Split water hose or water seal?

[Welsh Dan]

Hello.
Since I picked my car up from having replacement turbos fitted, it doesn\'t appear to have run as it should, and has felt as though the first turbo wasn\'t kicking in properly (bugger all pull up to around 5k) but I assumed that with the exhaust and filter it needed mapping, which was due to be done in early september.

Anyway, went a bit quickly over a pothole on thursday, but since then, the exhaust note has got quieter (as it was blowing before)and it seems to be running exactly how an RX7 should, which is nice. However, what is not nice is the fact that it now appears to be leaking coolant.

I went out to it yesterday morning, and it looked wet underneath. Started it up, and the coolant light came on straight away. Had a look, and it was near enough empty. Filled it up, started her again, and a fair bit came out from what appears to be the back of the engine, but stopped after a few seconds. After it warmed up properly then, it started dripping a bit, but stopped again a few minutes later. I\'ve checked it every time i\'ve driven it since, and it does appear to be losing coolant now, but it only appears to form a tiny puddle underneath . Went out this evening, and parked up, and soon enough, there was quite a bit of a puddle which appeared to be quite oily (oil and coolant), below the turbo. I can see that the turbo looks like it has a bit of an oil leak on the pipe going to it, which hopefully just needs tightening or replacing.

I think that when I went over the pothole, it may have moved the exhaust slightly, and stopped it from blowing. But, what would cause it to leak coolant? I\'ve had the car on axle stands, but we can\'t see where water appears to be leaking from, other than the rear of the engine somewhere? Is it likely to be the water seals that have gone, purely by concidence? The car starts first time, from hot and cold, and runs absolutely fine (as far as I can see). Its not been overheated at all (as far as I know) and its only started losing coolant over the last two days. There is a slight smell of coolant in the engine bay again from the rear of the engine.

[clive]

Hi Dan

Whilst you do not mention who changed the Turbo\'s l would call them ASAP and talk to them.

You will not have caused an oil leak by just "bomping" the exhaust as the oil pipes are quite flexible , also there are two water pipes going to the Turbo\'s so you could have a leak from one of these or it could be that the car was not run sufficiently to bleed and settle the system properly and has an air lock.

p.s. when topping up as described elsewhere, only top up via the cap on the engine ( when cool) just so you can see water down the neck because if you put too much water in it will blow water out.

Hope this helps

[Welsh Dan]

Righto, an update.
Its now loosing the coolant quickly, but it seems to be dripping onto something hot (the exhaust most likely) as it doesn\'t always form a puddle, but sometimes there is steam coming from the engine bay.
However, when it did form a puddle today, it was rather a big one. But its still only dumping it intermittantly (or so it appears :confused: )
Its still starting on the dot, and theres no white smoke on start up. Runs absolutely fine, apart from starts to drip slightly, and every so often leaks loads.
Its going into the garage that changed the turbos next week, but any further info as to what it could be?

Finally, if its truely knackered (which I hope it isn\'t), what should I be able to sell a good condition 92 RX7 Type R for, on the basis that it needs a rebuild?

[gsb876]

I would advise not to run the rx until its been checked out buddy, as if the engine has not gone it will do if theres a problem with the cooling.

BTW whats the mileage on the motor???

[Wav]

From what you\'ve said it just sounds like the garage haven\'t fitted the turbos correctly at all. Leaking oil and a probable water leak somewhere at a turbo connection doesn\'t give me much faith in their abilities with rx\'s. But yeah like Gurj says don\'t drive it until they can look at it properly, chances are it is just a loose water pipe on the turbo, but using the car with a leaking coolant hose will dramatically increase the risk of popping your engine, if it hasn\'t already. If i were you i\'d trailer the car to Pip at WGT (rotary specialist in Northwich) for him to sort out and then send the garage that fixed (botched) your car the bill.

Fingers crossed for just a water leak,

Paul

[Welsh Dan]

I took it to Mazda today, as there wasn\'t much chance of it going much further, and I need it sorted ASAP. Apparently, one of the original 6 or so guys who was trained on the UK FD\'s works there and so obviously knows his stuff.
Anyway, they put it on the ramps and they said that it appears to be the gasket on the inlet manifold that is leaking, which is good (in a way). However, it requires the turbos taking off and a new gasket being put on. At Mazda labour rates, they said two days, and even with mates rates it would be around £800 + VAT. However, i\'m going to take it to the original place where it was done and get it replaced there. I\'m hoping that its an oversight on the original garages part as I know the person has lots of experience with RX7\'s.
I don\'t wish to name the garage at the moment as I do believe it was a simple oversight and i\'d rather let them have a chance to sort it out first.

[20B_boy]

Originally posted by Welsh Dan
At Mazda labour rates, they said two days, and even with mates rates it would be around £800 + VAT.

Yowch! should be able to get it done for less than half that EASY at most RX7 garages I\'d guess? Or free if the garage is reasonable!

[Welsh Dan]

Sorry, I meant at £800 + VAT mates rates in Mazda, as a mate is one of the mechanics there and the guy seemed genuinely interested in the car. I was previously charged £300 to change the turbos, so i\'d guess at this price or lower to change the gasket.