SupaDoopa

I know I haven't yet found the EXACT area as to where it would be leaking from, but last night I let it sit and found a small puddle of oil on the ground. I am going to grab an oil change later on today [probably closer to I'll be leaving within the hour] and have them check. I noticed a small collection on the plastic skid plate and it looks like it's coming from the front of the motor. It was a re-man'd motor with about 43K on it. Is there known issues as to where I should start to look? I appreciate the help and I know there will be some flamage, but that's expected; especially on an internet forum.

alexdimen

iTrader: (13)

omp to front cover seal
oil pan
turbo oil return gaskets

The most likely culprit is your oil pan. The fix is to re-seal it like this:

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/mythbusters-time-oil-pan-motor-mounts-488739/

hades

iTrader: (4)

i have a reman with very low miles. Last year the front cover seal went out. i cleaned up the engine, but the oil was "running" very fast so it was hard to find the source. I ended up using uv dye to trace it to the front cover and not the oil pan. Rotary Performance was quite "impressed" with the rate of oil loss I had. Just a thought to help out.

SupaDoopa

I was at the dealership with a regular oil change and they were pretty impressed in the saturation under the motor and they recommended the same; oil dye. I'm assuming a front seal replacement is no joke.

alexdimen

iTrader: (13)

It's not as bad as you'd think, aside from the possibility of screwing up the thrust bearing in the front stack if done improperly.

Let us know what the dye shows. I've always done it old school... clean the engine, run it, and cheack again. You're def going to need to remove the undertray regardless.

You can also deduce where the oil came from by what parts of the engine are saturated. Oil is not going to flow up... if only the pan and undertray are wet, then it's the pan/motor mounts.

SupaDoopa

True story. I am finding a good day to finally give the undertray a bath. Unforunately, it was under 10 degrees here with the wind chill bringing it under 0.

I've been thinking of LS swapping it. Yay or nay? I know there is another thread for this, but I suppose an honest opinion while I wait to find the leak wouldn't hurt.

bajaman

Looking back thru some of these old posts....bored at home as I have the day off.

I wonder where one can find this oil dye?

TpCpLaYa

iTrader: (10)

I know I use to order them for my shop from NAPA. It is a fairly common product....the dye you would be looking for would be labeled for coolant/transmission/oil leaks(at least the product I got was). Its compatible with all the systems and is similar to A/C dye. Mine came in small vials that would equal one application. A UV light and glasses will be needed to really make the dye POP although sometime it's not needed.

Here's a quick example/find. You would use all the contents of one vial (sometimes less depending on the amount of oil capacity and the size of the leaks)
http://www.toolsource.com/gas-engine...rceid=googleps

TpCpLaYa

iTrader: (10)

I just looked at NAPA's website and I don't see anything. If you have a local autostore with a Commercial department that is where I would check. The Commercial departments deal strictly with the local shops and businesses and they will typically have a lot more product in stock relating to diagnostics and repair compared to a strictly retail store...this goes for all most if not all the big auto part retailers. Just gotta go in and ask

bajaman

Tracer Products TP34000601 UV Fluorescent Leak Detection Dye - Set of 6 : Amazon.com : Automotive

I think I am going to buy this TRACER brand product. It appears O'Reilly's auto parts has it.

Thanks for the advice!

bajaman

I got my dye in the mail today. The instructions say to use .5 oz to 5 qts of oil, and that it is safe to leave in the oil. I hope there isn't something unique to the rotary that would make it UNSAFE to leave in. I guess .5 oz in 150 oz of oil really is nothing...