Mazda Rotary Club

I\'ve only been a FD owner for a relatively short period (about two months I think) and every time someone asks me what car I have, they then proceed to tell me that it is inevitable that I will have to rebuild my engine.

I thought I\'d ask the question to you veterens of FD ownership as to why some of you rebuild your engines.  Was it because you had to or was it because you thought you might need to do it at some time so why not now?

Think it\'s normally a case of "have to", either compression has got so low it\'s hard to start warm, or a water seal has gone and so the whole engine may as well be rebuilt as it\'d have to come out anyway.

Not many seem to die in a big way! Unless tuned and pushed hard (but then plenty of engines do that anyway, rotary or not).

But I\'m sure there\'s plenty of people who have had no problems at all and not needed to rebuild either.

Quote from: RemarkLimaBut I\'m sure there\'s plenty of people who have had no problems at all and not needed to rebuild either.

It would be good to know who hasn\'t had a rebuild and how long the\'ve had their cars.  Should have put that option in the poll!!!

Mine threw a tip originally, however sinec then I\'ve had it sripped down for additional re-porting

Mine was water seal. Didn\'t overheat, but still needed to be rebuilt.

Mine went with a spectacular flame and a big cloud of smoke because one of the secondary injectors failed under high duty.  

Moral of the story - don\'t go for 1300 secondary injectors (bored out 1000\'s I think?).

They\'re bored out 850\'s. I have the 1200\'s, but they\'re safe as they\'re not bored out as much.

I voted had to because of waterseal failure. Definitley the most common problem with these engines

Quote from: nikpThey\'re bored out 850\'s. I have the 1200\'s, but they\'re safe as they\'re not bored out as much.

That sounds about right.  I was told that there was a problem with the 1300\'s maxing out and stopping.  As a result I went with 1600\'s to be on the safe side.

Wish I could afford the 1600\'s. But i can\'t, so will be going with 850 primaries instead.

Original engine - waterseal failure.
Second engine - chipped a tip at 165mph on a runway.

sorry but the joy of playing with Turbo II is that parts are cheap.  I ticked cos i was bored.

I paid £150 for a complete engine, £300 on all new mazda seals springs and gasgets etc.  It sat on the engine stand for so long waiting for the other engine to die i even painted it........ how sad.   In the end i thought sod it, i want to get the new one in so swapped it over after the North Weald Activity day in april so it was run in time for the ring.  

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i225/Antnicuk/DSCF3966.jpg)

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i225/Antnicuk/carosel.jpg)

Quote from: antnicuksorry but the joy of playing with Turbo II is that parts are cheap.  I ticked cos i was bored.

I paid £150 for a complete engine, £300 on all new mazda seals springs and gasgets etc.  It sat on the engine stand for so long waiting for the other engine to die i even painted it........ how sad.   In the end i thought sod it, i want to get the new one in so swapped it over after the North Weald Activity day in april so it was run in time for the ring.  

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i225/Antnicuk/DSCF3966.jpg)

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i225/Antnicuk/carosel.jpg)

love the fd...... but my thoughts exactly.

mucho respecto

:D

Quote from: antnicukIt sat on the engine stand for so long waiting for the other engine to die i even painted it........ how sad.

That looks excellent! Are you bored at the moment?

originally water seal.
then the last 3 tips are because it chipped a tip.

oh yea this is all within 12 months, uuggghhhh

yep,   just did a trackday on saturday and there really is nothing more i can do with the handling/brakes and power of the car.  As a few people can vouch,  she was the quickest thing on the track.

SD Minus old white FD was there but he couldnt keep up on the straights and couldnt drive round the bends.

just been looking on ebay for a \'project\'   :(

Only 22 rebuilds!!!  Whats all the fuss about?

Come one guys, giz a vote so I can see what the main reasons are for rebuilds.

not had to rebuild mine i have not had it long enough:Tongue1

Quote from: Jimjitsunot had to rebuild mine i have not had it long enough:Tongue1

 
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH lol

Quote from: TracNGazSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH lol

The small print:
The thread starter is in no way liable for any future possible [some people may like to say inevitable] engine failure of any one who\'s engine has not yet needed to be rebuild for any of the reasons in the poll or any other reasons that may arise should they decide to inform others via this thread or otherwise.

