I noticed my FD had been showing all the signs of the coolant seal going out on me the past couple months, and a couple days ago it seems to have really gone out on me. As soon as i start the car and the engine turns over, no warming up required, it billows white cloud behind it. The cloud kind of lingers, so I almost suspect it's not simple water vapor, but I'm assuming it's the coolant seal from teh signs it showed before.

My question is - do you think I might be able to patch it with the block weld treatment temporarily so i can save $ for the rebuild? Is it worth a try, or am i risking some damage i'll be regretting? (bear in mind if i do rebuild i'll be replacing the radiator along with it.)

I suspect at this point the seal is just too depleted to repair with a sealant, but I'd like any input you might have as i could really use some time to prepare for this rebuild.

Thanks.

 

Check this thread:

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=191608

 

I did it on my car, I had serious trouble starting the car before I added it, it was so bad. Added it and it worked perfect. Lasted about a month before things just went to hell and I had to rebuild.

 

thanks for the tips. mahjik, that thread is definitely giving me some ideas about avoiding the block weld treatment.

after examining what my car is doing a bit further, i've noticed that it's not losing any coolant at all and it's losing oil like mad... now i'm thinking it might be turbo related. my smoke definitely lingers longer than i would expect water vapor to (lingers for a minute or two before going away) and doesn't smell distinctly like coolant, but i can't tell if it's bluish in color.. looks much thicker and white. how confusing!

i lost about a quart of oil from the time i topped it off 2 days before it billowed smoke.