R100 (Familia Rotary)

1968-1973 / Coupe / Japan

All R100 (Familia Rotary) problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension and Driveline

Leaf Spring Sag and Fatigue

Symptoms

The rear of the car sits low, the ride becomes bouncy or harsh, and handling deteriorates. Cracked leaves may be visible on inspection.

Cause

The R100's rear leaf springs lose their temper after 50 years of use. The original springs were designed for a car weighing approximately 850 kg, if the car has been loaded heavily or used on rough roads, the springs fatigue faster.

Fix

Have new springs manufactured by a spring shop to original specifications.

Alternatively, upgrade to a coil-over rear conversion if the car is being built for performance rather than originality.

Cost: $300-600 for new leaf springs; $1,000-2,000 for a coil-over conversion.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $300-600 for new$1,000-2,000 for a

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Other known issues

Common Suspension and Driveline

Universal Joint Wear

Vibration through the driveline, clunking during gear changes or under load.

Minor Engine, 10A Twin-Rotor (982cc)

Apex Seal Wear

Gradual loss of compression, resulting in reduced power, increasingly difficult cold starts, blue-white exhaust smoke (burning oil), and eventually rough idle, misfiring, and inability to maintain running at low RPM.

Minor Engine, 10A Twin-Rotor (982cc)

Oil Metering Pump Failure

The apex seals lose their lubrication source. Wear accelerates dramatically, and the engine may seize if run for extended periods without lubrication.

Critical Engine, 10A Twin-Rotor (982cc)

Cooling System Inadequacy

The engine overheats, particularly in traffic, on hot days, or under sustained load. The temperature gauge climbs, coolant may boil over, and the engine suffers heat distortion or blown coolant seals.

Common Engine, 10A Twin-Rotor (982cc)

Exhaust Port Gasket Leaks

Exhaust gas leaks at the junction between the exhaust manifold and the engine's exhaust ports. Audible ticking sound that increases with RPM. May cause exhaust fumes in the cabin.

Common Fuel System

Carburettor Deterioration

Poor idle quality, flat spots during acceleration, hesitation off idle, fuel leaks from the carburettor body, flooding, or lean running.

View all 13 R100 (Familia Rotary) problems