TRexRampage

Hello

Let me start by telling what I've done to the car since buying it three weeks ago. (In case may help)

It is a series 1 with a new motor my friend built for someone who installed. (They gave up hence I'm the proud owner of a Rx8) Thanks to my bud for the referral...
(My friend is certified in these motors.. for aviation too! We build together, I trust him.)

It was half installed so I tore the engine accesories off and started from scratch. During install I tested and if needed replaced any sensors, relays, seloniods, check valves, ignition components, air pump, hoses, ect the list goes on. Intake M. completely cleaned along with all the corresponding valves. (vacuum tested the valves too before installation) I used a service manual to make sure all this was correctly installed as I have only worked with 2nd & 3rd gen Rx7. (I double check and recheck!)

The car is together and runs perfect. Smooth idle and no lag throughout the band (range of rpm) with load or without. (different terms for different germs ;-))

The problem I'm having is there is an oil leak. Not just any leak, the biggest f#%^*#$ leak I've ever encountered.
First time- light comes on and I check the pan... oil is on pan and oil sensor. I figure, replace the pan gasket... there isn't one! Yes I know how to use gasket seal properly and did. I wipe everything up clean, fill with oil, and drive. Next day check the pan and it's dry.

2 days later, light comes on! I check the pan, but its still dry. I lift the car roll under and inspect... only place wet is the cross member and trans where it meets motor. NOTE: 1 full qt was lost in not even 50 miles of driving.

I begin my check:
1-Oil cooler lines
2-Oil metering pump
3-Oil cooler
4-Oil filter
5-Oil pan...AGAIN!
6-The front seal area
7-The rear seal (removed starter)
8-the top of engine and all around
9-removed cat and checked exhaust manifold

DRY DRY DRY

I've never been this stumped. Does anyone have any ideas? Did I miss something? The only thing I'm unsure about is the plastic oil fill assembly under the UIM. Could this be leaking internally to some magic spot above the cross member or something? Again, there is no oil on the motor underneath (where plugs and such are) only on the crossmember below and the trans where it meets the engine. No, its not the oil pan! Thats dry! Swear! First Rx8 so I don't know the ins and outs yet

Please, I'm up for suggestions, ideas, miracles... HELP!!!
Thanks, Mike

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Have you checked the tail pipes? Are the insides becoming caked in oil residue? Have you checked the mirror for the haze of oil smoke?

Have you checked inside the upper intake manifold?

Edit: The bellhousing is the only place I can think of that could hold that much oil if it was leaking and not hitting the ground. I think it's being burnt, through either a vacuum problem that is dumping it into the intake, an oil control ring problem that is dumping it directly into the engine, or an OMP problem that is basically unmetered uncontrolled injection.

Since you have a cat, I'd expect it is still busy choking your cat to death, so it probably isn't noticeable while driving yet. If you were catless, you would probably see the smoke.

tpb7463

iTrader: (1)

Three more locations to check:
- base of the oil filter neck
- oil pressure sending unit
- rear main seal (check it again)

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tro...mption-212932/

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Did you check the o-ring on the oil pedestal under the oil filter?

TRexRampage

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I finally found the leak!
Turns out it was on the drivers side where the quick connect from the oil cooler compartment to engine bay is. The leak only occured at higher rpm not idle. Had my brother rev it while I inspected all the lines and poof there it was. The leak was actually shooting like a fine stream into the wheel well cowling and it was running down and emptying on to the cross member.

I took that piece O **** oil line system out, went to the local hydraulics dealer and assembled an all new set of lines. (3 exactly) to and from engine and between oil coolers. Braided lines with an swivel fittings no more quick connects! Cost me less than 200 bucks. :-) If you haven't done this it is a good idea. Racing Beat sells one for 445, but that is to steep for my pockets. (make your own)

I was actually thinking of replacing the 2 coolers with one large one. Anyone done this?
In any case my 8 is up and running, inspected, and the best part of each day I have to drive!

Thanks again for the input. Mike

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

9krpmrx8 did a single cooler conversion a few years back. Some oil pressure benefits but I think he ended up going back to the stock coolers. I'm not sure about that, you would have to search around. No real gain over the stock coolers, they are already pretty good.