New to forum but I've had my '88 convertible since new

JonB · 05-28-2013, 01:19 PM

Hi, I am the happy owner of a red 1988 RX-7 convertible. I bought it new in January, 1988. It has 114,000 miles. I previously owned a 1979 RX-7. I have one question about my wonderful car. I was looking on the Internet for some info on the car when I came across this:

"One real Achilles’ heel on these cars (2nd generation RX-7's with the 13B engine) is the eccentric shaft bypass valve. This valve lubricates the oil seals and o-rings, but only after the engine heats up. If it fails, you won’t know it until the engine stars to smoke, and by then it’s too late. Most premature engine failures can be attributed to either this problem, over-heating or abuse. The solution is to replace this item as a matter of course (as you would an air filter element) every 75,000 miles or so."

Does anyone know whether my moderately driven and well-maintained car should have the eccentric shaft bypass valve replaced as I have never had it done? The car does drip a few drops of oil from this general area now and again but only a very little bit. Any idea on price and availability for this job?
Thanks in advance.

JL1RX7 · 05-28-2013, 03:36 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. Keep the oil changed, don't let it get hot and your good.

But if you want it done it is a full engine tear down. So at the very least all new soft seals, etc.

Welcome to the club by the way. Lots of good info out there.

JonB · 05-28-2013, 09:47 PM

Thanks a lot. One more thing. A technician for a Mazda dealer suggested that I rev the engine to around 7000 whenever I drive the car. As my car has been getting older I rarely have been revving it past 5000 or 5500 and I do not rev it that high every time I drive it. Do you agree with revving it to 7000 or so every time I drive as something that is good for the engine?

JL1RX7 · 05-29-2013, 01:05 PM

Rotaries like to be driven and driven hard. The whole redline a day debate is just that. Everyone has an opinion on it but few hard cold facts. It is better to run them hard to keep carbon build up off of them. Hence run to redline. But "running" it to redline then shutting it down isn't the best idea. Again like I said earlier keep the oil changed keep it from running hot and NA's will last a long time. So drive around neighboorhood find some good open area's and have fun.

JonB · 05-29-2013, 02:07 PM

Thanks again!

05-28-2013, 01:19 PM	#1
JonB The Newbie Join Date: May 2013 iTrader: (0) Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	New to forum but I've had my '88 convertible since new Hi, I am the happy owner of a red 1988 RX-7 convertible. I bought it new in January, 1988. It has 114,000 miles. I previously owned a 1979 RX-7. I have one question about my wonderful car. I was looking on the Internet for some info on the car when I came across this: "One real Achilles’ heel on these cars (2nd generation RX-7's with the 13B engine) is the eccentric shaft bypass valve. This valve lubricates the oil seals and o-rings, but only after the engine heats up. If it fails, you won’t know it until the engine stars to smoke, and by then it’s too late. Most premature engine failures can be attributed to either this problem, over-heating or abuse. The solution is to replace this item as a matter of course (as you would an air filter element) every 75,000 miles or so." Does anyone know whether my moderately driven and well-maintained car should have the eccentric shaft bypass valve replaced as I have never had it done? The car does drip a few drops of oil from this general area now and again but only a very little bit. Any idea on price and availability for this job? Thanks in advance.

05-28-2013, 09:47 PM	#3
JonB The Newbie Join Date: May 2013 iTrader: (0) Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the reply Thanks a lot. One more thing. A technician for a Mazda dealer suggested that I rev the engine to around 7000 whenever I drive the car. As my car has been getting older I rarely have been revving it past 5000 or 5500 and I do not rev it that high every time I drive it. Do you agree with revving it to 7000 or so every time I drive as something that is good for the engine?

05-28-2013, 03:36 PM	#2
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	I wouldn't worry about it. Keep the oil changed, don't let it get hot and your good. But if you want it done it is a full engine tear down. So at the very least all new soft seals, etc. Welcome to the club by the way. Lots of good info out there.

05-29-2013, 01:05 PM	#4
JL1RX7 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Front Royal, VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 487 Rep Power: 17	Rotaries like to be driven and driven hard. The whole redline a day debate is just that. Everyone has an opinion on it but few hard cold facts. It is better to run them hard to keep carbon build up off of them. Hence run to redline. But "running" it to redline then shutting it down isn't the best idea. Again like I said earlier keep the oil changed keep it from running hot and NA's will last a long time. So drive around neighboorhood find some good open area's and have fun.

05-29-2013, 02:07 PM	#5
JonB The Newbie Join Date: May 2013 iTrader: (0) Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Thanks again!