2001 MAZDA RX-7

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Loss of compression in one or both rotors, Hard starting when warm, rough idle, White/blue smoke on startup or under boost, Loss of power, misfires under load

Fix: Complete rotary rebuild required—apex seals, side seals, corner seals, all gaskets, coolant seals, plus machining of rotor housings if scored. Expect 25-35 labor hours for removal, teardown, reassembly, installation. Many owners upgrade to street-port or mild performance rebuild while engine is out.

Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Wastegate solenoid sticking or chattering under boost, Secondary turbo not activating (loss of top-end power), Boost leaks at intercooler couplers or piping, Turbo bearing failure with oil smoke and whine

Fix: Sequential system has multiple points of failure: solenoids (2-3 hrs), actuators (3-4 hrs), or full turbo replacement per side (6-8 hrs each). Many owners delete the sequential system and upgrade to single-turbo for reliability. OEM turbos are getting scarce.

Estimated cost: $800-3,500

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Temperature climbing past halfway mark under load, Coolant loss with no external leaks (internal o-ring failure), Air separator tank (AST) cracking or corroding, Radiator clogging from debris or old coolant

Fix: Rotaries are heat-sensitive and will fail quickly if overheated. AST replacement is 2-3 hours, radiator upgrade 3-4 hours. Many replace plastic AST with aluminum aftermarket unit. Full cooling refresh (rad, hoses, thermostat, AST, water pump) recommended on high-mileage cars. Must use proper premix and never run hot.

Estimated cost: $600-2,200

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking on shifts or throttle transitions, Excessive driveline vibration at highway speeds, Visible sagging or cracking of rubber mounts

Fix: OEM rubber mounts age out and tear. Transmission mount replacement is 2-3 hours, PPF (power-plant frame) bushings add another 2 hours. Many upgrade to polyurethane for longevity but adds NVH. Rear subframe bushings often done at same time.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Lean condition under boost causing detonation, Fuel pump whine or failure to prime, Poor idle quality, stumbling on acceleration, Check engine light for lean mixture

Fix: Rotaries are extremely sensitive to lean conditions—detonation kills apex seals. Fuel filter (1 hr) and pump (3-4 hrs, tank drop) are common neglect items. Primary and secondary injectors can clog (5-6 hrs for R&R and cleaning). Upgraded pumps common on modified cars.

Estimated cost: $500-1,800

Symptoms: Rough idle, stalling, or erratic boost control, Check engine codes for air/fuel mixture or vacuum leaks, Cracked or brittle vacuum lines under hood, Rats nest of old hoses and solenoids failing

Fix: The 13B-REW has a complex maze of vacuum lines controlling turbos, emissions, idle. All rubber degrades after 20+ years. Full vacuum line replacement is 4-6 hours of tedious work. Many delete emissions equipment (check local laws). Use silicone line for longevity.

Estimated cost: $300-800