Hey guys,

First of all thanks in advance...

I bought a '90 RX-7 convertible, and when I test drove it it seemed to run and drive great.

The next morning I start it and it blows out THICK clouds of white smoke... It generally lasts about 5 minutes and quits.

So I found this forum. I was advised it was a coolant leak. I thought I had fixed the problem with alumiseal, because I put some in and the next morning it didn't happen... It was just a coincidence though.

So I'm pretty upset and just let the car sit for over a week. I decide to go look at it, and the coolant level is fine... But the oil was bone dry, it was full just a week earlier.

I start it up (after topping off the oil), and sure enough it smokes like insanely crazy, fire department got called, it was bad.

So I bought some Lucas oil treatment and put it in. The next morning no smoke!

This lasted about 2 days... I can keep buying Lucas treatment every 2 days but that doesn't sound like a smart plan.

My first question is... It's been sitting for a few days now, and I live in an urban area... I DON'T want the fire department called again...

Is there any way to drain the oil that's leaking in and burning before I start it, so it won't burn?

A buddy told me that synthetic oil won't smoke when it burns, and to try that. Any thoughts on filling it up with synthetic?

And finally (I've searched btw) I know it's leaking/burning oil, it's not coolant. Is there anything I can look into repairing beyond a complete rebuild to stop this from happening?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

-Scott

 

Where is the smoke coming from? The engine bay, or out the exhaust pipes? If it's coming from the engine bay, you're going to set the car on fire, as it is probably dripping onto the exhaust manifold.

If it's coming from the exhaust, the oil control rings are probably shot. A rebuild is the only way to replace them.

 

The rotary engine is designed to burn a little oil to keep the apex seals lubed when running. There is actually a pump installed that injects oil into the rotor chambers, it uses the engine oil for this. Your 1990 is controlled by the Engine Computer and is not adjustable, unless you have a serious malfunction in this system I would agree with the last post and say you have some internal engine damage and need an engine overhaul. If you want to add synthetic oil to stop the smoking you will be going through a lot of money keeping the oil sump full if it is using oil as fast as you say. Probably a better idea to find a rotary shop and have the car checked out.

 

Here is a little trick I learned from a rotary shop owner. Put 4 quarts of Valvoline VR1 SAE 50 racing oil (not 20-50), and 2 bottles of STP Oil Treatment. Will smoke less than synthetic and way cheaper.

I use this method in my NA S4. One time I decided to put Idemitsu in instead of the VR1 SAE 50... BIG MISTAKE, smoked way more than usual and ate it up like nothing.

 

Thanks. I'll try this...

As for the posts about the engine being shot, I'd say you're probably right, but if there's anything I can do to avoid a rebuild at this point I'm going to give it a shot.

I don't have the money right now, thanks for the advice though.

-Scott

 

I would pull all plugs and disconnect both coils and crank the engine - line the engine bay with towels to catch all the oil and gunk that may come out., drain the oil pan and fill with regular oil for your engine. put in new sparkplugs, reconnect and check all wiring, then start her up. Let her run for 10-15 min, if shes still blowing smoke you may have a bad oil / apex seal.

 

and do the above at night so less people notice the smoke

 

Well if you dont want an overhaul there are some tricks.
Probably the oil seal orings are worn out and just when they get warm they dis-stuck. Try pouring some ATF in the spark plugs holes at night and let it di-corbonize your oil seals at least a little. You can also try a dis-carbonize treatment in a shop but you have the risk of a no compresion engine after that.
Good luck