Exploration gets me here.....

[OrecaViper]

Hi there, ( I\'m no way a mechanical novice but definately an RX7 and rotary novice!!! )

Just thought I would post this as I am not sure if this is a prob or not..........
Just came back from a run and popped the bonnet to a tiny bit of steam from the passenegr side of the engine bay.
Had a look and to just behind where the plastic oil filler neck goes into the block there is a tiny tiny bit of coolant just resting on what looks like a ledge or something.
I really cant see in there much at all but is sits on what  looks like a block to head surface that you would find on a piston engine.

Sorry for the vagueness but even being a fully qual mechanic doesnt help me that much when it comes to these awesome ( and unusual beast!!!) so i thought best put it out to the masses to see if you guys know what is there or experienced similar?

The car doesnt seem to be losing coolant and it doesnt really look like it has dripped down anywhere so I guess it might be my natural inquisitiveness to explore these different engines that made me spot something that on a normal engine I might just pass over as one of those things!?!

One last thing that would prove very useful is where exactly do you check the coolant? I have been checking the dip stick on the drivers side ( near headlight ) but wondered if that was correct?

Many many thanx for your reading of this rather long post and hope to hear your replies, Neil.

[gsb876]

Hi Buddy,

the overflow tank on the drivers side is not to be filled with coolant, you only fill from the centre cap.
It may well be that you have over filled the driverside water tank and it is throwing coolant out when warm???

Happened to me at Jap show where somepeople came running over saying theres coolant dripping out of the bottom of the engine bay, i told them i had over filled the coolant and it was getting rid of excess coolant

Hope that helps ?

Gurj:wave

[OrecaViper]

Thanx mate,
Took another look and where I saw the coolant there isnt anywhere that it could really have been coming from ie. the housings and where they join ( which was my big worry! ).
So looks like I have been filling it wrong as I last topped it up into the middle pot and then topped up the drivers side check tank....ooops!
However I would like to know where you mean that it throws it out cos that could have been the cause and the coolant just worked its way to that spot?
Many thanx again, The ever PARANOID, Neil!!

[gsb876]

Neil,

In the day light have a look at the overflow tank on the drivers side, when you over fill there is a little hole at the top which allows the water to pour out if over filled. Put some water in during the day and you will see where it pours out from, as you know water expands when warm so it expands until it pours back out.

Hopefully thats the only thing it was, otherwise check the overflow tank for cracks and the hosing to see any leaks. Alternatively only fill the coolant from the middle and check every other day to make sure it isnt dissappearing somewhere?

Gurj:wave

[andrewrx7]

There are several coolant pipes and connections around the area you\'re talking about.

http://www.iluvmyrx7.com/3rdgen/manuals/94%20manual/94E%20-%20Cooling%20System.pdf

Scroll to Page 2.

One way of bleeding the coolant system is to release a pipe in that area (highest point of the system). Perhaps what you see is spilt coolant from a coolant change, and it boiling off when the engine is getting to high temps?

Just a thought!