Water in oil, salvagable?
 

I bought this 87 n/a a week ago and the engine has water in the oil. I was just going to buy a rebuilt engine and stick it in there but if I can rebuild this block myself then I want to. So does the fact that there's water in the oil, and the cars been sitting like this for about 3 years, mean its not rebuildable? Will I find a bunch of rusty parts when I pull it apart?

Well, there's one way to find out! :)

I'd imagine that the oil in the engine would tend to stick to the metal surfaces, protecting them somewhat from the water. My guess is it would be more or less OK, but it wouldn't hurt to pull it apart!

The only consideration you might take into account is that Mazda won't take the disassembled motor as a core if you're thinking about getting a reman, but you could probably even re-assemble it if you wanted to...

See thats the thing. I don't want to take it apart to find out if I can rebuild it because Atkins won't accept it for a core if its been taken apart. BTW I wouldn't even consider buying from Mazda, too much $$$$$$. I'd like some more opinions on this, where are you gurus?

water in oil is very bad
does it run alright?
did you change the oil in it yet?
how does the coolant look?
more info would be helpful

The car hasn't run since I've owned it. It cranked over fine, even fired a couple times, but wouldn't start.
Coolant has rust and white crap in it.

^

Why don't you search for Christ' sake, the engine's fucked just take it to the junkyard.

bahahaha guess thats what I get for bein a dick :D All good

My vote: Blown water seal. Which means....time for a new engine.

Would it take some serious beating on the engine in order to blow the water seal?

Yes...no.....mabye. It can go at 50, or 250,000 miles. It a just depends on mileage, age, condition, treatment, and just what mood the Rotary Gods are in this week. If the water seal is shot, the rotor housing(s) is (are) filled with water, which explains why it ran for a second, then completly died.

Can you think of anything besides the block that would also need replacing due to the water damage?

IF it was water damaged, as it sounds like, and if it did sit for 3 years, the rotors are trash. UNless you have a serious cleaning agent. Because all those little seals are in teh rotor, are now locked in place due to the rust. I have a bunch of excellent codition rotors that are rusted up and unuiseable because I cannot get the seals out. Side seals are the worst. Take it apart and find out.

I think I will take it apart. I want to buy an engine from you Kevin. Only problem is I haven't got the funds yet. Nonetheless, I am 100% sure that I'll be buying it from you within the next 2 months so if you want to go ahead and build it with the street port then it'll be ready for whenever I need it.....hmm maybe I should PM hehe.

IF you want to pay for the parts then I can go ahead and get it doen for you and you can pay the labor when you pick it up. That way if you back out then Im not at a loss ;)

oops

Yo, check the coolant level and everything.
FYI, I picked up a car w/ blown water seal and put coolant in it (took way too much) then pulled out the plugs. The front rotors spark plugs were actually wet w/ coolant. If yours has been sitting for that long it might also be this bad.

I have a car that got oil in the engine because it was sitting uppsidedown in my parts car i changed the oil did a tune up and it runs fine just try and get it to run ad see how it works

My vote the water got in the oil because of condesation (sp) over the years.

I am unsure of where Somewhere, USA is :)

But it might be just condesation. What have you got to lose? Get that oil out...flush the coolant (Don't forget the block drain) and see what she has!

James

that white stuff in the coolant is oil so theres defenitly something screwed.pull the plugs and turn it over see if theres water in her. but you have nothing to lose, change the oil and coolant and try to fire her up