Copied from another thread. Any questions I will clarify, but I didn't feel like retyping it.





Not exactly sure yet about everything, but today might be the death of my rx7.

Started it up for the 2nd time, last time there was not much smoke, this time there was enormous amounts. Furthermore, oil was pouring out of my exhaust leaks at the header to borla xr1 connection... and when I say pouring I mean POURING. Tried to give the car some gas, would hardly rev, so I stomped on it and it rev'd up a bit, let go, and it died.

From there I took the header off to check inside the engine. Front rotor appears to have a failed oil seal. I reached inside and felt pil on the rotor, rear one I can't tell but it doesn't appear to have an issue, or at least not as bad.

Pictures of front rotor looking inside.





Then after rotating the engine over to get to the next face of the rotor, we see this.



Oil....

I still need to talk to a builder friend of mine, but I think I know the answer. Needs to be torn down and overhauled a little, but I'm just not sure if I'm going to or not. Really not sure what I'm going to do at this point.

I've poured thousands into this car over the past 4 months or so... and this is just incredibly depressing. I have some thinking to do.

Thank you to all, though, that encouraged me and gave me support along the way, it was appreciated.

 

Another copy, to explain what I think I'm going to do and why.




Yah it sucks, but oh well. Life goes on, and in the grand scheme of things this isn't a big deal. However, that being said, I'm not sure if I'm going to fix it. I do not have the time, I'm tired of pouring thousands of dollars into this car, and honestly I think I'm out-growing it. When it started up today and at 1000rpms was annoyingly loud and hurtful, I think I realized I'm not the same person I used to be. My earlier intentions of a crazy ported, free flowing exhaust, 10k rpm redline was more of a childish endeavour. If I did fix it, I'd probably go with a more mild stage 1 Kahren style streetport and 8k redline with a quiet exhaust.

That being said, though, I do not have the money to keep pouring into this. Lately I've been trying to think about my future, and the future with my gf. I've been putting money away and investing it rather than spending it on frivilous things. Because of that, I do not want to start another project by pouring more and more money into it. I think my time with this rx7 is over. I'm going to tear it down, and if it is indeed the oil seals, and god forbid more, I'm done and everything aftermarket on the car will be stripped and sold. Sad to say, but there are more important things in my life right now, and a crazy rx7 is not one of them.

After that I might get another 2nd gen and leave it close to stock. Just suspension, exhaust, intake, simple things. But I'm not sure if I want another 2nd gen, I think I'm growing out of them. We shall see, and only time will tell.

I of course disappointed, but I am not upset. It was a great hobby and it occupied my time when I had nothing better to do. But my time is precious these days and I cannot continue with the way I was before.

Thanks again to all, thanks for any support, suggestions, kind words, etc. All of it was greatly appreciated, and I will post pictures whenever I get around to tearing the engine down. I still need to talk to some people, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what oil shooting out of the exhaust ports when you turn the engine over means.

R.I.P. 1988 rx7 GXL 12/14/05, you will be missed (for now).

 

If you want any help with any thing just let me know..

Later
Dan

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. I'll be deciding what I'm going to do in the next few days probably, might take it apart while I'm still on winter break and have time, so I can see what exactly went wrong.

 

Oh man, I know how you feel. I'm sorry.

Anyways just put everything (car related projects) on the back burner for some time. Drive around a slow, beat up econo box for a bit. Before you know it you'll be out working on the 7 again, your motivation and want will come back (in my case it did) in good time. That is if you and the rotary were meant to be.

Good Luck and take a deep breath. Life is filled with dissapointments and rough roads. Keep your head up.
Joe

 

Yep, life is full of hardships, but what does not kill us makes us stronger right?

This project is definitely done for, for the time being. I'm either going to let it sit or buy a stock engine to put in and take apart my current one later when I have time to fix it. Gotta think about it.

 

Drew....I also can relate as I have gone through 3 motors in Blue. Finally I think I have a strong one thats going to make it. Though thousands of dollars later it does get very frustrating, where it feels like theres nothing but troubles with no end. Like Joe said deep breath.....

Take a break. You got it in you to do it again.

 

Fix it man, youve done one hell of a job with this motor. If its just an oil problem, tear it down and fix it! Your SOOOO close, its crazy to give up at this point.

Once you drive it, you'll fall in love with the car all over again. I went through the same thing with my first gen, I spent thousands on it, and couldnt get it to run right, and I took a break for a month or so. I came back with a new approach, and fixed it, and once I drove it, I knew that All my hard work is worth it. Trust me, you get discouraged when you havent driven the car in a while... it happens to all of us.

Just DONT GIVE UP DREW!!

 

at least its not an apex seal.... oil seal problem is probably an easyer fix!!! cheer up!

 

I realize it is an easy fix, so long as it truly is just an oil seal on the front rotor. Before I make any final decisions, I'll tear the front down and see exactly what is going on.

The noise still gets to me heh...

 

is this a newer engine you just finished? or is this an older engine? I am Moving to north Kirkland here after christmas. and i would like to have someone to rebuild my engine with. I have already had a offers to help me. But i figure if you would like to rebuild your engine next to mine i think that would be cool!

 

The newer one. Doesn't even need a rebuild, just torn down to the front rotor and fix the o-rings (most likely), replace a couple coolant seals, and put it back together.