Loosing coolant Help!!

rx7pat · July 16, 2008, 09:46:33 PM

Hi everyone my fc\'s engine went last year, but managed to source a engine in working order. Spent a couple of weekends swapping the engines. Got it all reconnected and started the engine.... well it starts but wont run on idle just cuts out after a couple of seconds. but the main worry is my coolant dissapares rapidly and steam seems to come from around the left side of the engine near the turbo??

Any ideas if i could have got a connection mixed up or something that would cause this?? thanks pat

m1tch · July 16, 2008, 10:10:31 PM

When you swapped engines did you damage the engine as it went in as there are the water journals around the outside of the engine, plus when you swapped the engines had the new engine had new water seals and stuff?

rx7pat · July 16, 2008, 10:16:22 PM

the engine was rebuilt by dragon so should be good. I was pretty carefull when i put it in so i dont think anything got damaged. what do the water journals look like?

pdtaylor18 · July 16, 2008, 11:30:17 PM

The turbo is water cooled so make sure all the unions are tight, it may well have been disturbed during its original owner.

rx7pat · July 17, 2008, 06:11:12 PM

ok gonna check it out now thanks

rx7pat · July 19, 2008, 06:13:44 PM

ok anyone got any ideas the engine will start run fine above 3000rpm but if i let off to allow it to go to idle it dies after a few moments??

m1tch · July 19, 2008, 09:27:52 PM

Perhaps the idle adjustment screw?

TiddlesRX7 · July 19, 2008, 10:48:16 PM

Is it still steaming or not? If not then try the idle screw on the BAC valve if it it is still steaming then like above, check all the fittings on the turbo as its water cooled.

rx7pat · July 20, 2008, 08:17:03 AM

i seem to be loosing coolant still but it was only steaming out by the turbo because one of the gaskets was damaged. i tried it again and even if i control the throttle if i let it fall below 2000rpm it sounds really rough and cuts out. which makes me think it is something else? as the car wont even run anywhere near idle. do you think vacum problem? I can post a video later if it helps? thanks

TiddlesRX7 · July 20, 2008, 12:21:23 PM

If it does run smooth above 2k rpm then it sounds to me like the engine itself is ok. It could be something like the AFM or VAC leak of some sort. I\'d be a bit worried about loosing water though. That indicates one of the water seals in the engine is leaking. It would explain why its running rough from what i\'ve read about it. Lets hope its one of the easy fix things.

pdtaylor18 · July 20, 2008, 07:58:06 PM

I would do a few things and in this order:

Compression check (this will dispel a coolant leak or not)
Air flow meter (check volts and resistance)
Check throttle cable tension
Check and adjust Throttle Positioning Sensor ( Cured my eractic idle)
Check values at the BAC
If you can get some fault codes from ECU? is it standard?
Check all vacuum hoses even if you have to take the UIM off.

Has this engine been run since rebuild?

Tighten all intercooler hoses and any associated hoses.
Check all earth points, there is one under the throttle housing, one goes to the right hand bracket support for the TMIC, one from the gearbox to above the clutch reservoir.
There are several at the front by all the front light connectors etc but these mainly for the front end. The engine ones are very important to ensure a good smooth running engine.
If you can swop the ECU, It has been known to get wet.

rx7pat · July 21, 2008, 06:03:45 PM

ok thanks for all the input guys really appriciate it!! will check all these things out and keep you posted, patch