Rotary Newb - Help Required

[fraser87uk]

I there guys and gals.  I am going to view and buy my first rex fd3 tomorrow night. The man says it needs an Apex seal replaced hence the price but the car stil runs fine and starts first time. Also needs 2 door handles but thats beside the point. What should i be looking out for when buying this car? The mileage is 56,000 miles and he has receipts for the turbos being rebuilt.
 
Also where is a good place to get a rebuild kit from? And how much should they cost?
 
Is the Paul Morgan DIY rebuild dvd any good and does anyone have all four available?
 
Thanks in advance guys. :WaveBye

[D2BBA]

You need to take into account a potential re-build price from £2500-3500 for a specialist, even if you do it yourself the parts bill could come to £1500 (or so i\'m told).

Make sure its cheap enough to take this into account fella, oh and good luck!

Chris

[Timmy]

I would say thats definate rebuild starts first time when it\'s cold because the compression is higher. I would say it will almost certainly need a new rotor houseing possibly end plate ect. I know that will cost closer to £3500 to rebuild done by a pro. Also theres good chance those turbo\'s are gonna need to be rebuilt again so don\'t let him use that as a reason for putting the price up. I wouldn\'t pay more than £1000 unless it has lots of aftermarket parts that were worth money.

[sadgoth]

Rebuild kits makes it sound like it is a pack of bits which you just put in. The cost depends on what needs replacing but as an idea this is a list of the basic rebuild parts:
Engine Gasket Set
Water Seal Kit
Stationary Gear Bearing
Apex Seals
Apex Seal Springs
Corner Seals
Corner Seal Springs
Side Seals
Side Seal Springs
Oil Control Rings
Oil Control Inner Rubbers
Oil Control Outer Rubbers
Front Main Seal
Rear Main Seal
Mazda Sump Sealant
roughly that little lot would set you back about:£1100
+ you WILL need to replace the housings if you do it properly so: that\'s about £500-£600 for the pair

depending on the condidtion you find the plates and rotors you may have to consider replacing them too (less likely unless the car has suffered any detonation)

All in if you do it yourself you are looking at a minimum of £1700 but possibly up to £2700 if you replace everything.

It depends on what you get the car for as to whether it is worth the money and pain tbh

[nikp]

Mine suffered det and i had to replace:

1 Rotor housing (£300 ish brand new)
2 Rotors (£150 each second hand)
1 set of apex seals (Lots, can\'t remember)
1 set of side seals (A lot less than apex seals!)

Assocaited other bits and pieces.

Even without labour mine came to about £1k!!

[fraser87uk]

Thanks for all the replys guys. Its much appreciated.
 
The guy wants £1800 to £2000 for the car. It has a decent spec list, the best being an Apexi Power FC.
 
You deffo think i wil have to replace the rotor housing?
 
Is it viable to think i will be able to do it myself? I am fairly competant at working on vehicles but never done anything this in depth before. Thanks guys.

[Martiny]

What syptoms does he describe as to the conclusion that it actually needs a rebuild?

[Jit]

You also need to bear in mind that the turbos could also be knackered as the apex seal may have gone straight thru them (so the receipt for turbos being rebuilt  can go straight out of the window!)

[FEED Rocket]

Is this car in Glasgow? I was looking to buy this car to rebuild and sell for my new company but the bank are being difficult at the moment. Nice car with lots of nice bits on it. If the car has thrown a tip its very likely that it will need new housings as they will be scored (maybe). Im not the mechanic so i cant tell you much more im afraid.
 
Apparently the car starts and runs fine so im not sure how he\'s diagnosed it as throwing a tip, but i wont be able to tell til we can get up there. Good luck with the motor though!

[fraser87uk]

Yeah it is the one in Glasgow. (Please dont steal it first). Im going to view it tonight. My first Rex. Always had my eye on one and i cant wait. Woo hoo.