What causes a corner seal to become completely flat? My first guess is over-reving? I just tore my bridgport apart and I have several corner springs flat as
a pancake and the apex seal springs are pretty worn too.

 

Look about halfway down the page here:

http://www.mazdatrix.com/b3.htm

Earlier model corner seal springs such as the stock ones that came in 1st gens are "wire-type"

In rebuilt engines, people usually opt for the 3rd-gen style flat corner springs because they're a much better design.

If your corner seal springs look like that, it's a good thing.

Jon

 

It should still be springy and not pancaced.

If the rotor was wobbling it would be putting too much pressure on the corner seals and their springs which can flatten it.

Wobbling is causes by unbalanced rotating assembly, not enough clearance, or over revving beyond the design parameters.

 

If you are running too lean that will caaus the corner seals springs and other springs to go flat...

Over-reving will cause the housing to have a old wash board effect..
another thing that can causs the rotor springs to go flat is no or a verry poor oil cooler..this will also kill the oil control 0-rings

Dan

 

I know Dan covered it right there with his post, but the main thing that kills any spring is heat. Be it improper cooling (oil) or running to lean..the enemy of springs is heat.

Take the temper out of spring steel, and its not going to have that "spring" memory, it will flatten itself out gradually.

Squish the spring flat when its too hot, and its gonna stay flat.

 

Thanks. I have the 3rd gen style springs and a couple of them are pancaked. I also broke one carbon apex seal at the tip because of the engine leaning out too much but I think the springs were worn before I got the motor because my compresssion was low at - f-75psi, r- 65 psi before all this happened. I am going to double check my oil cooler and make sure its working good before I put the motor back together.

 

Always have an oil cooler ultrasonically cleaned and pressure tested after an engine failure. I send mine to a shop in gardena on main street. 310.327.7103 is their #