Have a nice day!

:D

thing is I\'ve actually had to rebuild two FBs as well! (that\'s the joy of ebay spacials)

I\'ve added a couple of options to the poll :)

I lost my first EGi through general wear - the lump had done near 160,000miles so I wasnt too upset :Giggle - When I crashed that car I brought another and swapped the engine for the rebuilt one. :Thumbs-up

Quote from: BrettI\'ve added a couple of options to the poll :)

I saw......cambelt!?!? erm......

I couldnt vote coz there is no warped seals option, two rebuilds because of warped tips due to the rubbish OMP

Quote from: BrettI\'ve added a couple of options to the poll :)

I lost my first EGi through general wear - the lump had done near 160,000miles so I wasnt too upset :Giggle - When I crashed that car I brought another and swapped the engine for the rebuilt one. :Thumbs-up

I didn\'t know you could do that!!

160,000 miles!!!  WOW! That lump shopuld be in a mazda museum!

Quote from: BrettI\'ve added a couple of options to the poll :)

I didn\'t know you could do that!!

Quote from: BrettI lost my first EGi through general wear - the lump had done near 160,000miles so I wasnt too upset :Giggle - When I crashed that car I brought another and swapped the engine for the rebuilt one. :Thumbs-up

160,000 miles!!!  WOW! That lump shopuld be in a mazda museum!

I have special mod like powers :evillaugh - We can edit polls / end of powers. :rollin

 EGi 13B\'s and 12A\'s etc are relatively stressed, providing they are looked after and used well they don\'t tend to give any trouble.  The housings were worn down to the aluminium along the edge where the corner peice of the apex seals run - the apex seals were well worn too.  Strangly the side seals were ok an we actually reused those, albeit with new springs. The Irons were ground back a few thou, the rotors were decarbonised and everything went back together without a hitch. :yes  N/A is the path to truth :Thumbs-up

Maybe u should have a mileage vote as well,   seeing how one engine did 160,000 miles,  u cant judge that against a engine thats only done 60,000 and went pop :)

Mick

I\'ve heard that every 60k miles it\'s about time for a rebuild... Does that sound a reasonable average?

Quote from: MacerI\'ve heard that every 60k miles it\'s about time for a rebuild... Does that sound a reasonable average?

All depends on how much power you are pushing out from your engine... for stock power I reckon this figure sounds about right.... obviously once you start modding you are putting more stress on the engine, hence the life expectancy will reduce as with any modded engine...

a rotary engine can easily do that sort of kileage with correct servicing

it is N/a so doesn\'t have the same amount of pressure put on the engine as our turbo ones
a turbo will do 60k easily again fi looked after and stock


I had a bearing go :3Confused
but it is always a good excuse for a nice big street port /bridge :god

Mines done 80 odd K and is only just starting to show the signs of needing a rebuild, starting on 1 rotor if it hasn\'t been allowed to cool down for over 5 minutes... Hrrrumph

got mine in 2004, do all my own work on it apart from mapping, not had no probs apart from boost, so i cant vote

Quote from: adibgot mine in 2004, do all my own work on it apart from mapping, not had no probs apart from boost, so i cant vote

That looks nice adib!  
Should have put a catagory up.... Not needed a rebuild [yet].

thanks evo ray, wish it would blow and then i can get it ported while engine is out

So far, most rebuils have been because it threw a tip. Are there any safety measures that can be implemented that could help avoid this? Is this something to do with the bearings?

Avoid det; highest ron fuel, modest boost and a good map is the safest way :Thumbs-up

and WI :), plus since ive been running premix the car has been rock solid no chance of warping the tips on high boost due to lack of lube

Quote from: BlitzBoyand WI :), plus since ive been running premix the car has been rock solid no chance of warping the tips on high boost due to lack of lube

Just a thought, wouldnt premix clog the injectors over time? or am I talking Bollox?

no not at the ratio that gets mixed

Premix and W/I are the key to engine longevity if everything else is ok.   I think it is safe to say it has been well and trully proved on here!

ah OK
think Ill run a bit of premix when I finally find one bit of the old belt and braces
 
Castrol R perhaps lol

Ive not had to do one on mine but thats because it had one just before I purchased it. This was due of lack of knowledge on someones part, the story goes they stuck thier foot down while it cold..

