Most Common FD RX-7 Problems

If you are planning to buy an RX-7, you totally should, but be aware of what issues you may run into!
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[@nyce.monique]

Few other points to mention: 1. OMP failure: this is why most people premix with oil specifically made for rotaries or TC-W3 certified 2-stroke oil. You run into an issue where either your OMP won't provide enough oil, or it just completely stops working and you won't really know when it dies (there are ways, of course, but it's complicated and I'm trying to be brief lol). Personally, I have my OMP deleted with a block-off kit and add extra premix oil (Idemitsu) to compensate for that. Though OMP failure seems to be rare, it does happen, and it's one of those things where the general consensus is "better safe than sorry"; make sure you always premix, regardless of whether or not you have an OMP. 2. Coolant seal failure: probably the second most common failure for a rotary engine and isn't talked about enough. Coolant seal failure has a multitude of causes (overheating, using tap water instead of distilled water with your coolant, retaining wall failure, etc.), and most new owners don't really learn about coolant seal failure until it happens to their car. Everyone worries about the apex seals, which is genuinely a concern, but if you're running a low boost, mostly stock set up, the coolant seals are more concerning than apex seals IMO. 3. OEM temperature gauge: The stock temperature gauge works, however, you won't really know you're overheating until it's too late. There are really only 3 "stages" (cold, normal, too hot), which leaves a lot to be desired. There are mods that you can do to the stock gauge to make it work linearly as the temp goes up and down but, personally, I like a number readout. I recommend installing an aftermarket temperature gauge if you don't have an ECU that can output that information to either a PFC commander or an app on your phone/android based head unit (I know Adaptronics has an Android app). Ultimately, I agree with @scotty305, people are too focused on clout chasing that they throw all of these high power, expensive mods at their rotary-powered cars and then wonder why it's not "reliable," but they haven't done any reliability mods, or any research to understand the impact of whatever mods they're putting on the car. It's not rocket science but it does take effort and a willingness to learn, which is what any true rotorhead will tell you. Rotaries, at the end of the day, are only as reliable as their owners.

[@ioriOki]

The OMP and coolant temp issues are actually covered in the next video, but thank you for the write up. I think the point is being missed that though I love my rotary car and it never leaves me stranded, I do have reliability mods, but even with the best reliability mods, it will not be nearly as reliable as a typical piston engine in any capacity. The rotaries are many cool things and reliable is relative. So relative to any other engine that lasts hundreds of thousands of miles with crumby maintenance, the rotary is not in the same league.

[@nyce.monique]

@@ioriOki I figured you would probably cover some of these things in your other videos. For the sake of helping future (or current) rotary owners in the event that this is the only video they watch, it's good to have more comprehensive information, even if it's just a comment. 🙂 Also, your point wasn't missed. I understood what you were trying to get at in the video, so my statements are general and not a personal attack against you and your opinions. I think your video provides good information that people can utilize. My point is, there is so much misinformation in the rotary community, and "experts" that it's really hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. People should go in with realistic expectations and understand what it takes to maintain one and they'll be fine. Typically the loudest folks crying about "unreliable rotaries" are the people who didn't do their research, didn't do their maintenance, and couldn't be bothered otherwise with maintaining the car. Everybody wants the clout of having an fd rx7 but they don't want to deal with rotary problems. There are people out here who *genuinely* care about the rotary platform and want to see it live on and thrive, I just wish that attitude would transfer to this new generation of rotary owners that only see more instagram followers and tiktok likes when they look at their car. All that being said, the rotary is definitely in a league of it's own, for good reason, and not just for "unreliability."

[@ioriOki]

Oh I understand. I agree with everything there. It hurts seeing the cars in really bad shape, or my favorite *single turbo conversion with no oil cooler or radiator upgrades* or straight pipes on stock turbos with no IWG porting. I'm not the expert, but I love learning the car. I can't wait to share with you guys my MAC upgrade system for the rat nest! Thank you for the comments and support as always. I hope we can meet soon!

