2000 MAZDA RX-7

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when hot, Loss of power and boost, Excessive oil consumption (more than 1 qt per 1,000 mi), White or blue smoke from exhaust, Rough idle and misfires

Fix: Full engine rebuild required—housings resurfaced, new apex seals, side seals, springs, bearings, gaskets. Expect 25-35 labor hours at a rotary specialist. Non-negotiable to replace all coolant seals and upgrade to improved apex seal materials.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: No boost or weak boost above 4,500 RPM, Check engine light with P0035/P0045 codes, Rattling or squealing from turbo area, Excessive oil smoke under boost, Sluggish throttle response in secondary turbo range

Fix: Primary or secondary turbo replacement—often both are worn by this point. Includes new oil feed/return lines, gaskets, and actuator solenoids. Also replace pre-cat if still present (cats disintegrate and damage turbos). 12-16 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $2,800-5,000

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Overheating under load or in traffic, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, White smoke from exhaust (coolant burning), Steam from oil filler cap, Milky residue on dipstick or oil cap

Fix: Internal coolant o-rings and seals fail—only fix is engine teardown. Rotary housings have coolant passages sealed with rubber o-rings that harden and leak internally. Requires full disassembly, resurfacing, and rebuild. 25-30 hours minimum.

Estimated cost: $4,000-6,500

Symptoms: Erratic idle (hunting between 700-1,200 RPM), Boost spikes or overboosting, Poor throttle response, Check engine light with lean codes, Turbo actuators not functioning properly

Fix: Replace entire vacuum line system—dozens of small rubber lines become brittle and crack. Includes actuator solenoids, air pump valves, and boost control solenoids. Tedious job with 4-6 hours labor tracking down every line. Use silicone vacuum line for longevity.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil pressure drops suddenly, Coolant in oil (milky appearance), Oil in coolant reservoir, Overheating despite good coolant level, Oil pressure warning light

Fix: Oil coolers (mounted in front bumper area) develop internal leaks allowing coolant and oil to mix. Replace both coolers and all lines. Flush entire system multiple times. 6-8 hours labor. Aftermarket upgrades recommended over OEM.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking during hard acceleration or deceleration, Vibration at highway speeds, Difficulty shifting into gear, Driveline shudder, Visible movement of transmission when shifting

Fix: Transmission mount rubber degrades and crossmember develops stress cracks from hard launches. Replace mount and inspect/reinforce crossmember. Some crack repair requires welding. 3-5 hours labor depending on crossmember condition.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Symptoms: Intermittent no-start conditions, Loss of ECU memory/settings, Random misfires or fuel cut, Dash warning lights flickering, Car runs then suddenly dies

Fix: OEM ECU capacitors leak and fail over time—common on all 90s Mazdas. ECU rebuild with new capacitors by specialist or replacement with aftermarket ECU. If tuned with Power FC, those units also need capacitor replacement. 1-2 hours labor plus shipping/bench time.

Estimated cost: $350-800