Newly rebuilt engine blown--what happened?
09-19-06, 09:34 PM
#1
Newly rebuilt engine blown--what happened?
I had my engine rebuilt last spring by a rotary specialist here in the Seattle area. The water seals had failed, presumably from old age. The car had only 78k original miles and no mods at all.
I've been taking my rotaries to this particular tech since I bought my first RX-7 in 1982. The guy has always taken good care of me and been very cool to deal with.
I was driving my car on the freeway last thursday and suddenly the engine started to run rough and lacked power. No noise, no "Bang", nothing to indicate a catastrophic failure. I was very close to my mechanic's shop so I limped it in. I was figuring a popped vacuum hose or something simple. Figured I'd be on the road again in a flash. My tech took one listen to the engine cranking and said that it didn't sound good at all.
I spoke with him today--tuesday, and he told me the apex seals went on the front rotor and that the engine is 10 times worse than before he rebuilt it last spring.
The only issue that I'd had with the car since the rebuild was an occasional rough idle and a very occasional random knocking at freeway speeds in 5th at about 2800 rpm. It only happened about 6 times in the 5 months since the rebuild and I wasn't at all sure that I was hearing predetonation. And I couldn't make it happen on demand to demonstrate it to my tech.
The only mod that we did with the rebuild was add a Pettit downpipe. All else is stock including the ecu. Any thoughts about what might have happened? I'm really puzzled. I take good care of my car--never abusive, just fun driving.
The other issue is my mechanic. The engine rebuild came with a one year warranty. He's pretty upset about having to eat an engine rebuild and all the parts that now need to be replaced. I don't blame him and I don't want to screw him over. At the same time I can't afford to pay for something that I don't believe that I caused.
Yes, this sucks! Any thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.
I've been taking my rotaries to this particular tech since I bought my first RX-7 in 1982. The guy has always taken good care of me and been very cool to deal with.
I was driving my car on the freeway last thursday and suddenly the engine started to run rough and lacked power. No noise, no "Bang", nothing to indicate a catastrophic failure. I was very close to my mechanic's shop so I limped it in. I was figuring a popped vacuum hose or something simple. Figured I'd be on the road again in a flash. My tech took one listen to the engine cranking and said that it didn't sound good at all.
I spoke with him today--tuesday, and he told me the apex seals went on the front rotor and that the engine is 10 times worse than before he rebuilt it last spring.
The only issue that I'd had with the car since the rebuild was an occasional rough idle and a very occasional random knocking at freeway speeds in 5th at about 2800 rpm. It only happened about 6 times in the 5 months since the rebuild and I wasn't at all sure that I was hearing predetonation. And I couldn't make it happen on demand to demonstrate it to my tech.
The only mod that we did with the rebuild was add a Pettit downpipe. All else is stock including the ecu. Any thoughts about what might have happened? I'm really puzzled. I take good care of my car--never abusive, just fun driving.
The other issue is my mechanic. The engine rebuild came with a one year warranty. He's pretty upset about having to eat an engine rebuild and all the parts that now need to be replaced. I don't blame him and I don't want to screw him over. At the same time I can't afford to pay for something that I don't believe that I caused.
Yes, this sucks! Any thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.
09-19-06, 09:42 PM
#2
Wishin I Still Had The FD
Don't worry about how the mechanic "feels" about this. That's why there are warranties- to protect you in cases like this. Just let him rebuild it and hope it doesn't happen again.
09-20-06, 07:25 AM
#4
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
When he performed the engine job, did he recommend having your injectors cleaned/flowtested?
Also, I hope that he replaced all four of your injector plastic fuel diffusers. If he reused those, one could have broken off and fallen into your motor. They get very brittle with age and heat, and the last time I heard a story like yours that was indeed the case
Also, I hope that he replaced all four of your injector plastic fuel diffusers. If he reused those, one could have broken off and fallen into your motor. They get very brittle with age and heat, and the last time I heard a story like yours that was indeed the case
09-20-06, 07:35 AM
#5
development
knocking at 2800 rpm is a serious issue...
what rpm were you at when the motor let go.
have your mechanic inspect the twins...I'm almost sure the turbine blades are chewed up. That might come out of your pocket though.
what rpm were you at when the motor let go.
have your mechanic inspect the twins...I'm almost sure the turbine blades are chewed up. That might come out of your pocket though.
09-21-06, 03:09 AM
#6
I don't know for sure what the rpms were, but it was likely in the 2500 range as I was doing about 65 in 5th. There was no sign on knocking on that trip at all.
It's really disappointing to have all this happen. I bought the car in 2002 with 28k on it and it ran great with no problems until the water seals started leaking and I had to have the engine rebuilt. Man these are expensive cars to own... I sure love mine though...
It's really disappointing to have all this happen. I bought the car in 2002 with 28k on it and it ran great with no problems until the water seals started leaking and I had to have the engine rebuilt. Man these are expensive cars to own... I sure love mine though...
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09-21-06, 08:07 AM
#9
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
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Originally Posted by GoodfellaFD3S
Also, I hope that he replaced all four of your injector plastic fuel diffusers. If he reused those, one could have broken off and fallen into your motor. They get very brittle with age and heat, and the last time I heard a story like yours that was indeed the case
should we all drive a Ford Cobra?
nah....
09-21-06, 08:21 AM
#10
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Well, supposedly you can just remove the diffusers altogether, thus eliminating a failure point. Once you get rid of the original/10-12 yr old ones, you don't much much to worry about. With our modded cars, you're going to be cracking apart the motor sooner than that anyway 
09-21-06, 11:43 AM
#11
I *am* going to check out the injector issue. Seems like I can't afford not to. Is it possible for our cars to predetonate with no audible indication? I'm wondering if I had a big problem with it for an extended period of time with no outward signs and it weakened the seal(s) over time until they failed. I understand that any knocking is bad, but can it take place with no symptoms?
Thx for the help!
Thx for the help!
09-22-06, 01:43 PM
#14
silver ghost
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As Rich stated it sounds like some kind of injector issue. Intermittent prior symptoms + a front rotor gone. New motor w/ 80k injectors is taking a chance. Flow test them when you pull . Then have them cleaned.Good luck
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