[@nyce.monique]

@@ioriOki I'm sure we'll cross paths in person one of these days, the miata and rx7 communities are very small 😄 Most of us aren't experts, there's always someone who will know more than you. Keep pushing forward and keep learning. ❤️ (also lol'ed @ stock oil coolers + single turbo because that's fairly frequent)

[@animebobacafe]

Nice video thanks for the tips! 👍

[@ioriOki]

You’re welcome! Good luck with your RX-7 purchase

[@animebobacafe]

@@ioriOki actually got one 93 r1 low miles almost stock. @officialmodbugs 😁

[@glennl78]

Very informative, seems to me that FD’s just have a couple more things to check during standard maintenance services. They do sound so good when running great and screaming at high RPM. I have avoided rotaries just due to lack of knowledge on my part. I might have to re think that in the future.

[@ioriOki]

They really aren't bad, but you do have to be a very attentive owner.

[@scotty305]

​@@ioriOki FDs are such a great car in mostly-stock form, I think too many people get caught up adding 'social media clout' mods like wheels and coilovers and big turbos and bodykits but neglect reliability mods and basic maintenance. The 13BREW is more like a 7MGTE or EJ20T or VQ35 in terms of reliability, it's not bulletproof like a 2JZ or LS1 or K-series. But with near-stock power and good tires FDs are a probably more fun to drive than most other cars, and they really don't cost much more than regular cars if you're focusing on maintenance and reliability mods.

[@ioriOki]

@@scotty305 I agree and disagree. The rotary is great, but its simply not a reliable engine. You can't just get in it and beat it. You have to be super attentive and even then they probably won't last much longer than 60k miles... some make it to 100k but its much less common. 7M's.... not so much. You can beat those, same with VQ's, and piston engines in general. I don't want to call the rotary engine something that its not, but I do love it and respect it and the powerband is quite fun, but yes its going to take some money in reliability mods and alot of maintenance.

[@VictorHernandez-sz3eh]

Ordered my fujiwara shirt last week! 🤙🏽just got shipped today 🔥

[@ioriOki]

Holy crap! Thank you! Sorry for that delay, they're made to order on my weekends!

[@VictorHernandez-sz3eh]

@@ioriOki you’re welcome! I just got it yesterday!! It’s awesome 😎

[@evil_rotary7]

The first black box device that you mentioned can often cause power window to not work, if you want a cheap fix, you can actually open up and use a wire to jump two points on the circuit board. If your only symptom is the power window, you can use this method to save some money.

[@ioriOki]

Woah woah woah! Do you know where there is a write up on this? I'm interested!

[@evil_rotary7]

@@ioriOki I have a detailed write up on my Ins story highlight, you just have to bridge the two pins on top right corner of the CPU2 circuit board. There's also some other useful fixes on there for the FD community😺

[@JOhnnnnny611]

can the first thing you mentioned cpu2 thing effect turn signals? Mine stopped working and i checked the fuse and relays all seem good, not sure where the problem could be.

[@Ls60ett_s30]

Killing it!!

[@ioriOki]

Thanks fam, I need to hurry up and get your car on the channel.

[@Ls60ett_s30]

@@ioriOki I’m trying lol

[@dat1dood97]

Bro I miss you guys! I’m planning out if I’m able to go to AZ next May/June for BMW training so I’ll be able to kick it then!

[@ioriOki]

We will be ready for you !

[@Macinvodakin]

Rotary engine, not here for a long time but good time 👍

[@ioriOki]

Here for the best times.

[@Macinvodakin]

Also it's an old car with old problems. But still an awesome experience to drive with factory twin turbos or single turbo. 🤙

[@ioriOki]

I'm still on factory twins having a blast!

[@Macinvodakin]

@@ioriOki If you want to learn more how the twin turbos work check out this video by RX7bruh. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnrIZGtqfZmeq7c

[@Evmoy15]

I think what was the best here is that you started off with setting the expectation that a rotary is reliable, but it's not at the same time. If you pay attention and give it what it needs it will do what you want it to do, but it's not ever going to be a B series or a VQ or whatever where you can dump oil and fuel in and whump the pedal. It's a complex machine and you need to treat it as such, operating it more than just driving it. That being said they're beautiful cars and engines and I think they deserve to be ran just like any other engine, even if they're a bit more needy.

