hello rx7 friends!

Newbie here trying to diagnose an overheating issue...

Was driving and felt a pop, further down the road the buzzer started, eventually the dash showed that the engine was overheating and after I opened the hood the engine was steaming and there was blue-ish green liquid everywhere. especially the rear-right side of the engine bay.

Think it's a thermostat or water pump issue?

 

Heard a pop or felt a pop? If you heard a pop then a hose came off. Either way, put a pressure tester on it and wherever the coolant is coming from will manifest. You can also just pour water in it and locate the leak with your eyes

 

Heard a pop! Good call on the potential hose issue. Will try pouring in some distilled water and troubleshooting that way.

 

So…
1. Coolant res is bone dry
2. no pressure in top hose leading from radiator

Radiator hoses look okay

EDIT: I'm thinking it's a Heater Core hose on the driver's side...

 

Likely the coolant hose directly under the oil filter pedestal. Filling the cooling system with water is a good idea if you do not have a cooling system pressure tester. When you replace the leaking hose, you will want to use a cooling system pressure tester to pressurize the system to cap pressure and ensure you did not destroy a coolant seal. Very easy to do if the engine is overheated.

 

And we have a winner! The heater core hose had a massive hole in it...

I've attached some 3/4 tubing and clamps as a temporary fix while I wait for a more permanent fix (silicone shaped tubing).

Thank you!!!

 

Glad you found the leak!!! The hose is still available new from Mazda so you should be in good shape there. Any issues with the engine after filling it with coolant and running it?

 

Miraculously no. The engine seems to be running smoothly still, despite the fact that it hit the “H” limit on the temp gauge.

 

That's honestly great news!! Were you able to find a replacement hose?