Rotary engine bit the dust
 

Well, I thought it would never happen. After nearly 12 trouble-free years and 212k miles, my rotary engine apparently lost an apex seal. I was driving on the interstate at about 70 mph when I heard a dull metallic sound from the engine followed by vibration and power loss. I managed to nurse the car about another mile or so to get home where it has been parked since. What surprised me was that it idled perfectly when I parked and took my foot off the gas.

I've invested a lot of money in the car's suspension, brakes, rear end, etc. so I don't want to part with it just yet. I'm thing of putting another engine in it. My options are: 1. rebuild the existing engine, 2. pick-up a good used engine, or 3. buy a rebuilt engine. If I rebuild my existing engine, repalcement parts will most likely cost a couple thousand bucks. Plus, doing a decent job in disassembling, cleaning and reassembling the engine parts will be fairly labor intensive. Buying a used engine is like a crap shoot since the engine's past history is typically unknown. I mean, if I buy a used engine, who knows how long it will last. The only advantage of buying a used engine is that it's probably the cheapest solution. Lastly, I could buy a rebuilt short block for about the same cost of attempting to rebuild my blown engine. Right now, I'm sort of tending towards this last option. Perhaps, an Atkins rebuilt or a Pinaapple Racing rebuilt or Mazda Remanufactured engine.

What I'm looking for are some recommendations for sources of good rebuilt engines. Anybody have any experience with Atkinks or Mazda rebuilts? Any suggestions for sources of "good" used engines? Any comments in general?

Thanks,
Larry Mizerka
1990 RX7 GXL (broken, but not forgotton)
2002 Acura RSX Type S

Sorry to hear that, man that sucks.

I would definately go with getting a separate rebuilt engine from a reputable shop like the ones you listed. It takes the least amount of downtime and the price is probably about the same as having your broken motor rebuilt. Maybe you can get a street ported one? ;) And with the 87 motor out you can get the lighter, higher compression rotors in there.

1990 RX7 GXL :confused:

Get a Mazda rebuild-$1900 (Its built by Mazda, just like the rest of the car);)

I have never seen a 89-91 na get that many miles.

You must have babied her something feirce.

With that many miles, you should definetly not try to rebuild it yourself. 212K means not to many reusable parts. And maybe costing more in the long run.

Atkins Rotary is the best!

BS, my NA is going to hit 200K soon. Its not going to die soon. I have 159K on it. Starts, runs like new

My 87 GXL is heading for 308k Dont know if its a rebuilt or not, is there anyway to tell? It still runs nice and smooth.

-Daryl

212k MILES, not KM. :)

Just get a rebuild from Rob @ Pinnapple. You'll still have to send your old engine off to whoever you buy a rebuild from to get back your core charge... (ussallly $500)

my '86 has 186k and running great. Just regular oil, filter changes. Nothing special.

32,000 miles orig. here :) but just blew an apex seal two weeks ago.... HAHHA
Shit happens....

i bought a used 120k engine in a junkyard for 270$ and then pulled it apart to find that it was a recent rebuid with almoat perfect seals all around. go to a junkyard and see what they got. they sell em cheap cuz they dont know what a rotor is....


Justin

How in the hell did you manage to blow a 91 NA with 32K miles.??? I've had two. The first one had 150K and I drove the living crap out of it. It rand like it was brand new. The engines are bullet proof.

they dont like to sit

Exactly!
But its for the best right now its getting streetported and a few other goodies :)

All three of those rebuilts will be good quality, and by the way he (it's nice to burn rice) is wrong. Mazda does not do their own rebuilds. They contract them out.
I went with Atkins because of their 2 year warranty, no body else comes close. But, I hear great things about the other two also, your choice. Shop and get the best price.
hanman

I have never heard any negative coments about Atkins. Unless they have changed their policy you order the engine from them and they add the core charge to the price. You send your old engine back in the crate your new engine arrives in. They pay the shipping for the core to be returned to them.

I think Delco Remi does the rebuild for Mazda if i remember right. Anyway the Mazda rebuild are suppose to be very high quality. S omeone tour their shop before and made a report. As for Atkins, I've heard a few bad thigns about it. If I need a motor, most likely Mazda rebuild or Pineapple racing

I checked out Pineapple Racing's website regarding rebuilt engines. Their website says "Base Rebuild with good core" above the price list. I don't know what they mean by "good" core, but I'm assuming that they want a core without any damage. Most likely my core would have a damaged rotor housing, and I would have to pay the additional $500 or whatever. Again, this is my assumption. I should probably call Rob Golden to get the full details. The Atkin's website, however, mentions nothing about the quality of the core other than it must be the same series as the purchased engine, and it must not have been taken apart prior to returning.

Not really. I just changed my oil & filter religiously every 3000 miles, and replaced air and fuel filters at regular intervals. I took very good care of the car.