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

How much longer do i have

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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:41 AM
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From: belpre, ohio
Question How much longer do i have

I have a 85 gs it has 144,000 mile on it how much longer will the engine last before i have to rebuild it thank you all
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:44 AM
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That probably depends on how much you drive it, how you drive it, and if you maintain it properly. I give it two weeks!
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:46 AM
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depends on the maintenance. 12a are known to last 200k pretty easily if taken care of. some have lasted to 300k. i'd just keep it in the back of your mind that it could go so you're prepared. are you smoking or leaking anywhere on the block yet?
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:47 AM
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Originally posted by nosajwrx-7
That probably depends on how much you drive it, how you drive it, and if you maintain it properly. I give it two weeks!
lol. "you will die in three days"
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:48 AM
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There is not set milage on blowing seals,I seen seals go at 70k...and I seen seals go at almost 200k

Its how you take car of your engine..

keep oil in it,dont run it lean,dont overheat it
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:50 AM
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You will die a horrible horrible death... Oh wait.. That was for our last caller...

Dunno guy. How has it been maintained? How well was it broken in when it was new? Are you gonna blow a radiator hose tomorrow and overheat it? Do you drive like a maniac and shift after the redline buzzer has been sounding for the past three minutes? Have you even heard the redline buzzer? Or do you keep it below 2 grand and let the carbon build up inside the engine?

Hard to say... If it's running well now, you should be cool way up past 200K miles... If it's burning more than half a quart per 1000 Miles.. you might wanna save up for a rebuild.
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 09:59 AM
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I also have the same question. 174.5k miles on the original engine, and trans (but I have a 60k mile spare trans just in case). Are there ANY warning signs before they go? I would hate to be on a trip and have it POP! And it is much cheaper to rebuild BEFORE they blow, that way nothing unexpected gets damaged when the seals go, right?
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:01 AM
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It smokes very little when it starts up but never smokes after that it runs a little rich on fuel i've had the car for 6 months and its never heard the 7000 buzzer i drive it about 30 miles a day thanks guys
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:03 AM
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Originally posted by BRealistic
I also have the same question. 174.5k miles on the original engine, and trans (but I have a 60k mile spare trans just in case). Are there ANY warning signs before they go? I would hate to be on a trip and have it POP! And it is much cheaper to rebuild BEFORE they blow, that way nothing unexpected gets damaged when the seals go, right?
What are you talking about your tranny or engine?

Trany will grind during shifts (bad syncros)

Yes since the mileage is high on the engine ..think of rebuilding and porting it while your at it..
Yes it will cost more if the apex broke..then most likely you will be buying a rotor and housing
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:07 AM
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From: belpre, ohio
the engine sorry
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:18 AM
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Originally posted by SoRRoW
What are you talking about your tranny or engine?

Trany will grind during shifts (bad syncros)

Yes since the mileage is high on the engine ..think of rebuilding and porting it while your at it..
Yes it will cost more if the apex broke..then most likely you will be buying a rotor and housing
Sorry, a little bit of a tangient there. Yes, the engine. My engine doesn't smoke at all (maybe a tiny puff at start up, but it is hard to tell), and has been excellently maintained for its entire life- including having the radiator cleaned out periodically. I have all records for last ten years, and it runs great. If it could last beyond 200k miles and considering this is a fun weekend car, it be several years before I even get to 200k miles. Why rebuild if you don't need to? If some only last 60k miles, should we all rebuild at 59k per your logic?
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:22 AM
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Originally posted by drock
It smokes very little when it starts up but never smokes after that it runs a little rich on fuel i've had the car for 6 months and its never heard the 7000 buzzer i drive it about 30 miles a day thanks guys
keep on the oil changes and inspect the cooling system and oil system for any possible failure points and theoretically you should see 200k+
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:23 AM
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Originally posted by drock
the engine sorry
I was refering to BRealistic's post

sorry


Originally posted by BRealistic
Sorry, a little bit of a tangient there. Yes, the engine. My engine doesn't smoke at all (maybe a tiny puff at start up, but it is hard to tell), and has been excellently maintained for its entire life- including having the radiator cleaned out periodically. I have all records for last ten years, and it runs great. If it could last beyond 200k miles and considering this is a fun weekend car, it be several years before I even get to 200k miles. Why rebuild if you don't need to? If some only last 60k miles, should we all rebuild at 59k per your logic?

There is NO milage of an rotary engine taking a **** on you.A low mileage engine,that has been sitting...the seals can get hard and brittle.

Once the coolant seals go bad,you need to rebuild it..The car will overheat and blow cooalant out the exhast..like a blown head gasket..

When the apexseals go you have a 99.% of damaging the rotor housing and rotor.

I just yanked my engine out,I had 112k on it.I want to rebuild/and port cause I needed more HP.

If thats your only car..then yoru options are diffrent,cause of down time,BUT you did say you had a spare engine..so thats good..If you want to try and get the most out that you can ..you can freshen up the engine...

Change
oil pan gasket.

*if water cooled cooler..change the o rings *if leaking

check vacumes,carb adjusment,plugs,thermostat,make sure oil metering pump is not leaking,if so rebuild it..make sure its pumping oil into yoru engine for your seals,You can also premix..

Last edited by SoRRoW; Mar 21, 2003 at 10:30 AM.
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:47 AM
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This car has been consistently driven for its entire life, no long periods of just sitting. I will check the records, but many (all?) of the things you mentioned were changed recently (last few years). And how hot is too hot? I have heard of people having engines that only went 3/4 way up the temp gauge, and the engine was damaged?
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 10:59 AM
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From: Cell Block 4 (LOCKDOWN)
I doubt if someone refreshened the engine..

I cant say on how hot,cause I have ran my **** to the max liek 2 times before,cause I forgot to plug up the E fan when I was workin on the car..
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Old Mar 21, 2003 | 11:02 AM
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No, I meant all the minor upkeep stuff- like the oil metering pump, vacuum lines, carb, and coolant system. Dude even replaced all the suspension bushings . And I have an extra low mileage trans, not engine. I might start looking for a cheap 12a that needs a rebuild just in case- might be a fun learning experiment. (even though just a basic kit is still $$)
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Old Mar 24, 2003 | 12:22 PM
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Mine is near 170K, and it runs like a top (kinda). I am working on getting the timing and mixture right since it is kinda new to me. But no smoke, and no leakage here.

take care of it, and keep an eye on it.
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