Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been in the FC section, but I've got a friend in need of help.

I'm not sure I've got all the details exactly right, but here goes...he has an 88 SE (phone dial wheels) that supposedly has a blown engine at only 74k miles. He was driving around and it just went on him. Initially, he thought it was the cat, but that turned out to be okay.

He had it towed to Mazda and they said it was a blown engine, which I take with a grain of salt when it comes from the dealer, and especially since I've NEVER heard of an NA rotary blowing up. He wasn't even driving it hard at the time; I think he was at a stoplight when it went.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions on what it may be? Is there a hose to check or anything? His wife finally gave him the okay to keep the car, and he can't get on the forum on AOL for some reason...so please, help us out!

Unfortunately the forum wasn't really around when I had my FC and I didn't know more than the basics on it!

Thanks in advance!

<edit> symptoms that I know of...running like ****, or won't even run. Sorry, that's the best I can tell you!

 

74k miles is low mileage and they generally just give up after a while it is a 16 year old car...
doesnt matter how he drove it...

 

compression check?

 

dang, that was fast! thanks!

I don't know, it just seems odd. My FC had well over 150k on it and was still running like a champ. He's the second owner and it has always been well maintained. <shrug> Like I said, I've (and several other FC owners) had never heard of an NA blowing up.

So, if it is blown, anyone know of a good rebuilder around St. Louis for FCs? I've got my FD motor at BNR right now, which I'd recommend to him. Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

the dealer says the compression is shot. I guess I'm just paranoid about dealers since the one by me doesn't know JACK about my car

 

I know of two Mazda dealers who couldn't properly do a rotary compression check if their livelihoods depended on it (which it doesn't, unfortunately). One is Lou Fusz, the other one's up in Iowa where I got my car.

On the other hand, depending on *how* low the compression really is, the ATF trick might fix your pal's car.

 

Never heard of a N/A rotary blowing up? I just lost my rear rotor on my 87 doing 25mph in 3rd! That low milegae is probably worse than a higher mileage one, the car probably was only driven to the store in back by the grandma that owned it, that was the case with mine. Lots of carbon build up I'm sure. I tried the ATF and it didn't help, maybe you might have better luck though.

 

Well mine blew at 32,000 miles. While I was driving at about 25 mph lolo. So lower doesnt always mean better. Only better chassis.