I know I don't need to sing to the choir of the respect I have for my '86 Sport Model, but I would love some input from other long-term 2nd Gen owners. This car has been a periodic daily driver since 1989 and, with the exception of numerous transmissions and wiper switches, it is still OE with 141K on the odometer.

So, in miles, how long have your alternator, oil and water pumps typically lasted on your RX-7? Did they give any early indications that a problem was brewing before failing? While I've considered it many times, I'm not one to fix something that's not broken. Yet, how many miles is enough to expect from these aged but fully functional machines?

 

If there aren't any higher electrical loads than from the factory, the alternator should last until, well, it fails. They generally are reliable but with that mileage could fail at any time.

If you are keen to replace it, read up in the 2nd gen FAQ about retrofitting a 3rd gen RX-7 alternator. It's a much better unit and about same price.

As for the water pump, generally they will begin to weep before they fail.

However at 150K, it could go at any time. Or it may last for another 50K. I assume by this point you've replaced all the cooling hoses and thermostat, as well as flushed out the rad. If not done, then I'd recommend those tasks be performed and at the same time, the water pump can be swapped (they're cheap).

 

Thanks for the tips. I've been stranded by a couple of previous cars that have had water pumps squeel a short time, then explode before I get home. Alternators just seem to surprise me and die one day. Hence, the reason for my questions.

As often happens to me when I poke around this tremendous resource, I learn other new things. I recently read about the rather severe risks associated with an old Pulsation Dampner (dampener / damper, depending on who you ask). I have done the routine maintenance items you suggest, and now I'll be buying a banjo bolt for the PD and looking into a 3rd Gen alternator. I assume it runs higher amps or something because I've never owned an alternator that has performed as well as my 2nd Gen OE unit.

 

wow..Pamela Anderson!!!!..(hubba hubba!..lol!)..Twin Cities??..How Ironic!
Ok Pam..the FD alt is 100 amps,so you will need the pigtail connector to it to wire it in to your 86 harness.It is the same as an S5 connector.

 

Easy now boys, not all of us Pamela Andersons are famous (or commonly sans clothing). Thanks once again for the install tip on the alternator. I'll do some FAQ reading.

If you're out there, I am still interested in other 2nd Gen owners who could quote the distance their main OE engine components lived before failing.