On 11/07/2012 at approximately 7:15 a.M. While leaving work I noticed smoke coming from behind the radio. I immediately pulled over and realized there was fire coming from the engine compartment. I was able to put it out quickly before it spread. The damage to my car was somewhat substantial under the intake manifold. I took it to a local repair shop and it was diagnosed, and explained that it's a common issue with this particular model. I did a little more research and found that the issue is the pulsation dampener that is attached to the fuel rail mounted under the intake manifold causing it to fail and com-bust. *Tr
Engine & cooling
Mazda RX7 Engine problems by year
20 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda RX7's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest RX7 engine complaints
I was driving down the highway doing 63 mph when I smelled a funny smell I pulled over and the front of my car was on fire. The pulsation damper failed causing serious engine damage and almost cost me my life if it wasn't for other motorist I would not be here my arm was slightly burned but it quickly healed I have not currently had the car repaired im seeking a best estimate for the repair. *Tr
Driving home from my parents house I noticed my gas light come on on the freeway. I was a little confused because I had just put gas in the tank. I pulled off once I had gotten down on a side street near a gas station to have a look to see what was going on. Immediately as I got out I noticed black smoke coming out the hood. I ran into the gas station grabbed a fire extinguisher and another guy ran out with me and when I popped the hood the engine was completely engulfed in flame. After putting it out I had to...
Read the full complaint
get my friend to help me tow it back to my parents where it still sits totaled. After a bit of investigating I came to the discovery my pulsation dampers on my 1987 rx7 had leaked gas directly onto the engine and exhaust manifold catching the entire compartment on fire. I also investigated other instances of this happening and this seems to be a fairly common occurrence on the rx7, especially years 1986 to 1988. With this I would like to request a recall and reimbursement of damages for the victims of pulsation damper failer resulting in engine fire. *Jb
*Ohio traffic crash report* a fire originated from the engine compartment. *Jg *jb
Moderate fuel leak. Replaced to avoid engine compartment fire. Car does not run like it did before. No power above 3500 rpm.*Ak
Consumer was driving when he saw a flare, pulled vehicle over and noticed smoke coming from under the passengers side, it looked as if the muffler was on fire, fire department chief said from looking at it the catalytic converter may have gotten clogged up. (Ohio traffic crash report #1091565) *jg
I took the car to a local mazda dealer for a coolant leak. They said they fixed the problem. While they were test driving the car, the car caught on fire. Fortunately, it was close to the shop, and they put down the fire without any injuries. The car was totally destroyed. According to the mechanics at the dealership, an oil line is very close to the exhaust pipe in this model. The exhaust pipe is as hot as 800-900f when the vechile is operation. There is one plastic connection on the nearby oil line. The plastic...
Read the full complaint
connection cracked open that day, possibly because of age and/or tempreture change (it was about 0f that day.). Te engine oil then came out and caught on fire because of the nearby hot exhaust pipe. To my knowledge, the 87 rx7 turbo is the first or second model year of this paticular model. If the fire was indeed caused by oil pipe, many other rx7's would have this danger soon. I am really concerned about the safety of other rx7 owners. By the way, this car was always in excellent condition. Though I am the 2nd owner, I know the first owner quite well and we have always kept good maintainance of it.*Ak
Pulsation dampener failed and filled the vacum line assembly with fuel.
COOLANT LEAK (INTERNAL). *AK
The problem I had, with the fuel pulsation damper, is an extremely serious and hazardous situation. Located on top of the upper intake, there is a screw that will back itself out that seals the pulsation damper closed. When this screw backs out, a strong gasoline smell is noticed in the engine bay and inside the vehicle. On turbocharged cars, the pulsation damper is located directly over the exhaust manifold...This is not good! Especially for a design that seems to back itself out over time. The part is quite...
Read the full complaint
expensive, I feel that this is not the cause of user abuse, but rather poor design and the consumer should not be made to suffer, especially for such a faulty design with such hazardous consequences. This is an extremely serious problem, and I'm sure if you contacted more rx-7 owners (2nd gen, 86-88), you would fine numerous people have this problem (although might not know where the 'fuel leak' is coming from!). Thank you for your time.
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
When warm the vehicle shuts off. It floods itself when trying to restart. Problem still exists, dealer cannot repair it. *Ak *ml
ENGINE FIRE.
ENGINE FIRE.
Consumer was driving and the abs brake light came on , took to dealer the oil was leaking . Please describe .*Ak
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data