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

Was new to the rotary and screwed it up

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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:15 PM
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1980_rx-7_kid's Avatar
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Was new to the rotary and screwed it up

Well like the title says, I was new to the rotary engine and i screwed mine up . I didnt know that the rotary engine went through oil as fast as it does, and so i ran it bone dry till it locked up on me.

After that I had to move to florida, and leave my baby behind. Well I may be heading up there soon to go get her and naturally first thing I want to do is tear her apart and getting her running. If I can't fix her or if it would be cheaper I would like to drop a twin turbo 13b down there if I can.

Just wondering what im goin to be up for when I get her back. When I first get her back I just want to get her running cheapest way possable. But I would like to eventually do the 13b swap.

Thanks any info would be greatly appreciated. If you need to ask some questions cause I left something out feel free to ask and I will answer them to the best of my knowledge.

Ohhh and one more thing when she was running and i got to about 95 100 mph (and im only guessing cause my speedometer only read up to 85) it started making grinding noises and kinda vibrated the whole car.

I dont know what it was but it kept me below those speeds lol
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:23 PM
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what rpm was that sound from, couldve been any number of things... rotor chatter, drivetrain, tranny bearings... fairly vague

as for burning oil, sure they burn oil but i mean not THAT fast

oh and welcome to the forum, check the faqs as well as my sig for a link to the FSM
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 11:54 PM
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Cheaper to do a TII swap.

Welcome to the club!
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 09:14 AM
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even cheaper to just get another 12a
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 09:22 AM
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Even cheaper, put some oil in your current 12A and properly diagnose the problem. Maybe you can get it unstuck and it's not a bad as you think.

Wouldn't be the first 12A to come back from the dead.
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 10:32 AM
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Well thanks for the info, I already put oil back in it when i was up in Mississippi. I was thinking about taking a breaker bar and seeing if I can spin the motor backwards then forward. But I dont know if that would mess up timing or something on a rotary. I know that it can on a normal engine.

I was also told that there is something that you can do with diesel? I dont know maybe you guys have heard of it. Only other thing I was told was that I mine as well kiss my apex seals good-bye.

The vibration was at about 6000 rpms in third and bout 6700 in 4th its been awhile since I have drove my car so I may be a little off, but not by much.

Thanks again everyone
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 10:32 AM
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My rotarys have never gone thru oil any faster than a piston engine of about the same age.
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 10:44 AM
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Mine did you could see it in when it was running it had a little bit of white smoke coming out the exhaust. I was told that this is normal so I left it be.
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 11:22 AM
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From: eau claire
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by 1980_rx-7_kid
Mine did you could see it in when it was running it had a little bit of white smoke coming out the exhaust. I was told that this is normal so I left it be.
That's only normal if it's electing a new Pope.
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by DivinDriver
That's only normal if it's electing a new Pope.
White or black smoke hehe
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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AK

hey, I don't know if you want to try to get it unstuck, but mine was stuck too and here's now I fixed it (it was only temporary, I replaced the entire engine soon after due to an unrelated problem). On the bottom of the engine, between the engine and transmission, there is a flywheel access cover that you can remove. It is held in place by two or three 10 MM bolts. Take this off and you will have clear access to the flywheel. If you get a long pry bar with an angled tip, you can get under the car and pry on the flywheel. To un-stick mine, I spent about 15 minutes prying the flywheel forwards and backwards, just enough so it would move. I think the repeated process if shifting the rotor unstuck it and it spun again. I wouldn't rely on the breaker bar and the main bolt on the front of the engine, these will break off very easily. You will want to make sure the rotor is properly oiled before you try to start it, or it will lock up again.
Good Luck!
Aaron
Anchorage, AK
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 02:28 PM
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Sounds like the rotor bearings have welded themselves to the eccentric shaft due to oil starvation. There's no un-sticking that, it's a full rebuild with different parts cause more than likely there's some serious damage in there. I check my oil level every other fill up(about once a month or so). Cheapest route would be to find another 12A that's running to drop in
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Old Jun 26, 2008 | 02:40 PM
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Thanks guy when I get my car I will try to unstick it but if it dosnt work then I will find a new motor and drop it in there.
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