Smoke at start-up

[Jeffrey0]

I have a 1985 RX-7 with the 1200A 4bbl and a manual transmission. It blows a considerable amount of white smoke when I start it and continues to do so for a couple of minutes until it warms up. It does not blow any smoke after that. It only does this after the engine has not been on for a long period of time, like overnight. It otherwise seems to run fine, and strong at that. I just changed the oil, plugs, filters, fluids, etc.; which did not seem to help. I have heard many possible causes for this that cover the entire spectrum, including: this is "normal", that it is coolant and needs a seal replaced, and finally that it needs an entire rebuild. Any help/thoughts/ideas/comments would be greatly appreciated!

[MBTN]

The white smoke does indicate coolant being in the combustion chamber. The seals are on their way out. When the are cold they are letting coolant past, but when they warm they expand and no longer let coolant through. How many miles are on the motor?

[Jeffrey0]

It only has 89K original miles, but was only driven 1k over the past 8 years (and hardly any at all the past 2 years).

[MBTN]

Well that explains it... 1k over 8 years? That motor pretty much did NOTHING in that time. I put 1k in a month-and-a-half. Those seals froze up. Rebuid time!

[Jeffrey0]

I've never done one... any advice on rebuilding? What is the best basic rebuild kit available? How much should I plan on spending? Would it be better to buy a rebuilt engine and if so, any idea where to get one? Again, thanks for the reply and advice!

PS - I checked out www.rotaryaviation.com and they only sell kits for 1987 to present.

[MBTN]

It's better to have someone rebuild it for you. Check this site:
http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/

[Jeffrey0]

FYI... I followed the link and found this kit:

Kit A Includes:
Overhaul Gasket Kit
Apex Seal Springs
Corner Seal Plugs
Corner Seal Springs
Side Seal Springs
Oil O Ring Vitons
Front Main Seal
Rear Main Seal
Pilot Bearing and Seal
Hylomar Sealant
Details

Weight 2.20 lbs
Price: $ 240.00 (€ 208.80)

I will definitely have someone else do it. Thanks again for the help!

[ShortyDTP]

is't this normal???
rx7's are supose to burn white smoke a start up for 15 to 20 seconds , cuz it injects oil in the conbustion chamber to keep the seal lubricated?

i don't know about a couple of minutes tho.
i am still learning here!!

[Steel]

but oil doesnt burn white. And it injects oil at all times. White smoke all the time is an indication of blown collant seals. The engine is fine, but it just sucks, casue that measn a rebuild is needed to get to those seals.

[ShortyDTP]

Yeah it injects oil at all times (I knew that one), but i din't know about the smoke colors and meanings. cuz My s4 throws white smoke that at start up for 10 seconds , and this is once in a while tho . Is my car good? or colant seals are gone too?

P.S And thanks steel for the Info.!!!

[RX_speed]

that is a sign of bad coolant seals. you can still run the car of course, but if you go to long without getting it rebuilt the side housings can also start corroding away and make rebuilding your engine alot more costly

[Soyo]

the smoke at start up should usually be blue, sometimesits a little black though. the only time you should see white smoke is when its cold out, because thats normal