[@ioriOki]

You said it perfecly.

[@RidingwithKee]

😍😍

[@fnnpc746]

My dream car 😍

[@ioriOki]

They're pretty awesome. Not gonna lie.

[@kobeyamaminami2901]

I am looking to get a Mazda RX-7 FD too, very informative. You are very pretty and cute :)

[@ioriOki]

This means a lot! Thank you so much for taking your time to watch my video:)

[@kobeyamaminami2901]

@@ioriOki I look forward to watching more of your future videos

[@AdamYeatesyuh]

people are scared of rotary’s because they require a tiny bit more attention but when you give it to them they’re just as reliable as any other engine

[@ioriOki]

They're all good.

[@scotty305]

Did my first comment get flagged spam for mentioning rx7club forums? You've got a lot of good info here, but also missed plenty of things the rx7club crowd has considered 'FD Reliability Mods' for decades. Run thicker oil and change it often to avoid fuel dilution. Run 50/50 coolant (not just water) and change it every 1-2 years to avoid rust. Replace the plastic radiator with aftermarket. Replace or delete the plastic AST. Don't trust the OEM coolant gauge, get an aftermarket one. Activate the fans at lower temps to keep the engine cooler. Replace the pre-cat with a JDM or aftermarket downpipe. Keep the boost below 12psi on the stock ECU, it's not programmed to run safely above 12psi boost.

[@ioriOki]

That's actually a completely separate video I have recorded, but not released yet. This one was more aimed at people who are just looking. The next videos will be reliability mods followed by a "how to purchase" video. Then everything we talk about will be performed on that black FD in the background, so I hope you stick around and enjoy. Also, hit the like button so it gets my content in front of more people please!

[@scotty305]

​@@ioriOki already liked and subscribed, I'm looking forward to hearing your perspective. Have you had your FD for a while now? I like mine but I'm not sure I could afford to buy an FD at today's prices, if shopping today I would also look at a new or barely-used ND Miata, Toyota GR86, or maybe C6 Corvette.

[@ioriOki]

Thank you! I have had it for a few years now. I also own a turbo NA miata and a C6 corvette, so I would definitely recommend a C6.

[@jasonanderson2876]

Good morning…. Happy monday i think??

[@ioriOki]

Yes! New upload day is monday, just to kind of see how it goes.

[@fd3sdc2r]

Hi I’ve Been following you on KZbin and love all your videos! Keep it up. To support I’ve brought 2 tshirt and rotary key chain, would you able to sign on those tshirt anywhere you like that would be great! Peace out! All the way from Australia

[@ioriOki]

I can absolutely do that for you! Thank you so much for the support.

[@fd3sdc2r]

Sweet! Keep it up what you doing. Love the fd3s :)

[@BruceLyeg]

My biggest FD RX-7 problem is that I don't have one. Even trashed ones are selling for a fortune around here.

[@BruceLyeg]

Dealio

[@ioriOki]

I feel that. Unfortunately they aren't worth what a lot of people are asking, but that's clout.

[@BruceLyeg]

@Truth you’re a genius

[@user-jp8tl1wi7g]

Thanks for an excellent video!! I love Wankels! You are very beautiful 😍

[@djthewafflehouseconnoisseu9403]

I can’t wait for the LS or JZ swap! 🥰🙌🔥

[@ioriOki]

Wait till I blow my 13b lol

[@pizzaslayer7]

Listen gurl,i don't even have the slightest bit of idea what you say, but i ain't Flirting or something but you BOTH look CUTE 😍 btw I'm 12

[@ioriOki]

Oh yeah, I'm working on my English. I'm sorry, but thanks! Stay in school and hopefully I'll see you on the road in 4 years !

[@adriangarcia6857]

Ls swap soon?

[@ioriOki]

Oh noooooo, I already have a corvette.

[@justinebebe9863]

hi beautiful❤

[@ioriOki]

Thank you so much Justine!