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Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2021 1:47 pm
by Hobbawobba
I forgot to mention the other day. Don't put a higher pressure cap on. It will just mask the issue, rather than fix it
I do recommend an aftermarket coolant temp gauge. Oil temp is a good one also
You mentioned your overflow bottle was full when cold. This will fill up quite a bit once warmed up. So maybe try and have it more towards the lower line when cold?
I would definitely adjust the electric fan to come on when too cold, rather than too hot. Then dial it in from there
I was having issues with mine getting hot a few years ago. Turns out the sensor in the top wasn't sealing proper. Might also be worth having the system pressure tested?
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:53 am
by RX7Mazdaman
So, dropped the car off to Tim @ RX Motors. He's redone the water seals and done a street port for me. Moved sensors and fan controller components around so electric fan goes on and off correctly. Car now starts on 1st key turn with a bit of choke. No horrendous gases like it was trying to kill you before with coolant.
Brakes locked up on his 5mile test drive. We already swapped the brake bias valve last time it was with him, so found on ebay usa a replacement master cylinder and he's hopefully fitting in the next couple of days, then i can drive it. Been a couple of years ( pre covid ) since we drove it, so excited.
Ideally it could do with a new exhaust, but only ones i can see are racing beat or the essex rotary one. Anyone know if there are other options, recommendations for road use, so not loud.
Thanks
Justin
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 3:36 pm
by marksport
Build your own exhaust then you get what you want.
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2022 10:08 am
by RX7Mazdaman

- The mazda garage
- 20220418_143925.jpg (132.97 KiB) Viewed 12962 times
Car is finally back, it's still clunking from the rear when you go over a bump. Tim reckons the springs are wrong for the shocks, but he has other work to do, so the car is home. I did buy the racing beat lowering springs 2 years ago to go on the car, so have ordered a set of kyb shocks from the USA, so hopefully that will be it sorted and I can get back to driving it.
Hopefully get to see some of you at shows and car meets later this year.
Justin
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 11:32 am
by spirit r
RX7Mazdaman wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 10:08 am
20220418_143925.jpg
Car is finally back, it's still clunking from the rear when you go over a bump. Tim reckons the springs are wrong for the shocks, but he has other work to do, so the car is home. I did buy the racing beat lowering springs 2 years ago to go on the car, so have ordered a set of kyb shocks from the USA, so hopefully that will be it sorted and I can get back to driving it.
Justin
My kayaba gas shocks working perfect with the shortend and progressiv working Eibach springs together with the Fiat 850 spider rubber distance part.
It's very important Justin to check the little pressure of the two springs, when the rear axle is hanging down, only connected with the shocks.
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2022 6:31 pm
by Hobbawobba
Sweeeeet! With exhaust options, a custom exhaust shouldn't cost a whole lot. They're pretty simple and straight systems. Just find a competent shop who will listen to what you're after aye

Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:16 pm
by RX7Mazdaman
So, car had a run out today. Had to swap out the mishimoto fan controller for a Davies Craig unit, as it came on too early and therefore never went off. The new one I can set the temp to turn on and it runs the fan until that temp -5 , then goes off. Setting it for 90c seems to work well.
Still got some rattling and bangs from the rear so hope to see some other 7s in near future to see what others think.
Next question for the team, has anyone found a place to buy the metal clips that the interior side panels above the seat belt units use to hold them onto the body ? Has anyone made their own interior panels from hardboard and moved over the covers, mine have got much bigger slots and have warped over time.
Then last question, for front windscreen wipers, the wipers are not returning fully. When they next turn on , they go downwards, before doing their next arc, finishing part way across the screen, can this be adjusted, I don't mean just taking the wiper off and moving it, more the return aspect.
Thanks
Justin

- Upton Bridge Farm
- 291887011_10166558191870577_3157453565790323119_n.jpg (132.93 KiB) Viewed 12841 times
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:48 pm
by ian65
Hi Justin,
the wiper return mechanism is built into the motor unit, I had a similar issue a few years back, it's easiest just to swapped the motor unit for another one. I took mine apart and tried to fix it but had no joy.
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:54 pm
by KiwiDave
RX7Mazdaman wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:16 pm
So, car had a run out today. Had to swap out the mishimoto fan controller for a Davies Craig unit, as it came on too early and therefore never went off. The new one I can set the temp to turn on and it runs the fan until that temp -5 , then goes off. Setting it for 90c seems to work well.
Those Davies Craig fan controllers are excellent. Where have you located the fan controller temp sensor?
Re: Rebuilding XLJ181X slowly
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2022 8:03 pm
by RX7Mazdaman
So, finally got round to visiting Tim @ RX Motorsxand picked up a replacement 13" wheel, front wiper motor mechanism, passenger electric window mechanism.
After much shouting, swearing, scratching head, I realised the trick to getting the front wiper setup out, was to partially rotate the wipers, by switching them on and killing 5he power so they stopped part way, easy then to extract. Repainted, swapped motor, replaced electrical connectors that disintegrated when touched and was back working.
Front passenger window, turned out to be all the bolts were loose, window had dropped off the front guard. Reset, greased up, tighten up bolts and now works well. Spare now kept for the future.
My front 13" wheels with Toyo proxies r888 and 205/60 are too wide and rub on full lock, so going to refurb the extra wheel and put 2 185/60r13 toyos on them. About 20 years ago I refurbished my RX7 wheels with a sand blaster and it worked well. Last set I had done for this car they did a diamond cut, which seems to have taken depth off the wheel, which means the Mazda log is not so pronounced, what have the rest of you done ?
Still lots of annoying bits to sort, but it's MOTd but historic car status so no more road tax.