1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Atkins rotary sucks! Beware

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Old Nov 19, 2012 | 10:14 AM
  #1  
KrisRX71993's Avatar
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Atkins rotary sucks! Beware

Well it's been a whle since I've posted, but found out some more bad news from my installer. In the last few years, he has ran into 5 cars with Atkins engines, all claiming to have less than 10-15k miles. All had bad engines, and like mine, with a Pettit swap the problems resolved. Jason and the other tool that I delt with were complete as*holes when trying to trouble shoot, and after hearing some more horror stories, moving to the west coast, and doing much better in my career, I'm thinking of getting ahold of any others for a class action suit.

Any others have similar stories?

So far there's 6 of us from KC MO that want a refund or some explaining! If anyone from Atkins has the ***** to message me, please do! You'll be getting a visit from me in person by feb. and I would like to see how cowardly you really are!
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 10:36 AM
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my Atkins rebuilt is eight years old now and is at +20K miles

so it should last another 20 years

I don't doubt your experience, mine has been different that's all.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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I don't know much about Atkins Rotary Kris, but I do know that's a really cheap shot.

Take it to the lounge.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 11:14 AM
  #4  
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So you had to start four threads about this? None of which are in the appropriate section by the way.

Personally, I have had nothing but good experiences with Dan / Atkins, but I haven't had an engine.

I hope this issue gets resolved quickly and in a more mature manor.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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I have an Atkins rebuild in my car, along with their short intake manifold for my DCOE. All I know is the car straight screams.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 12:58 PM
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Dan was nothing but pleasant to me when I called in my order. It's a shame what happened to you, but I don't think bashing and trying to get people involved in a class action suit with one of the few remaining rotary companies is a good idea.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:08 PM
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why is it that the moderators allow this type of crap to be posted you give new people a talking to and even delete threads that newbies have started and then allow things like this to propagate in four different places in this forum . The way that Chris rx7 is talking makes me wonder what kind of a discussion he has had with Atkins ?? More threats , more slander , .. With an attitude like this Chris It makes me wonder if you are not one of the people in the world that is never happy with any kind of work that is being done weather it's a car or the plumbing in the house . There is always the chance that people make mistakes . Buck up and act like a man instead of a spoiled little kid . There is lots of a holes in the world and now apparently there is one more . I have never done business with Atkins but after this I think I will buy some parts from them just to see for myself ..Gerald m.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:10 PM
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there's not always a moderator around when you need one, they are all volunteers with jobs to earn actual income from.

appreciate that, i had moderated a forum for 3 years with 4 times this traffic and it isn't always an easy job.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:17 PM
  #9  
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Haven't bought an engine from them, but from other purchases I've had nothing but good experiences.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:46 PM
  #10  
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I've been doing business with them for the last 8 years. I've had nothing but great results. All my rebuilds were done in my garage by myself. Have you looked into your "engine builder's" credibility before starting this thread?
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:54 PM
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i believe he means they were built by Atkins and installed by his "installer" who has seen 5, now 6 bad Atkins engines. i'm starting to think the issue isn't the Atkins engines but this "installer".
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by RotaryEvolution
there's not always a moderator around when you need one, they are all volunteers with jobs to earn actual income from.

appreciate that, i had moderated a forum for 3 years with 4 times this traffic and it isn't always an easy job.
Please don't get me wrong Karack our mods do a fine job and are extremely helpful and knowledgeable , they have helped me tons . Maybe they just want to see where this goes .

Could be true what you say about the installer ( is he a pro or just someone doing installs ) , It's one thing to install and another to make sure everything is working correctly and tuned proper . Personally If I ran a rotary shop I would not warranty anything that was not installed and tuned by my mechanics without a clause in the warranty to cover my business . JMO Gerald m.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 02:20 PM
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this thread shouldn't be in this section, just hasn't caught their attention yet. each section has different moderators so one from a different area can't step on someone's toes and clean them all up, with i guess the exception would be a supermod or admin.

warranties can be sketchy like that, some failures you just can't pinpoint unless you are the one doing the install and have the car in front of you. like what i said in the other threads, apex seals don't last 10k-15k miles and then just break, tunes cause those failures or problems with the cars. if they all had sheared stat gears i would begin to take the other side.

i did have an Atkins engine that sheared a stat gear(REW FD engine) and tried to throw the rotor out the side of the block since it lost all clocking at that point. but that customer was redlining his engine in neutral, i couldn't fault Atkins because what he was doing was rather dumb. yes, it shouldn't fail but it also never failed until he did that, i believe it was driven under full loads before many times before and never had an issue.

rotary engines in general can be quite fragile, and that isn't necessarily due to improper building techniques.

so if he comes in here and sais the engine(as well as the other 5) lost the apex seals on a boosted engine i am giving him the finger and telling him he is blaming the wrong facility.

being in this business for this long i have seen so many shotty installs and builds that you will more often than not find me defending the engine shops than the customers, who have a chip on their shoulder after failures. shops that i will not defend are the ones who have obviously gotten over on people something, and i have never seen that from Atkins.

Last edited by RotaryEvolution; Nov 19, 2012 at 02:33 PM.
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 02:43 PM
  #14  
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Typical hear say.
Just from my experience as a builder, tuner and installer
I dont use atkins apex seals but i live close to them and have bought from them over the years and have had great experiences with them.
Just so everyone knows they are one of the few companys that buy from the mazda factory and warehouse in bulk and stocks factory parts for the benifit of all of us.
Aside from that they are one of the leaders in the industry with state of the art technology in their shop which is not cheap mind you.
From my experience as a builder, tuner and installer id say that the engine that is used is only half of the equation. You have tunes and setup that take in effect. Not to mention there really is not a bad apex seal out on the market. They all do different things and have different purposes.
Before blaming a company that has been doing it RIGHT for 20+ years you might think about your installer.


OH and again to those who don't run a proper air filter or no air filter because they are too cheap or run autozone garbage or just think its cool to have no filter and see the turbo impeller but drive their cars like normal 5-20k and expect it to last. Think again as you might have a screen to stop rocks and birds or whatever but DUST will KILL.

Did ya change the oil on regularly? what kind of oil are you using? Did ya follow the proper break in steps? the list goes on on things that make a motor last
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 02:43 PM
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install of any kind of rebuilt engine tends to be a pain.

the reason for replacing an engine is that it is old and worn out.

guess what? the support systems, radiator, water pump, thermostat, oil lines, oil cooler, carburetor, fuel lines, fuel pump, and all that other stuff (motor mounts, fly wheel, starter....) will also be old and worn out.

it's a pain
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 10:16 PM
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I have blown up a couple rebuilds so far, being better educated now I can see where tuning was the key issue on both!!
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 10:37 PM
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Aaaaand time to close this one down. There is a section for this kinda stuff, and this ain't it
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