Could it be a stuck seal?

ramirez · May 21, 2009, 04:53:59 PM

Hi guys, was doing some investigation on my FD earlier, which I know has low compression - indicators say that it has a blown apex seal on front rotor as the readings were 9.5, 0, 0. The rear though has good readings o high 7\'s on all tips.

I just wondered if there was a chance it could actually be a "stuck" seal (which I presume is where the seal isn\'t springing up) - is there anyway of lubing it up without pulling the engine? Ie. soaking the engine in oil or something just to see?

Someone suggested using seafoam through the engine - are they talking rubbish? I am prepared to pull the engine and strip it, but I wouldn\'t mind looking at other avenues first just in case.

grinder · May 21, 2009, 05:10:36 PM

you can always try the ATF tick - its not gonna make it worse ( i dont think ! )

or a can of coke

have a quick search on rx7club.com for ATF and all will be revealed

grinder · May 21, 2009, 05:16:07 PM

the only other thing i just read was to remove the turbo and look at the seal thru the exhaust/turbo ports and you will beable to see if one is stuck

this is prob easier than trying to do it thru the spark plug holes !!

rx jamie · May 21, 2009, 05:24:21 PM

doesnt an engine have to be pretty badly damaged to give 0 compression though?

grinder · May 21, 2009, 05:26:15 PM

blimey - they love arguing about it over the pond : http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=814672&highlight=atf

ramirez · May 21, 2009, 05:28:33 PM

Quote from: rx jamie;609655doesnt an engine have to be pretty badly damaged to give 0 compression though?

Dunno, I mean i\'m just trying to think of other things it could be - It probably is a chipped seal but i guess if a seal is stuck down it wouldn\'t give a reading at all?

ramirez · May 21, 2009, 05:31:33 PM

Quote from: grinder;609656blimey - they love arguing about it over the pond : http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=814672&highlight=atf

Hah! love it

Nothing to lose my looking into this I guess!

grinder · May 21, 2009, 05:32:08 PM

it wouldnt as you can build compression from it ( if it doesnt touch the housing ) - or so im lead to believe !

grinder · May 21, 2009, 05:33:01 PM

at the end of the day - whats the worse that could happen

i tried it on a old S4 engine - and i must admit - it did work to a certain extent - but i think the engine was shot anyways

on the good housing i was only getting about 4-5 bar - which is rebuild time anways

i like the idea of cleaning the seals with carb cleaner though if you can get to them - sounds like a challenge

ramirez · May 21, 2009, 05:33:13 PM

Quote from: grinder;609665it wouldnt as you can build compression from it ( if it doesnt touch the housing ) - or so im lead to believe !

I\'ll have a play in the next couple of days

Thanks boys!

ramirez · May 21, 2009, 05:33:49 PM

Quote from: grinder;609666at the end of the day - whats the worse that could happen

i tried it on a old S4 engine - and i must admit - it did work to a certain extent - but i think the engine was shot anyways

Well yeah \'zactly, I\'ve got all the bits I need to pull the engine so I will do that at some point

Freddy · May 21, 2009, 05:43:11 PM

Try and get hold of seafoam, it does wonders! Theres probably a lot about it on rx7club.com