Well the engine\'s apart! (pics) - some advice required

[Jim_rx7]

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?



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!

[RedRummy]

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

[RedRummy]

PS - looking at your pictures - I take it you live alone LOL

[Jim_rx7]

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!

[Jim_rx7]

PS - 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.

[Brett]

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.

[Jim_rx7]

Yeah mate.. that\'s the plan anyway. Might start the cleaning tonight.

[Jim_rx7]

Anyone any ideas on the above?

[BlitzBoy]

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

[FD3UK]

As Mark said sounds like a failed side plate. Something like this one I expect...

[Jim_rx7]

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?

[LeedsLad]

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

[Jim_rx7]

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.

[Kieron]

I got some greart advice... dont let the wife see :driving

[Jim_rx7]

Yeah... she\'s not actually properly seen inside the room.

PS : don\'t tell her I scratched the floor a little bit!!!!