Failed engine rebuild?! Take 2!!

Started by Jim_rx7, May 29, 2009, 06:10:09 PM

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Jim_rx7

May 29, 2009, 06:10:09 PM
Put my engine back together a few months back and have been having some coolant issues.

Coolant would dissapear daily, thought that was resolved but isn\'t.

Also, when you remove the filler cap you hear pressure releasing, even after it\'s been sitting a day.

Finally alot of white smoke on startup - but it clears after 5 seconds or so. Also if I leave the car for 10mins and start up, there\'s a little piff of smoke. (coolant?)


When I originally took the engine apart there was some water in one housing etc. TBH, I was in a rush with this first time round. I basically replaced all the seals and slapped it back together.

I measured rotor, apex seals etc, side seals. Rotor housing was fine for chrome flaking etc.

The only thing I didn\'t really measure was the housing for shrinkage and also the plates. Like I said, I was in a hurry with this - lesson learnt.



I expect to open the engine up and find water sitting again in one housing.

Curious as to what it could be? Water jackets were fine etc and where the seals sit.


Could it possibly be shrinkage in a housing, or simply a warped plate?

I do have a complete set of spare plates.


Anyhoo..... engine rebuild take 2 ... let the fun commence!

Speedworks

#1
May 29, 2009, 07:26:12 PM
when I put my engine back together I had a water leak as well. Turned out there was a little leak between a housing and the center iron.

Turned out an outer water seal got pinched while putting the engine together.

i bought the Pineapple pressure tester afterwards so I could pressure test the engine before putting it back in the car. Second time it was good and haven\'t got an issue since.

the pressure test kit is a must, I\'ll tell you that much

lee mills

#2
May 29, 2009, 07:28:38 PM
Gutted for you mate. what a pain to have to do it again.

RobMatthews

#3
May 29, 2009, 07:57:19 PM
they say practice makes perfect:)

let us know how it all goes...
To contact me robmatthews81@yahoo.co.uk

parts supplied by;

DM-Motorsport.co.uk
Pulleys, Filler Caps, Sump braces, wheel spacers, blank plates and more!...............
Info@DM-Motorsport.co.uk

Grizzly

#4
May 29, 2009, 08:28:49 PM
How did you fix the Water seals into the grooves when building up? If you used blue Hylomar you have to let it go off a bit or they will/do fall out when your assembling (usually the aquard center plate)

Also did you check the Water seal grooves REALLY WELL for Cracks and damage (Pitting etc) you can get slight coolant leaks if the Groove is Pitted but more commonly it\'s due to Unseen Cracks that fail because they have been disturbed During the build.

What make Water seals did you use? I had all sorts of Problems using Aftermarket ones (RA kits) i suggest always use OE Mazda Water seals.

I bought one of these a few years ago and its well worth its money, if you know your way round a Workshop you could rig one up to pressure test your block before its fitted.http://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/product.php?productid=16858&cat=568&page=1

RobbieRX-7

#5
May 29, 2009, 08:49:50 PM
Serves you right really. Rush a job like this and the worse will happen. Hopefully you\'ll learn by your costly and time consuming mistakes and will do the job properly and not hodgett and bodge it

Jim_rx7

#6
May 29, 2009, 10:21:59 PM
Quote from: RobbieRX-7;611894Serves you right really. Rush a job like this and the worse will happen. Hopefully you\'ll learn by your costly and time consuming mistakes and will do the job properly and not hodgett and bodge it

ha ha... a bit harsh!



I used Rotary Art full seal kit.


Well after a bit of work this evening the engine is now ready to be lifted out... :)

Jim_rx7

#7
May 29, 2009, 10:24:34 PM
Quote from: Grizzly;611884How did you fix the Water seals into the grooves when building up? If you used blue Hylomar you have to let it go off a bit or they will/do fall out when your assembling (usually the aquard center plate)

Also did you check the Water seal grooves REALLY WELL for Cracks and damage (Pitting etc) you can get slight coolant leaks if the Groove is Pitted but more commonly it\'s due to Unseen Cracks that fail because they have been disturbed During the build.

What make Water seals did you use? I had all sorts of Problems using Aftermarket ones (RA kits) i suggest always use OE Mazda Water seals.

I bought one of these a few years ago and its well worth its money, if you know your way round a Workshop you could rig one up to pressure test your block before its fitted.http://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/product.php?productid=16858&cat=568&page=1


I used vaseline to hold the seals in place when assembling.

That coolant tester kit looks handy. I think I\'ll defo be investing in something like that once it\'s back together. Cheers

Jim_rx7

#8
May 29, 2009, 10:28:05 PM
Quote from: Speedworks;611874when I put my engine back together I had a water leak as well. Turned out there was a little leak between a housing and the center iron.

Turned out an outer water seal got pinched while putting the engine together.

i bought the Pineapple pressure tester afterwards so I could pressure test the engine before putting it back in the car. Second time it was good and haven\'t got an issue since.

the pressure test kit is a must, I\'ll tell you that much


How is it possible to pinch a seal, out of curiousity?

leon

#9
May 29, 2009, 10:29:13 PM
Jim depending on when you are building the block you are more than welcome to borrow my pressure tester as long as you get it back to me! i\'ve been set back now after pinching the water seals :evillaugh

I\'m also in a same boat i had water seal failure but i could not find anything obvious despite 3 months of checking every tolerance i could do.
I woof in your general direction.

Jim_rx7

#10
May 29, 2009, 10:31:27 PM
Quote from: leon;611925Jim depending on when you are building the block you are more than welcome to borrow my pressure tester as long as you get it back to me! i\'ve been set back now after pinching the water seals :evillaugh

I\'m also in a same boat i had water seal failure but i could not find anything obvious despite 3 months of checking every tolerance i could do.

Cheers mate, I\'ll defo take you up on that offer!

leon

#11
May 29, 2009, 11:01:44 PM
Hey no problem just give me a shout, I may beat you to the rebuild depends when i get the seals :wave
I woof in your general direction.

Jim_rx7

#12
May 30, 2009, 12:02:40 AM
1 1/2 hours and it\'s ready to lift out... :)

Grizzly

#13
May 31, 2009, 11:17:01 PM
Quote from: Jim_rx7;611923That coolant tester kit looks handy. I think I\'ll defo be investing in something like that once it\'s back together. Cheers

Yeh it is good as it gives you the chance to over tighten it slightly if you get a weep past the seals under pressure.

BTW apart from the obvious how do you find Vaseline holds the Water seal in? I\'ve never used Vaseline to hold the water seals in, if you turn the plate upside down do you find they fall out some times or are they well stuck? I usaly Use blue Hylomar, i can\'t remember who told me to do it that way but if you get a small paint brush you can put an even line of it round the Seal groove then place the seal and if you give it a few minutes the seal is secure enough.

Jim_rx7

#14
June 02, 2009, 10:13:01 PM
Works fine mate... as used in the DIY-RE DVDs.

I think my problem could be that I accidently over torqued the block. Then two hours later un-done it slightly. Would most probably have been fine if I had left it.

Hey ho, I\'ll find out when it\'s apart, put together and pressure tested anyway.
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