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

How many miles can the rx7 handle?

Old Mar 16, 2004 | 03:36 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: wv
How many miles can the rx7 handle?

When does the engine usually die on a Rx7 mine has 148k is mine near its death? how long can the cars keep going without having to rebuild etc
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 03:38 PM
  #2  
vipernicus42's Avatar
Rotoholic Moderookie
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
we've had a lot of threads on this. 200k is a good age before rebuilding it seems. Some have lasted longer, some have not lasted as long, but from what I've seen they seem to have a pretty long lifespan.

Jon
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 04:42 PM
  #3  
Lotus00's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
mine lost an apex seal at 150k, I thought that was about average. Maybe Im just unlucky.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 04:55 PM
  #4  
erick1120's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Rainier, Oregon
Mine made it 178,000 but I had just bought it a few month prior and I am not sure how well the engine was taken care of before I got it. Had an 83 that lost one after only 90,000. It was a single owner before I had it but I got it off a car lot so who knows how long it had sat without being ran.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 05:08 PM
  #5  
Lotus00's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
yeah, I guess I sould say that I bought the car a few months before the engine went, and it ran pretty rough before it died. I doubt it was taken care of (juding from the rest of the car)
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 05:14 PM
  #6  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,868
Likes: 574
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
148 is about middle age for a 1st-gen, assuming it hasn't been abused (overheated, run way out of tune, allowed to sit for long periods)
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 05:19 PM
  #7  
81Rex6port13b's Avatar
I Push My Car Real Fast!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 0
From: Riverside CA
in my opinion if people have good knolege of the rotary and how it works. a well cared for rotary can prolly last 400K+ miles. but most people just drive the car. do oil changes when ever its convient for them. and never check the omp to see if its even operating correctly.

but i would say the average is 100-150k
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 05:25 PM
  #8  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,868
Likes: 574
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
The highest you really hear about is about 300k. I dunno about 400k, 200k old housings start to look pretty trashed.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 06:33 PM
  #9  
Snapshot's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: GA
One of mine has about 250 ( lost speedo). Leaks oil like a sieve from housing seals but runs strong.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2004 | 06:33 PM
  #10  
Snapshot's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: GA
One of mine has about 250 ( lost speedo). Leaks oil like a sieve from housing seals but runs strong.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2004 | 06:48 PM
  #11  
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: boynton beach , florida
mine has about 200k on it
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2004 | 10:42 PM
  #12  
jimtesla's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley Ca.
My co worker has an 86.........470k and counting.......


Mazda should give out badges when we hit 100k......200k etc..........Like Volvo does.........
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2004 | 10:50 PM
  #13  
Illswyn's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Holiday
222,000 here, but have only had the car a little more than a week.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2004 | 11:22 PM
  #14  
Unsupa's Avatar
Blew my 3rd one 12/8/08
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: Inman SC
i'll be at 185000 by the end of this week, and it's still running good. i plan to rebuild it by the time i get to 200k or if it blows before then... hopefully it won't *knocks on wood*
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2004 | 11:38 PM
  #15  
Mschafe's Avatar
Where did my 7 go?
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville, MN
110,000 here.. had 85k when I bought it, and still runs strong as hell.
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2004 | 11:53 PM
  #16  
tmking66's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Jonesborough, TN
My 79 went to 283,000 before I lost an apex seal on the rear rotor. Got a new rebuild in it now. Hope I get at least half as many miles out of it.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 12:07 AM
  #17  
bliffle's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
From: SF BayArea
Yesterday I bought an 85SE with 148k (I now have 5 rotaries) and tomorrow I take it to my mechanic to check it out and change ALL the fluids. He doesn't charge too much (about $200, as I recall, and I pay cash so he can report it at his discretion). I do this to any car I buy used (last month the used 74 REPU got The Treatment and the mechanic showed me the filthy oil patches from the diff, trans, engine, clutch, etc. ).

With conservative driving, good fluids, and either MMO or 2cycle added to the gas (4 oz. per tank), these things should run a long time.

B
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 11:43 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: KY
what is this conservative driving you speak of?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 11:52 AM
  #19  
Unsupa's Avatar
Blew my 3rd one 12/8/08
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: Inman SC
*looks in the dictionary*

conservative: redlining your rotary at least once a week, and making sure all fluids are staying in the motor.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 12:53 PM
  #20  
GOOFYROTOR's Avatar
cams pistons valves
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 0
From: LA
50,000 miles here and had ~10 engines ,5 tranies,3 radiators,2 diffs,4 wheel bearings, 5 stereos, 2 brake master,4 brake calipers, 4 clutch slave, 5 clutch master,
i can go on & on & on.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 01:03 PM
  #21  
RotaryRyan's Avatar
DSM
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 1
From: Milton, FL
yo goofy, do your replace parts just for the fun of it?J/K Thats a lot though
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 01:59 PM
  #22  
hornbm's Avatar
FD > FB > FC
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 3
From: Bothell, WA
Originally posted by jimtesla
My co worker has an 86.........470k and counting.......


Mazda should give out badges when we hit 100k......200k etc..........Like Volvo does.........
Are you serious? On the origional motor?
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 02:38 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: TN
I have 186,950 on my se and I think I can make it to 200k.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:26 PM
  #24  
eddierotary's Avatar
back with rotaries
Tenured Member 20 Years
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 1
From: Watertown, NY
mine lasted about 98,000 miles but is because i whet crazy and put a turbo, weber on the stock SE engine. that wasnt smart at all but i had a hell of fun with it, ohh well i hope my new engine last at lease 50k
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2004 | 06:41 PM
  #25  
Mills's Avatar
procrastination engineer
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 1
From: up to my ass in alligators
Bottom line is if you keep oil and antifreeze in 'em these things are almost bulletproof.

I don't know much about the turbos, but it seems the newer the model, the shorter the engine lifespan.

110,000 and still running so strong I've never even bothered to figure out how to use my factory compression tester

Last edited by Mills; Apr 6, 2004 at 06:44 PM.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 PM.