Mazda Rotary Club

General => General Technical => Topic started by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 12:00:00 PM

Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 12:00:00 PM
(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/weebockle/DSC00045.jpg)

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/weebockle/DSC00047.jpg)

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/weebockle/DSC00052-2.jpg)

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/weebockle/DSC00053-2.jpg)


Well the apex seals aren\'t broken anyway. It\'s thought that the engine died from possible water seal failure. The engine itself was built 3K miles ago.

From a quick look, there\'s no scoring on housings etc, etc.. obviously everything needs cleaned and measured up.


Does this look like the cause of water?

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/weebockle/DSC00051-1.jpg)

It\'s just surface rust... rubbed off easily enough. There also seemed to be a little (not much at all) water sitting in the front housing (not the one where the flywheel is - if that\'s classed as front?).


Another question... I\'ve read about putting side seals etc into a box so you know where they came out of etc, etc. Half of mine just fell out of place when I took the engine apart.

Can I re-use these not knowing where they came from etc - if they are within tolerances? Do they need to go exactly where they came from?

thanks!
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: RedRummy on November 28, 2008, 12:52:50 PM
best to replace all bits like seals etc i\'d have thought.  You can get kits with all the bits - orings, gaskets, seals, tips etc
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: RedRummy on November 28, 2008, 12:53:25 PM
PS - looking at your pictures - I take it you live alone LOL
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 12:56:39 PM
I know... but it was only built 3K miles ago. No point in spending if it\'s not essential.

I did find a little 2cm long part of broken cast material that fell out when I took it apart. I don\'t know where it came from. I\'ll have a good once it\'s cleaned etc. It could be the cause of my problem. Possibly need a new housing - time will tell once I find where it\'s broken from.

I\'m ordering a complete seal kit from RotaryArt - but for things like apex seals etc, why replace if they are all good?

I\'m doing this on a budget here! :)
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 12:57:20 PM
Quote from: RedRummy;560641PS - looking at your pictures - I take it you live alone LOL

No mate... I have a wife and a child. lol.

It\'s now called the Engine room. :)
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Brett on November 28, 2008, 01:15:49 PM
I\'d recommend decarbonising the rotors, and giving the housings & plates a thourough cleaning.

You will then need to inspect the waterways and seal faces to look for the corrosion.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 01:20:50 PM
Yeah mate.. that\'s the plan anyway. Might start the cleaning tonight.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 01:23:01 PM
Quote from: Jim_rx7;560631

Another question... I\'ve read about putting side seals etc into a box so you know where they came out of etc, etc. Half of mine just fell out of place when I took the engine apart.

Can I re-use these not knowing where they came from etc - if they are within tolerances? Do they need to go exactly where they came from?

thanks![/QUOTE
Anyone any ideas on the above?
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: BlitzBoy on November 28, 2008, 01:35:14 PM
yep get it all cleaned up, sounds like the front Plate not housing maybe fubared letting water in, take more close in pics of the plates once clean
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: FD3UK on November 28, 2008, 01:57:29 PM
As Mark said sounds like a failed side plate. Something like this one I expect...


(http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7353&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1212521110)
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 02:29:57 PM
I will do.

I\'ll get it all cleaned up tonight hopefully and take some pics.

The bit that I found looks exactly like it would come from that sort of area.

Cheers chaps....

What\'s the thoughts on the side seal question?
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: LeedsLad on November 28, 2008, 02:51:42 PM
I\'m by no means an expert but as far as I\'m aware the seals are set up in particular groove and filed to fit, just something i saw on a pineapple racing video but if in doubt ring an engine builder. i\'d go through the trouble of fitting new ones since it\'s all ready in bits on your floor. :evillaugh
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 02:57:09 PM
Yeah.. the seals from new come oversized and need ground down to fit. There is a tolerance for the gap between the side seals and the corner seal. I\'ll check that and also anything else that\'s in the FSM. I would assume there\'s also a tolerance for the thickness of them.

I\'m just trying to keep costs down tbh. But if anything does need replaced I will. I\'m just not going to do it just for the sake of doing it.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Kieron on November 28, 2008, 03:36:31 PM
I got some greart advice... dont let the wife see :driving
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 04:05:06 PM
Yeah... she\'s not actually properly seen inside the room.

PS : don\'t tell her I scratched the floor a little bit!!!!
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: royal on November 28, 2008, 05:47:24 PM
Side seals and springs you can reuse providing they are within tolerance. The thing about them being in the right place is because each corner will be slightly different so you need to make sure you can make them all fit to tolerance still.
 Same for corner seals and springs. You can reuse the 8 metal circle oil seal cover bits but obviously replace the seals inside them. I\'ve never heard of people reusing apex seals so would deffo replace them. The springs you can reuse but often you get them with the apex seals anyhow so no point.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 05:49:20 PM
Why not re-use the apex seals if they are low mileage (3K) and in good condition?

If I need to buy new ones, I will though.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: royal on November 28, 2008, 05:57:08 PM
I\'m not sure if its a done thing tbh mate so don\'t want to say either way. Best to ask one of the more experienced guys.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: ro284 on November 28, 2008, 06:29:02 PM
QuoteYeah.. the seals from new come oversized and need ground down to fit.
Thats a new one on me Jim, !
More advice needed on that,
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: mph_saab on November 28, 2008, 06:35:02 PM
i\'d love to have the time and patients to do that lol...good luck with the rebuild and hope all goes well :D
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: royal on November 28, 2008, 07:23:43 PM
Quote from: ro284;560766Thats a new one on me Jim, !
More advice needed on that,

Side seals need grounding to tolerance.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: Jim_rx7 on November 28, 2008, 07:24:49 PM
Everything can be re-used if within certain tolerances etc.

Just had a good look through the FSM.
Title: Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required
Post by: rx jamie on November 29, 2008, 08:33:15 AM
Quote from: RedRummy;560641PS - looking at your pictures - I take it you live alone LOL

seconded, my missus loves cars but....holy **** she wouldnt have that :Giggle :spank