The symptoms you're describing sound like another possible head gasket issue. Now whether it has blown one purely because the previous job wasn't done properly, or you have an inherent cooling system issue like a blockage in your radiator or thermostat issues etc. That is definitely the question and what you need to sort out. Help is definitely here in spirit, so post as many questions and photos as you can and we'll see what we can do, but unless you have mechanically minded friends (or forum members) nearby, you might be best advised to find a trusted mechanic, but sadly your wallet may not like it.
 
Now I think the previous estimate of 5-7k for a good Aus delivered one is a bit optimistic to be honest. As much as I love adubs and wish they were all preserved in great condition, in reality most Aussie ones have worn fairly, but worn none the less, and are well into over 200k on the chassis and engine. In this spec you are lucky to get over 4k in good condition, more likely 2.5-3.5k. The special ones are definitely fine for asking 7k.
Even imported SC models in fair condition are 3.5k upwards. I would hope to get between 5-6 for my SC auto once all the issues are sorted, and that's purely because of how great shape the chassis is in and the parts I've managed to refresh in the process of my ownership.
 
Hope you can find it in you to fix the adub, if not make sure it goes to someone who will definitely keep giving it love and look after it. I have my whole extended family wishing they owned mine in particular but I'd probably only trust my old man and father in law with the keys.

Thanks man, better advice I couldn't ask for. Certainly hoping it isn't an improperly fitted (new!!!!) head gasket. The chief reason that I'm not willing to shell out for something like that is that I already spent the earth the last time something went wrong. I was thinking of selling maybe for about $2200? Not sure: it is running well, has another 6 months of rego, and doesn't overheat if it's topped up (I still have to check it today to see if it's holding fluid or not). But it's hail damaged.
 
If I were working man with enough money, I'd probably fix something like a head gasket for sure - but I'm on a disability pension, and your taxes are paying for it! ;)

Oooh, possible good news. I took it out for a spirited drive yesterday and the level in the evening was fine. I filled it to the brim at about 9 PM last night, and when I checked it today, it had dropped almost an inch, without having been driven. This would suggest there is a slow leak somewhere, yeah? (That would be a nicer scenario).
 

anarchisttomato
Oooh, possible good news. I took it out for a spirited drive yesterday and the level in the evening was fine. I filled it to the brim at about 9 PM last night, and when I checked it today, it had dropped almost an inch, without having been driven. This would suggest there is a slow leak somewhere, yeah? (That would be a nicer scenario).
 

Forgive me if you have already done this but have you checked under radiator and felt around radiator hose joins for leaks?  Also apart from head gasket problem worst case scenario is faulty water pump which may be seeping water out under engine. suggest you check these things after it cools down after driving.

Nik_Lee
Hey MR2QIK I'm curious in which ways having a modded FD S8 reinforced your love for your MR2? My partner loves the FD and I'm sure she may some day be tempted sell the STi for an FD but at the same time she is weary of their reputation of being a money pit for reliability where as the STi never misses a beat.

It's very easy to fall in love with the FD....Those DAMN sexy lines, brilliant handling, "x factor", love it or hate it rotary sound & all round high performance with pedigree/reputation. Iconic first tier Japanese sports car from the golden 90's turbo era.

But.....they've got more than their fair share of imperfections. IE suck in many ways. My biggest gripe.....NO TORQUE! Sure, the rotory is dynamic, has a natural ability to accelerate, adores rpm & spools turbos like it's 3.0L piston engine, but around town it feels like a 1.6L single cam. My 2 destroys the FD around town or cruising the hwy. While on topic, rotors are not forgiving & will throw in the towel (apex seal) when pinging faster than a piston engine. The stock IC is a draw failure with the stock MR2 side mount. The AST's crack which can lead to a major failure (easy fix though), the sequential turbo system is complex (rats nest of vaccuum lines that cake, solenoids that fail). Having said that though, they can be as reliable as a piston engine, you just need to know how to look after them & watch out for. Owning as FD is similar to owning my modded MR2, so not straightforward like an Evo or STI. I would never own an FD without a backup & without a healthy bank balance/buffer. When buying an FD, budget for a potential rebuild IMO.

Oh....and the interiors feel cheap & poorly put together. Also harder to disembark than the MR2.

But yeah.....still an FD RX7 :)

Have you followed the proper burping procedure?
 
The AW11 cooling system takes almost 12L of coolant, so an inch drop could be from it not being filled properly to begin with.
You need to have the heater fully on (so turn on the car and crank the heater all the way up then switch off the car), there's a bleeder valve there (under the bonnet right up the top of the firewall, you may need to remove plastic trim to get to it). Connect the "service hose" i.e. clear plastic hose to it and turn the tap on top until you see coolant run up the hose.
 
There's also a bleeder valve at the top of the radiator on the passenger side; remove the plastic trim between the headlights and it's right there. Again plastic hose here and snake it around the bonnet prop and turn on the top until coolant runs up the hose. If coolant doesnt run out then either you haven't opened the tap enough, or you are missing a lot of coolant!
 
In the engine bay you need to find the thermostat housing above the gearbox, there's a plastic screw there that needs to be taken off; this is usually the first point where coolant runs out, so if you remove it and coolant overflows there immediately, just put the screw back in straight away. Also make sure both the rubber O-rings on that screw are in good condition.
 
With those 3 bleed points checked. undo your coolant cap, and fill coolant until all three bleed points show coolant in the hoses and it overflowed on the thermostat, and no air bubbles escaping, and no coolant level dropping at the cap.
 
Once you think you have filled it enough, close all the bleed points, and turn on the car without the cap on. make sure the level doesnt drop at the cap, sometimes it can overflow a little bit too, so don't worry if it does, if it over flows a LOT though the warmer the car gets, then you may have a head gasket issue.
 
Run the car for around 2mins without the cap on (by this I mean have it idle in your driveway, not actually drive it!). switch off the car, fit the cap all the way on then take the car for a drive and see if it overheats then or not.
 
If you lose coolant at this point, take it to a mechanic who can perform a reliable cooling system pressure test, as well as an exhaust gas detection test in the coolant. This will not cost you a lot of money and will give you a definite answer if there's either a head gasket issue or cooling system issue.

Blimey, thanks maj!!!!!! :) Heh, if this were the Silvia forum, they'd have told me to f*ck off for being a n00b by now.
 
I might archive those tips for future use, but given my poor health and the relative heat, I might book it in for a pressure test - it's probably time for a basic service anyway. Cheers guys! :)

If you ever want a good read about the procedures for stuff like this, the MR2 workshop manuals are available here:
 
http://manual.teq.org/
 
This is the Bible for anyone who works on their own MR2.

Ahhhh, you are a god!

I used to change my sports cars every 3-4 years from 1970 to 1987. I had an AW11 for 3 years and I then bought an SW20 which I have had
for 22 years.
I thought they would become a classic in time, so I kept mine in immaculate condition, but still enjoyed driving it as it was meant to be. My MR2 has been loved by me every time I admire its styling or go for a spirited drive. To me it is priceless.