I was getting ready to take the motor out of the car today for the winer rebuild and body overhaul and while draining the oil i noticed it smelled slightly of gas, why would this be?

 

Rotaries are notorious for not burning all the fuel in the combustion cycle. It is inevitable that a little raw gas is going to diffuse into the oil since that oil is what is separating the metal parts from touching eachother all around the combustion chamber. "Slight" might mean it's been a while since the oil has been changed.


Mario III

 

Use a match to separate the gas from the oil. Sounds like you run rich a lot.

 

Your valve seals are going out!!



















J/k

I would think that your seals are wearing, how many miles on the motor? Since you are rebuilding your engine, I wouldn't worry about it to much.

 

Typically, flooding of the engine can cause this. In your case, you won't have to really do anything since you are doing a rebuild, but normally I would recommend checking out the deflood procedures and then changing the oil.

 

Normal. It just means that it's been flooded, or has been running a bit rich.

 

Ok good to hear, i know it was flooded when i bought it and it has been a while since the oil was changed so at least i can sleep easy tonite lol.

 

If you're concerned, send a sample of oil to Blackstone Labs for analysis. But like others have indicated, minor fuel contamination of the engine oil in a rotary is not particularly unusual.

 

Assuming that it is a fuel injected car, I would highly recommend having the injectors rebuilt while you have the engine out. If you have a leaking injector it will cause the problem you are talking about.

 

Probably running a little rich. Or the oil hasn't been changed...