My New S4, need help troubleshooting
06-11-07, 02:29 AM
#1
My New S4, need help troubleshooting
I've done some research and read Aaron's guide to new Rx-7s, but I still need help troubleshooting a issue with the car.
First of all, I'm pretty new to rotaries and I'm not that knowledgeable in cars in the first place. My S4 is my first car and I'm trying to get it in near perfect condition over summer.
The first problem is that when the car is warming up, A LOT of smoke comes out of the exhaust. The rotary burns oil by design, that I understand, but I'm talking about CLOUDS of smoke, it was a windy day today and my Rx-7 covered half of my side of the block with smoke sitting there idling. I read about it, and I'm thinking either leaking apex seals or block EVC(I don't even know what that is)? The only information I can give about the engine is that its the stock 13b Na engine on the S4. According to the last owner, it was recently rebuilt, maybe a couple thousand miles on it, probably still in break-in period. Its running on 20 50 right now and I just filled it up with 87 octane. This happened before we purchased the vehicle also, we got it for a steal, and my dad didn't mind paying for it to be repaired or repairing it himself.
Here are some pictures after 4-5 minutes of warming up:
Second problem. I went and checked the oil level today (which was low), decided to twist the oil cap open and this is what I found:
Like I said before, I don't know much about cars, but that looks like some sort of build up.
Are these two problems common? How can they be fixed if they do need to be fixed?
I really appreciate the help guys.
First of all, I'm pretty new to rotaries and I'm not that knowledgeable in cars in the first place. My S4 is my first car and I'm trying to get it in near perfect condition over summer.
The first problem is that when the car is warming up, A LOT of smoke comes out of the exhaust. The rotary burns oil by design, that I understand, but I'm talking about CLOUDS of smoke, it was a windy day today and my Rx-7 covered half of my side of the block with smoke sitting there idling. I read about it, and I'm thinking either leaking apex seals or block EVC(I don't even know what that is)? The only information I can give about the engine is that its the stock 13b Na engine on the S4. According to the last owner, it was recently rebuilt, maybe a couple thousand miles on it, probably still in break-in period. Its running on 20 50 right now and I just filled it up with 87 octane. This happened before we purchased the vehicle also, we got it for a steal, and my dad didn't mind paying for it to be repaired or repairing it himself.
Here are some pictures after 4-5 minutes of warming up:
Second problem. I went and checked the oil level today (which was low), decided to twist the oil cap open and this is what I found:
Like I said before, I don't know much about cars, but that looks like some sort of build up.
Are these two problems common? How can they be fixed if they do need to be fixed?
I really appreciate the help guys.
06-11-07, 07:38 AM
#2
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
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It looks like whoever "rebuilt" the motor took a lot of shortcuts.
The oil filler neck would normally be cleaned as part of a rebuild. This looks like a combination of condensates from combustion blow by and coolant, hopefully from its pre-rebuild miles. Wipe it out as best you can, rinse it down, & change the oil, all at the same time.
Then see what condenses there after the next few hundred miles.
The smoke could be from the metering oil pump (MOP) linkage being loose or badly bent. Or the rotor side oil seal O-rings were not replaced.
The apex seals are strictly compression/combustion seals and don't affect oil consumption.
EVC? - Maybe PCV? Not on a rotary.
I have a copy of the manuals at the link in my sig. Download whatever you need.
For your reading pleasure, the FAQ threads at the top of this forum will answer most of your questions.
The oil filler neck would normally be cleaned as part of a rebuild. This looks like a combination of condensates from combustion blow by and coolant, hopefully from its pre-rebuild miles. Wipe it out as best you can, rinse it down, & change the oil, all at the same time.
Then see what condenses there after the next few hundred miles.
The smoke could be from the metering oil pump (MOP) linkage being loose or badly bent. Or the rotor side oil seal O-rings were not replaced.
The apex seals are strictly compression/combustion seals and don't affect oil consumption.
EVC? - Maybe PCV? Not on a rotary.
I have a copy of the manuals at the link in my sig. Download whatever you need.
For your reading pleasure, the FAQ threads at the top of this forum will answer most of your questions.
06-11-07, 01:38 PM
#4
Whitish, the blue was from the lighting. I don't have another rotary to compare power with but it feels pretty normal, the engine doesn't suddenly stall in power or anything.
I'll go get some oil after school and change it and see what happens.
I'll go get some oil after school and change it and see what happens.
06-13-07, 02:09 AM
#6
So long story short. My parents parked the car at their warehouse, so I can't even get to the car to check everything you guys told me.
Second of all, some idiots, hopefully not the mechanic, told my parents that Rotary engines are horrible engines. My dad is complaining about why we decided so soon on purchasing this vehicle, even though he knew of this problem beforehand and he still wanted to buy the car :/ Of course he's not saying this to me, hes saying it to my mom, because both of parents don't even recognize me as the owner of the vehicle even though I paid for it, and they probably don't even recognize me as a thinking person.
Hopefully the mechanic that'll see it tomorrow isn't some idiot and knows to appreciate rotaries and help me diagnose/fix the problem. If not I'll probably come back to you guys for help.
I'm trying to find some people in my area to help me with my car. The original owner lives down the street, and once school's out I'll call him up and ask him to come over and check it out for me.
As for flushing the neck of the oil filler. Does that mean i have to get one of those kits where I attach my hose and flushed the whole system? Whats the difficult level of something like that and how do I properly dry it to make sure theres no water remaining inside, or is it ok if I pour oil in and it gets mixed with the water?
Thnx again for the help guys!
Second of all, some idiots, hopefully not the mechanic, told my parents that Rotary engines are horrible engines. My dad is complaining about why we decided so soon on purchasing this vehicle, even though he knew of this problem beforehand and he still wanted to buy the car :/ Of course he's not saying this to me, hes saying it to my mom, because both of parents don't even recognize me as the owner of the vehicle even though I paid for it, and they probably don't even recognize me as a thinking person.
Hopefully the mechanic that'll see it tomorrow isn't some idiot and knows to appreciate rotaries and help me diagnose/fix the problem. If not I'll probably come back to you guys for help.
I'm trying to find some people in my area to help me with my car. The original owner lives down the street, and once school's out I'll call him up and ask him to come over and check it out for me.
As for flushing the neck of the oil filler. Does that mean i have to get one of those kits where I attach my hose and flushed the whole system? Whats the difficult level of something like that and how do I properly dry it to make sure theres no water remaining inside, or is it ok if I pour oil in and it gets mixed with the water?
Thnx again for the help guys!
06-13-07, 07:19 AM
#7
Seduced by the DARK SIDE
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Location: Orange Park FL (near Jax)
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To clean the filler neck:
To clean it attach a rag over the end of a stick & wipe it out.
Maybe put some gas on the rag to finish it up.
In the process some trash is likely to fall into the sump.
An oil change will get most of that. When the dirty oil is drained, but before you reinstall the plug, rinse it with a little gas.
To clean it attach a rag over the end of a stick & wipe it out.
Maybe put some gas on the rag to finish it up.
In the process some trash is likely to fall into the sump.
An oil change will get most of that. When the dirty oil is drained, but before you reinstall the plug, rinse it with a little gas.
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