Mazda Rotary Club

Cars by Model Type => 3rd generation RX-7's => Topic started by: Icesurf3r on September 18, 2006, 12:46:58 PM

Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Icesurf3r on September 18, 2006, 12:46:58 PM
Ok guys i have developed a very minor oil leak.  I\'ve been checking my oil daily before driving the car and in 2 weeks have only had to top the oil up twice (as you look at the dipstick it was 2 crosses from been full).  But looking at my driveway it is definately depositing oil, even if rather slowly.

Now is an oil leak on an RX something that a reputable performance garage could sort, or does it need to go to a rotary specialist???
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Rixio on September 18, 2006, 12:57:16 PM
Should be ok depending on where it is on the car...best bet is to get it checked at a normal garage...if looks complicated or a place they cant get to take it to a rotary tuner...:)

Rixio
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: CraigN on September 18, 2006, 01:37:35 PM
if its the sump gasket its a pain in the arse !
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Bobfish on September 18, 2006, 08:46:52 PM
It probably is the sump gasket. Thats the only place they really leak from. Jack up your car from one side from the front and have a look under, if the back of the subframe is shiny its probably a sump leak.

that means engine out or subrame drop...

Or put up with it...like i\'ve been :P
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Red and Single on September 19, 2006, 07:28:47 AM
Mine is leaking from the OMP.
It used to leak from the turbo drain hose too.

So it can leak from other places !!

hth
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Blatstar on September 19, 2006, 01:35:57 PM
I second that too.
Like leaking from the rear crankshft seal :( thought it was using a tad too much oil, even for an RX7, took ages to find but eventually the clucth started slipping and gave away the source of the problem. Is yours slipping at all?
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: dre on September 19, 2006, 03:55:24 PM
I have a sump leak too!! It is quiet common. You can buy a sump pan brace from Gotham Racing. That is what i intend on doing. Should stop any future leaks!!
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: DarranJones on September 19, 2006, 04:15:25 PM
I had an oil leak and thought it was the sump. Turned out to be the main engine oil seal or something. The one that\'s between the engine, clutch , and gearbox.

I\'d take it to a specialist every time because they know what they\'re looking for.
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Icesurf3r on September 21, 2006, 07:57:45 AM
Quote from: BlatstarI second that too.
Like leaking from the rear crankshft seal :( thought it was using a tad too much oil, even for an RX7, took ages to find but eventually the clucth started slipping and gave away the source of the problem. Is yours slipping at all?

I take it that once the crankshaft seal was sorted, the clutch stopped slipping?? I have noticed a slight whining from the clutch area, but tends to be when i\'m holding it at the biting point or hill starts etc...
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Rotary Rex7 on September 21, 2006, 08:59:06 PM
could be the rear oil seal but could also be the O ring around the rear stationary gear. They go hard and break and alows oil past. this will be around the clutch etc. This is a job best done by a specialist.
Title: Oil Leak
Post by: Blatstar on September 22, 2006, 01:08:26 PM
Icesurf.
It was because the clutch was slipping that I had the gearbox off in the first place, then noticed the weeping from the rear crankshaft seal. As a matter of course I replaced the clutch as the old one was contaminated with oil. I presume it would have soaked in to the clutch friction materials to an extent and it would continue to slip. The whining you mention could well be the thrust bearing on the clutch itself, usually not too much of a problem and will mostly get noisier the more it wears. Replace it when you next change the clutch.