test on the coolant system, check for bubbles once its warmed up to temp for a sure fire way since I'm not able to compression test it for another week or two. I had no bubbles at all. However it continues to burn coolant and the plugs are obviously getting wet because it begins to misfire eventually.

My question is, if it turns out to have good compression, is it possible that it could be the turbos since they are obviously in need of replacing. I know they are water cooled, and the owner before me changed out all the vacuum lines and replaced 4 solenoids under the UIM.

If this isn't the correct place for this please notify me and I can post it where it is needed.
Old 04-21-17, 07:16 AM
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FC? FD?

This might help. Post #5 for fairly comprehensive list of all the possible symptoms of a coolant seal failure...
https://www.rx7club.com/new-member-r...-still-983697/
Old 04-21-17, 06:29 PM
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It's an fd. 72k miles, original turbos and engine. Decent amount of oil coming from the front if the turbos so I'm guessing they are about shot.
Old 04-21-17, 11:24 PM
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Does the car smoke? or leak any coolant on the ground?
Old 04-22-17, 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Hock87
Well my introductory thread was closed before I could ask any questions so I figure this would be a good place to start. My car starts and idles just find, however my turbos leak a good amount of oil. It has 72k original miles.

However it burns coolant. My first thought was the coolant seals. My first thought was to do a champagne test on the coolant system, check for bubbles once its warmed up to temp for a sure fire way since I'm not able to compression test it for another week or two. I had no bubbles at all. However it continues to burn coolant and the plugs are obviously getting wet because it begins to misfire eventually.

My question is, if it turns out to have good compression, is it possible that it could be the turbos since they are obviously in need of replacing. I know they are water cooled, and the owner before me changed out all the vacuum lines and replaced 4 solenoids under the UIM.

If this isn't the correct place for this please notify me and I can post it where it is needed.
OK, you're reporting two separate and likely unrelated symptoms...burning coolant and leaking oil.
Burning coolant... as explained in that link, one diagnostic measure is to do a PRESSURE TEST of the cooling system. This is NOT a compression test. The tool needed for a cooling system pressure test can be found at most chain parts stores on a loan system. BURNING coolant, a symptom also discussed in that link, tends to point toward a coolant seal failure.

Oil leak...that could be as simple as a leaking oil return line gasket or, as in the conclusion you've jumped to, a tired set of twin turbos. It's going to require some investigation on your part. In my experience though, 72k on a essentially stock engine is young for turbos to fail. If you engine is indeed suffering from a coolant seal failure, the time to deal with most any turbo issue is when the engine is out.
Old 11-25-20, 11:05 AM
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Did you ever troubleshoot and resolve the issue?
Old 11-25-20, 11:11 AM
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yes. pull motor, rebuild, do more than planned.




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