I wanted to bring this up cause most people are saying things like theirs lasted to 200k...
My RX-7 has 226k miles on it, I just got it last month and haven't had any engine problems at all...

So what I want to know is:

How much life does my engine really have left? And how do i know when its about to die?

When it does die, what goes wrong? and how much does it usually cost to fix?

 

compression test

 

Do a compression check...if the numbers are still good...then keep driving it. If they're low...get it rebuilt BEFORE it dies, and save yourself some money.

 

where can i find the compression numbers for my engine? (88' non-turbo RX-7 13B)

 

Search around for doing a compression test. Basically, you can use a regular piston compression tester and hold down the button while someone cranks the engine. Look for 3 even bounces. 80-90 means its prob in need of a rebuild, and anything higher is still ok.

 

Wait for it to actually happen (the engine blowing) until it actually does happen, unless you have the pocket to replace it right away.

Maybe you got one of them reliable engines

 

go to mazda and have them run it with their compression tester

 

High mileage NA engines are more common than people think, simply because nobody posts "hey my car is doing great at 250K miles."

If the engine STILL starts up nicely during summertime and fairly good on cold winter days with 220K+ miles then congratulations, you HAVE PROVEN routine regular maintenance, routine non-standard maintenance (such as cleaning debris from raidator & oil coolers), looking for tail-tail signs of an issue and then properly diagnosing & repairing the issues, and good (fast) driving adds up to high engine life.

 

a quick blob: http://fc3spro.com/TECH/FAQ/compress.html

 

My 90 NA is over 206k now, rebuilt at about 190k.

 

i got an 86 NA with about 200K on it now

generally with any motor rotary or piston!, with 226K id say it might last a while or it might blow up tommarow..... you never know..... id keep driving it tho

 

My buddy's 88 convertible hit 300k before he decided it was time for a rebuild, he told me that it still had above 80psi on all compression faces right before the rebuild. I wish I had such luck, my convertible lost a coolant seal at 120k

 

still runs? LOL not for long

 

mine had 217 when I rebuilt it.. Not because it needed it, because I got the car for $200 and I didn't know the history.. She's @ 228 right now, and showing no signs of slowing down.. actually, if the turbo sitting in the garage is any indication, she's speeding up

 

yah im at 247 000 on the stock motor. from tranny bearing is showing some age though.

 

We just had a 1989 Nissan 240sx at our shop blow a timing chain and head gasket at 240,000. Nissan 240sx --- 240,000 ah the irony.

 

I had an 87 NA that had something like 280k on the original unrebuilt motor when I acquired it, and the interior and paint were even still in good shape

Got rid of it at about 320k when it (finally) started smoking, and only 'cause at the time I didn't have the resources to do anything about it.

 

Thanks Guys...

I will check the compresion when i get a chance, but in the mean time I am just going to have to drive it.

Hope it will last a while, 'cause I dont have enough to rebuild it.

 

My original engine lasted until 276,000 Miles. It had a very rough idle. When it was rebuild it was determined that I had a cracked corner seal. Had no compression on two sides of the rear rotor. (That is what happens when you race a motorcyle on the highway at 120+ for about 10 miles. Then the TPS went out and had no idle. That is when I learned to Heal Toe really well. Then I drove the car from Tulsa to Florida for a rebuild. Speeds between 80-110mph, averaged 21mpg.

The N/A engines that fail before 200K do so because they were cared for improperly.

 

320k thats reliable.

 

Hell yeah - the previous owner took great care of it (mostly freeway miles helped, I'm sure) and didn't hammer on it.

Definitely an "I shoulda kept it" car...

That's OK, though - to compensate, I just picked up an 86 GXL with only 110k, same type of previous owner. TPS adjustment even still has the plastic cap on it(!)

 

I own a 1988 RX7 SE with 237K original miles as I bought it new in 1988.

Engine pulls strong with no increased vibration due to good maintenance, however, engine burns 1 quart of oil every 500 miles and spark plugs show carbon deposits. Oil rings are gone as indicated by increased oil usage.

Tranny input bearing slightly noisy in first gear only.

Internal and external car in perfect condition - repainted 2 years ago.

Considering engine and tranny rebuild if keep car another 5 years.

Cannot find new 2-door coupe with hatchback and good handling for under 30K. Difficult to let car go for new inferior coupe like civic, mustang, etc.

 

You sure that engine wasn't a toyota? =P

 

^^ well **** dude, dropping a couple grand at a rotary shop is cheaper than a big fat car loan. Obviously you know how to maintain a car, so just stick with it.

 

LOL THE IRONY!!! My friend's 240 has about 224K on it. We'll see how long it will last. Maybe 240K? LOL