Hey everyone, I just got my 85 GSL last week, took it for a spin when I picked it up and the past few days start-up/ around the block cruises have been fine so I was hoping to get some input on a few things. It should be pointed out I am brand spanking new to not only rotaries but working on cars in general. So the biggest scary problem heh...

After reading other threads and related questions, I'm afraid I might have a coolant leak or blown apex seals. She starts up fine with a little puff of smoke (not worried about that) it goes away within a few minutes while the cold idle is still on. Once she was warmed up for 10 minutes I was doing a oil pressure check through different rpms (more to come on that...) and accelerated up to 7000 rpm right at the shift buzzer, I came off the throttle and she started to backfired a few times (which always happened and my understanding is fairly common) but then started to smoke like a chimney to the point I was getting fairly nervous- there was a pretty bitter almost burning smell associated with it so I'm not convinced its coolant (no bubbling in the reservoir either) but thinking it's an oil seal, thoughts?

As for the oil pressure, initially she idles fine at 20lbs and as I accelerate she goes up to 60 lbs, however when I come off the throttle the oil pressure drops right off to 0 and stays just a sliver above 0 at idle. Idle is set at about 900 which off the top of my head can't remember if it's too high- I'm hearing 750 in my head right now. But that's another can of worms to tackle after since she idles rough and drops about 100 rpm and surges back every few seconds so I'm smelling vacuum leak.

Sorry for the long post I'm just stumped and scared but really wanting to get it pinpointed so I can start repairs/not do anymore damage...

Thanks!

 

welcome to the board.

it's not your apex seals. the engine will lack power, it won't start easily (if at all), and your idle will be very uneven.

as for the smoke, it does sound like oil is getting by the seals.

for your pressure gauge, check the wire on the pressure sending unit.

 

Symptoms of bad Oil Control Rings: Run up to high rpm, then let off the throttle. Huge clouds of smoke? That's what you're dealing with.

What I did with my last motor, which had over 200,000 miles on it and bad OC rings was replace a quart of oil with a quart of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer. Doesn't fix the problem, but it will reduce the symptoms a great deal.

Good luck.




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Thank you so much for the responses- this is why I wanted to stop lurking and become a member

Is it worthwhile replacing the control rings? I'm assuming that's a step to do in an engine rebuild. I noticed while tinkering that the belt on my air pump has been removed, is it just speculation about unburned oil being deposited in the cat under the circumstance or would that not have anything to do with it? when I was running it again it's definitely a blue-ish tint smoke it escapes me right now if that's oil or fuel or both :P

btw my motor is running at 105000 miles right now so it'd make sense that things are starting to show their age.

 

yes, blue smoke is oil. as Kentetsu said, you could possibly stave off a rebuild for a while by using certain products. i can't endorse or reject any through personal experience, but i have seen some rotaries reduce or quit smoking after using some products. however, to actually FIX the issue, a rebuild would be required.

 

Thanks for all your help guys, I was already thinking about a rebuild/just pulling the engine with all the stuff I want to tinker with/remove/clean. It'll be a good winter project. Perhaps I'll share my rebuild as I'm sure there will be lots more questions and head scratching to be had.