Prince_of_Tokyo_RA

how do you know when your rx7 needs a rebuild???

bartus

I think you're probably better of asking on this forum:

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/index.php

(Sorry I can't be more help than that!)

davegtt

When the engine stops working

Seriously though I found out yesterday for sure my rex needs a rebuild a water seal as gone so the engine is leaking water very slightly, every few days Im topping up the water (not by much) but now when I start the engine its on one rotor for the first 30 seconds whilst it burns off the coolant, then the engine is fine and I can drive without any problems. Next time I shut it off the problem will get worse and get harder and harder to drive. best of rebuilding it early rather than waiting til it dies as the parts will be reuseable

What are your symptoms?

prodriva

IIRC don't these little beasties need a rebuild every 60k? I understood that it's mainly to do with the rotor tips?

davegtt

Depends on how heavily modified it is, how hard its driven, how far its driven as opposed to short journeys etc etc....

60k is average rebuild mileage but theyve been known to do 100k

Guess whos getting his hands dirty this weekend Trying to source an engine crane ASAP.

SideShowBob

Two main reasons for the engine letting go are the seals giving up (often due to age), or the tips wearing out, and therefore falling apart (they are two part tips).

As brilliant as the engine is in its design, when you start applying the forces of the twin turbos, things start letting go, hence why the RX8's engine should last much longer, as it isnt trying to deal with the pressures turbos generate (which unfortunantely is also why its got no grunt).

Modding increases the pressures in the engine, which doesnt help, but even with a stock one, there is no way to know how many miles you may get before some part gives up.

The "rats nest" that comprises the twin turbo piping is also problematic, but usually easy and cost effective to fix, whereas an engine rebuild will set you back about £3k, regardless of the £1500 often quoted initially.

Lots of steam on start up, coolant dropping (buzzer always going off as a result), and low engine power, can all indicate issues, and you can get a pressure test done to give an indication how the tips are holding up.

davegtt

Took my engine out on Friday... took a while but got there easily enough. Going to do the rebuild myself (mainly due to lack of £3000 worth of funds to let a garage do it) and get it back on the road. its a bit scary but hey. If one human can do it then I dont see why I cant do it Should cost less than a grand for me to do it myself.

Robertio

iTrader: (1)

Best of luck Dave, we've got the engine removal thing down to about 2 hours now - wouldn't say we've had too much practice on my car, OK I would

You will be doing well to rebuild it for <£1k all of my rebuilds have cost more than that in parts alone. It's a fiddly little thing to take apart, but if everything is in good condition you should be fine - if apex seals have cracked and scored housings then that is where costs mount up quickly.

RedScoob

As Robertio has mentioned, you need to carefully inspect the housings (especially around the spark plugs) for scoring and cracks. Good news is that the housings from the TurboII will fit with the addition of a couple of core plugs which can save a few bob if it comes to it. Oh, and make sure that the rotor seal springs are reinstalled the correct way around (careful, they're sharp).
Good luck!

ScoobyJawa

I'd heard you can rebuild with the 8's rotor tips is that true?

davegtt

Guys, whats the killer is the engine is only 2 years onld anyway its a coolant seal thats given way and Ive caught it pretty early so Im hoping when I take it apart most of the engine will be in tip top shape. Hence my feelings on it being less than a grand

Robertio, 2 hours took me about 10hours...lol but we had never done it before and we did get the starter motor long bolt stuck, we had put it back in place not realising it went into the block so we couldnt seperate the block from the gearbox for ages, then when we realised the bolt was bent and wouldnt come out ended up having to saw it off so that put us back a bit of time. Getting there though

moo

RX8 apex seals do not fit into RX7 rotors.

eggy790

iTrader: (20)

bump for this.. just bought an rx7.. anyone kn ow of engine specialists for them ? and who do rebuilds? there is no history of a rebuild.. drives perfect! but just in case so i know lol i would like a contact, rather than rush around last minute.

p.s. i will also get some pics up soon