jspecracer7

if oil is running down the d/s side of the engine, check the oil cooler line that connects to the rear of the engine. Also, the oil filter attachment that bolts to the engine has 2 10mm nuts that hold it in place. Underneath the attachment, there are 2 oil rings. If they have gone bad, you will leak oil from here(It did it in my FC that's why I know)

Kremlar

Well, just talked to my mechanic and took a better look for myself.



He says the oil leaking is definitely coming from the throttle body. Said there was some built up there when he unbolted the rubber from it, and can see that it leaks from that point down, and that's basically the highest point.



But, definitely no substantial smoke when starting...



Any other advice?

rotary speedster

Did you take the intake elbow off? There is no way that it can be leaking oil out of it and the car not smoking. Plus if it is leaking oil than its leaking air, which will cause a boost leak. What rubber are you talking about unbolten from it, the 1in diameter hose?

Kremlar

It was on the right side of the throttle body. Was more like 3", I believe there are 4 bolts that attach it right to the throttle body. Sorry I don't can't explain better.



Definitely no smoke, at least no more than a small puff when not started for a couple of days. Mechanic felt that maybe there was no smoke because the oil was not actually getting to the engine, but leaking out at the point where that big hose (is that the intake elbow?) attaches to the throttle body.



For all I know, there could be a boost leak. A boost gauge is on my to-do list. I should have one on there soon. While I'm on that topic - can I pick one up locally, or is the internet my best bet? What should I put on my shopping list?



This car is new to me, and I don't have a lot of experience driving 3rd gens, so it's hard to say if the turbos feel correct. Flooring it in second, for example, feels smooth and strong, with a surge of power around 5k RPM or so. Without a boost gauge, guess I can't give a better description than that.



I can say that I am familiar with driving a '99 M3, which is 0-60 in 6 seconds or so. The RX-7 feels quicker. 1 second 0-60 quicker, I don't know...



Thanks again...



Mike

Kremlar

OK, now my nightmare just got about 10x worse.



This morning I talked to my mechanic and decided he would just clean up the oil in the area it spilled, replace my plugs, give me an oil change, finish checking my coolant, and we'll see what happens.



Well, I guess he left the cooling system under pressure overnight and this AM he disconnected, changed my oil and filter, started it up and it ran like **** and blew lots of blue/gray smoke. He says it's running 'very rich'. He swapped the plugs, said he tried replacing the air sensor, and says it's running slightly better, but basically I'm screwed now.



It starts, runs like crap, seems like it's going to stall, and blows out blue/gray smoke.



He's basically bailing on me, says he has no clue and thinks I should bring it to a dealer.



Unfortunately, there are no good rotary mechanics around me that I know of (otherwise I would be bringing it there).



Someone please tell me something good.

rotarypower101

Where are you located?

maybe one of the guys here will know somebody close you could go talk to and help you evaluate the situation

Kremlar

Massachusetts...

jspecracer7

Check the line going to the map sensor. It may be possible that it got disconnected. Map sensor's located on the driver's side firewall, near the intake elbow. Should have a silicone hose going from it to the throttle body(or any nipple on the intake assembly).

rotary speedster

The guy messed it up! Take it back to him, and tell him you want it to be running like you gave it to him! He needs to double check everything he done to it, ie. plugs and wire in the right place...aswell as hoses. I mean it was running right this moring, right? Then don't take it to him again or any other dealership for that matter, they are all about making money!

Kremlar

Thanks for the tips...



I just got back from my mechanic, who says he didn't do anything to it and it's just a result of the previous problem, which may be true. I wasn't trying to be an ***, but he just wants to bail out and leave it running 50x worse than it was, even though I was willing to pay him for his time.



He claims he checked the MAP sensor and it was hooked up, but didn't know if it was bad. Said the car didn't show anything wrong when he hooked it up to his computer.



So basically, I told him to screw and took my car back.



I'm thinking of just shipping the thing to KD Rotary and be done with it.



I don't know, but I'm so upset right now...