Shame I can\'t vote twice. I brought my baby post rebuild from a throwing a tip 9000km ago, she overheated a few weeks ago (yes I admit partly due to the twit behind the wheel) and now I\'ve got it booked in becuase the seal is on its way out.

my cambelt broke and my valves hit my rotors :p

i just wanted more power and it needed porting anyway for that so i was kind of forced into it lol

I threw a tip while in the Isle of Mann on an MRC day. Car has been sitting dorment for 2 years and it\'s now being rebuilt at the moment with an extend port and a GT35/40.:)

Mine has been rebuilt when I bought it but made a lot of modifications since then.

But the thought of a rebuild is never far from my mind.

Be interested for people to put how much they spent on the rebuild also.

I have the receipt for £5800 for my stock rebuild but with all cooling ancillaries/radiator/turbo pack/solenoid pack/all hoses and connections all replaced or refurbished at the time at that price with a 12month warranty. Fortunately i bought the car while this build was being run in.
 
2 years of smiles and counting.

My tips failed at 8000rpm on both rotars,not sure of reason yet but im sure stock injectors and fuel pump with a to4 has somthing to do with it

So far so good with this engine, but i did have to get the engine in my first 7 rebuilt due to low compression (I think). An i think its been redone again since i sold it on.
Might look into WI if it helps the life of the engine (?)

Adam

My engine was in my last car when I bought it, it had been rebuilt a few months earlier. Threw at least one tip, mullering the primary turbo in the process. Came with a receipt for a nearly 6 grand rebuild :eek: Seemed a bargain since I only paid 4 1/2 for the entire car!

The engine came across to my new car when I smashed up the old one, and is still running flawlessly, despite my best efforts to murder it :D Still, so it damn well should for that kinda money...

im on my 4th engine in 3 years :( a combo of bad luck i think and a garage using used parts instead of new ones. the rest have been due to thrown tips. first engine was pretty sweet. 38,000 in 9 months cant complain. a MASSIVE learning curve to say the least.all good fun though :) hopefully this new one will last me a little while

Bought mine with a tired engine.....not complaining as learning lots and lots!!

Sorry but im not sure about using water injection?

What happens when you put water on a fire?:confused:

Surely you acn get round det with a good/safe map?

Premix i can understand for sure and that makes sense as the stock OMP above certain power levels is not upto the job.

Matt

Havin my motor rebuilt this week due to water seal going :2Mad

Mine had a water seal failure.  Needed to rebuild, so started redoing the whole car.  Paint is finished, now car is being reassembled, then new motor goes in.

I wanted to rebuild mine just for a re-fresh just due to the age and mileage of the car.  No apparent seal failure and engine was still strong at 62,000 UK Miles :)

i cant find the right option ?   were is the one for "needs a V8"

:p

Quote from: tinker-27;606947i cant find the right option ?   were is the one for "needs a V8"

Shouldn\'t that be "How do I ruin my RX7"?  :p

Am having to... thrown at least one tip and I don\'t know what else has happened to the engine :)

Waterseals, hence the display ava :evillaugh

Engine was running fine but just wanted a Peripheral port :D

Quote from: steve garbutt;610045Engine was running fine but just wanted a Peripheral port :D

Booo to you mister! *wags finger* :wave

Quote from: leon;610049Booo to you mister! *wags finger* :wave

You will be glad to know i recycled :D
My good running engine went in another car and we rebuilt a PP out of parts :D

Well that makes me feel all the more better, can i haz pp too? *puppyeyes* would love to build somthing like that in a few years time when i get a few 13b\'s laying around

Bought a new engine as my old one was a total loss. Then a casting cracked on the new one and needed rebuilding again anyway.