So my 07 Mazda rx8 MT overheated and was burning white. I pulled into a parking lot as soon as the needle pinned max temp and shut it down (bad idea to wait for that to happen). Me and my dad just got done rebuilding it and as it turns out, we didn't position the crank pulley completely flush like we thought so badda bing, belt snapped, badda boom, water pump stopped. Anyway, i came back with a new belt to see an oil puddle on the ground. The leak looks to be coming from where the engine and transmission meet. I hope to god that it might be a shot rear gear seal?? Correct me gently if im wrong. Have any of you more experienced Rotards run into this same problem? Pls help. I really don't wanna sell a rolling chassis when money and sweat just got poured into it.

 

I'm not sure what the question here is, but get under there and check. Could just be the oil pan. You're closest to the car

 

 

I would check the oil filter housing or oil filter first for a leak. It could be that the oil was running down the engine where the engine and trans meet and dripping from the center of the bellhousing causing you to think that the rear main seal were the culprit. As far as the overheating is concerned, start the engine when it cools and make sure there are no bubbles forming in the expansion tank or that there is not a ton of white smoke coming out of the exhaust. Chances are that if you turned it off quick enough you'll be ok.

 

I'd just add that, were this my car, I'd bring her in to Mazda and have them check the engine for any damage as a result of the overheating. Yeah, it's probably fine. And yeah, taking her to Mazda will cost you a few $$$. (Just a few, not a lot.) That said, I'd want the peace of mind that comes from knowing my engine is okay, before continuing ownership over the coming months and years with an engine that might be permanently damaged. You don't want to spend time and money addressing something that ultimately can't be fixed.

But yes, you turned her off real quickly and your Renesis is probably fine.