Engine rebuild
#1
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Engine rebuild
Hey,
I have a 86 N/A and thinking about rebuilding the engine. My reason is because it is blowing white smoke on cold cranks. Do you guys know why or the reason? Also should I buy any special tools to help the rebuild go a little smoother? I have never rebuild a rotary before.
I have a 86 N/A and thinking about rebuilding the engine. My reason is because it is blowing white smoke on cold cranks. Do you guys know why or the reason? Also should I buy any special tools to help the rebuild go a little smoother? I have never rebuild a rotary before.
#2
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From reading around here it seems a lot of rotaries smoke on cold start. Does it keep smoking for more than like 5 seconds after? Then you might have a problem, if not, then it's probably just being a rotary
*disclaimer this is just my understanding so far*
*disclaimer this is just my understanding so far*
#3
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welcome to the board.
i'm usually a little cautious when I hear "white smoke" - especially at this time of the year. so go ahead and answer a few questions first.
how does the "smoke" smell?
are you running low on antifreeze periodically?
does the gauge indicate that the engine is running hotter than it normally does?
also, check to see if your cooling system is over-pressurized when the engine is running.
i'm usually a little cautious when I hear "white smoke" - especially at this time of the year. so go ahead and answer a few questions first.
how does the "smoke" smell?
are you running low on antifreeze periodically?
does the gauge indicate that the engine is running hotter than it normally does?
also, check to see if your cooling system is over-pressurized when the engine is running.
#4
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If its a sweet smell in the smoke that is coolant rings. Another good way to check also is if you get a leslie funnel put it on the car and start it when its cold and if you see anything that looks like champagne bubbles then thats coolant seals as well and would require rebuild. That funnel is great for burping the car as well.
#5
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Hey guys
The smoke only last for about 5-10 sec if I drive everyday. If the car sits for a week or so it last for about 4-5 mins and goes away. It does not smell sweet it smells like exhaust.
I checked the anti-freeze it not low and the car does not run hot.
I am just worrying because I have a rx-8 that is down and out because of low compression and do not want my rx-7 to go down.
what about tools for the rebuild do you know of any tools I would need to buy?
Welcome JAP rotor I am new to the group as well thank for the help.
The smoke only last for about 5-10 sec if I drive everyday. If the car sits for a week or so it last for about 4-5 mins and goes away. It does not smell sweet it smells like exhaust.
I checked the anti-freeze it not low and the car does not run hot.
I am just worrying because I have a rx-8 that is down and out because of low compression and do not want my rx-7 to go down.
what about tools for the rebuild do you know of any tools I would need to buy?
Welcome JAP rotor I am new to the group as well thank for the help.
Last edited by Aaron Cake; 03-31-13 at 09:36 AM. Reason: Merge 5 posts
#6
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- torque wrenches (proper reassembly, using a reference for the torque specs)
- impact wrench (the main pulley)
- a truck/diesel repair shop (to pull the flywheel and then get it replaced at 300 ft-lbs)
- a large flathead screwdriver and/or possibly an acetylene torch (disassemble the e-shaft for cleaning)
- dial indicator
- feeler gauges
- a hand-held rotary tool (cleaning, grinding miscellaneous things)
this was just off the top of my head for a quick look at what you'll need. there are more comprehensive lists on the board if you look for them.
#7
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I think you dont need to replace the water seals, because my fd, smokes white when I dont start the car in like a week, but then it goes to normal, the next day I start it fully cold out because I live in washington, and I get no white smoke at all, I asked a mechanic here in WA and he said all rotaries smoke white when not started in a while. Unless you start it and it smokes white, and continues to smoke white without changing to grey, then your seal is broken.
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#9
Rotary Power
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That smoke is condensation in the exhaust being burned out(which is normal ).
If you were having a serious problem your car would be smoking like a banshee when you start it and sputter until all the coolant is burned out of the combustion chamber.
Youd also have significant loss of coolant. My NA emptied its coolant to what appeared bone dry overnight after being topped off when the coolant seals went.
If you were having a serious problem your car would be smoking like a banshee when you start it and sputter until all the coolant is burned out of the combustion chamber.
Youd also have significant loss of coolant. My NA emptied its coolant to what appeared bone dry overnight after being topped off when the coolant seals went.
#12
hey i have the same problem but the smoke is most likely coolant cuz it smells sweet but the engine runs perfectly fine. to be honest it consumes a bit of coolant about maybe a little less than 10 oz of coolant a week, also given that i drive it everyday to work and school. but this has been going on since about a year ago. anyways, is there anyway to stop the coolant seals from deteriorating as fast or are they gonna go all of a sudden???
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hey i have the same problem but the smoke is most likely coolant cuz it smells sweet but the engine runs perfectly fine. to be honest it consumes a bit of coolant about maybe a little less than 10 oz of coolant a week, also given that i drive it everyday to work and school. but this has been going on since about a year ago. anyways, is there anyway to stop the coolant seals from deteriorating as fast or are they gonna go all of a sudden???
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#16
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Atkins rotary has kits that start at $600 includes apex, side seals and internal gaskets. The rotor bearings never really go bad and are seldom replaced. U can get a intake gasket kit for about $75 Atkins also sells a good rebuild video.
The flywheel but is hard to remove you'll need a powerful impact gun 1000lbs removing.
The flywheel but is hard to remove you'll need a powerful impact gun 1000lbs removing.
#18
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Atkins sells Camden kits now. Expensive and very unsophisticated but they do work. I am personally going a custom supercharger route with a real Eaton roots blower whereas the Camden ones are silly two piece units that are very inefficient.