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Motor #1 just blew

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Old May 20, 2002 | 07:45 AM
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Unhappy Motor #1 just blew

97,685 miles and my motor blew. She let go half way around the first lap of yesterday's autox. I hope to have her back on the road within a few weeks, we'll see if I can make it. I spent $$$ moving into a new place on Saturday and the motor let go Sunday.

Plan to get a reman from RP. Now to call Chris...
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Old May 20, 2002 | 08:53 AM
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when you say blew what do you mean? how were you sure?
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Old May 20, 2002 | 09:19 AM
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From: Dallas
Motor fits every description I have heard of being blown:

no weird noises, power just went away

hard to start, won't idle

no power at all, but runs

sounds like a helicopter

inside of the tailpipe is now spotless due to the fuel coming out

sound of exhaust is just like other rotaries I have heard with an apex seal gone


Will verify with a compression check before pulling motor, but I am 98% sure the motor is gone.
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Old May 20, 2002 | 09:59 AM
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congrats and welcome to the club....

97K..not too shabby since you actually seem to push the car
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Old May 20, 2002 | 02:05 PM
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Unhappy

Oh man... I'm really sorry to hear that.... Good luck with the rebuild...

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Old May 20, 2002 | 02:06 PM
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it did well

be proud of it
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Old May 20, 2002 | 02:52 PM
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I am trying not to go home and empty my liqour cabinet; I may not get to eat next month.

Going to do a "poor mans" compression check tonight before I actually hand out my credit card number and get a motor on the way. Planning to do the transplant myself; done plenty of engine work in the past but this is my first time with the RX-7.
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Old May 20, 2002 | 03:06 PM
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rynberg's Avatar
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Sorry to hear that man. Are you going with a Mazda reman or having RP rebuild it?

My wife and I just moved on Saturday too, into our first house.

Good luck on doing the job yourself and I hope you don't miss too much of the season/summer.
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Old May 20, 2002 | 03:24 PM
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YEAH!!! WhooHooo!! You Popped the Cherry, You are now offically and RX-7 Owner . JK, Sorry about that, but That motor lasted pretty long, so don't feel too bad. Good luck on your rebuild, and may you be back on the road soon
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Old May 20, 2002 | 07:30 PM
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From: Cockaigne
why are you going with a reman instead of a rebuild? Just curious.
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Old May 20, 2002 | 09:55 PM
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damon,

i just pulled mine and stripped it down last weekend....it wasnt bad - pretty easy actually

the PPF bolts are a real bitch and a half though...

there is a thread on here about pullling the motor with the tranny that was pretty helpful

-Nic
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Old May 21, 2002 | 06:31 AM
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Nice to hear, Nic. Good luck getting yours running too.

Did a compression check last night and the rear rotor only has compression on one face; definately an apex seal gone. Hopefully spend my Memorial Day weekend pulling the motor.
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Old May 21, 2002 | 08:08 AM
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well, sorry to hear that you engine blew. I just did mine myself. However, I left the tranny in the car.
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Old May 21, 2002 | 09:39 AM
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From: Dallas
Originally posted by weaklink
why are you going with a reman instead of a rebuild? Just curious.
Sticking with stock motor and a crate motor will get me running sooner. This car is my daily driver.
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Old May 22, 2002 | 10:40 AM
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DamonB,

I am local in Dallas, so if you need an extra set of hands during the process, let me know. My car has 75K on it, so I'm hopeful that I can get close to 100K before rebuild, but it would be nice to have some 3rd Gen experience. My brother and I did a complete rebuild on my 81 RX-7, RP motor, tranny rebuild, disk brake rear end swap, suspension, interior, everything except the paint was new on that car. Sold it to buy my 3rd Gen!
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Old May 22, 2002 | 04:31 PM
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by the looks of your sig, you do not have an upgraded computer, which may have contributed to engine failure due to lean running

I recommend getting a Pettit computer, I love mine
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Old May 22, 2002 | 05:58 PM
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Nah, your apex seals are just leaking slowly - put in a gallon or two of Block Weld in your leading plug holes and go for it! (jk)

I'm amazed with all the autocrossing you do your engine held up for so long! I think that shows how dependable and tough the rotary is if taken care of....

Too bad.
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Old May 23, 2002 | 12:15 AM
  #18  
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i am new to the rx-7. What is the difference between a reman and a rebuild???
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Old May 23, 2002 | 12:52 AM
  #19  
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Mine blew at an autocross eight months ago! Did you here the "you lose buzzer"...I actually heard when mine went, it sounded like a gear grind.

I know your pain, I had to wait six months for my engine (had to be boated from Mazda USA to Italy).

I got it back a month ago and its kicking *** again, I get back on the track this Saturday.

Back in the saddle again.
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Old May 23, 2002 | 09:16 AM
  #20  
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From: Dallas
Originally posted by yzf-r1
by the looks of your sig, you do not have an upgraded computer, which may have contributed to engine failure due to lean running

I recommend getting a Pettit computer, I love mine
A downpipe and catback won't kill the motor; especially since I changed the wastegate pill to keep it at 11 lbs max. She died of old age; never pinged in her life.
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Old May 23, 2002 | 09:18 AM
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From: Dallas
Originally posted by RonKMiller
Nah, your apex seals are just leaking slowly - put in a gallon or two of Block Weld in your leading plug holes and go for it! (jk)

I'm amazed with all the autocrossing you do your engine held up for so long! I think that shows how dependable and tough the rotary is if taken care of....

Too bad.
Ron; it's up to you to find out how long the block weld holds up! Mine was still great, no coolant problems at all. Hope to have it back together in 2 weeks.
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