duder

Dudes and Dudettes,

I dreaded and hope that I would not have to write this post but here it is.
I bought my youngest son his first car a very nice looking red 93, the previous owners seemed to have really taken care of this car.
Anyway, My boys picked up the car and drove it 70 miles home back in December and they said it ran great. My Youngest son would start it up on the week ends and sometimes drive it around the block. He doesn't have his license yet.
So last week they took it to a local guy because it keeps dieing. he said the knocking is a blown engine. My son also so told me there is oil in the exhaust pipe.
I'm working overseas so I don't have a lot of extra info.

What I want to ask is does anyone know a good trustable place in the Pensacola Florida area, say FT Walton Beach to Mobile? If I have to order or suggest a place to order a rebuilt engine who would be good? I don't need a gold plated engine
I prefer reiablitity over power. It does have dual turbos.

Thanx

KrazyIvan02

I'm glad I found this.

There is a place in Pensacola Florida that specializes in RX-7's (everyone that works there claims to have multiple versions of the car) and rotaries are like legos for these kids.

Not sure if they can sell you an engine outright or order one.. but I know for sure they can rebuild with whatever you have getting the parts and whatnot.

I actually talked to a guy up there for something earlier today and they're pretty helpful.

http://www.fighters-garage.com/

Good luck!

Jeff5808

iTrader: (7)

^ Fighters Garage is great. My car is there now

Really nice guys, they call me often to let me know whats going on with my car.
They can also rebuild the engine. You can call em for a price quote. (850) 478-2696.

duder

Ok, great. I found them after doing a bunch of searches for our area. I looked for reviews but couldn't find any, but I liked their web site. I sent two emails yesterday no answer yet. So I tried to call today and had to leave a message. I'm working in Afghanistan so calling is a bit iffy at best.

If they are good a rebuild is fine, I wasn't sure what I might find in our area.

Any wild guess at what I might expect for cost?

farberio

iTrader: (7)

If the local guy has not worked with a lot of rotaries then don't put tooo much faith in his words.

And oil in the exhaust is probably normal.

duder

I didn't trust him. My older boys took their cars to him and they liked him. I told them that a rotary engine is alien technology and piston technology does not apply. I think the guy also said there was no oil pressure. Whatever the case someone needs to look at it. The gas in the tank is around three months old if not older. The guy we bought it from said he didn't drive but maybe once or twice a month.
I think my kids put maybe 30 miles on it since we got it. The engine had been replace under warranty with a new factory one supposedly 45,000 miles ago. I haven't seen the paperwork yet to verify it.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

The rebuild will probably cost $5k. Plus or minus a couple grand.

I might sound like a snot, but have you driven a functioning FD yourself yet? These cars are incredibly light and powerful, and not the kind of car I should have driven as my first car. I bought mine when I was 25, and even then I had to take care. New drivers make mistakes. While FDs are not considered hard to drive, that is only in comparison to similarly capable sports cars. In the hands of a new driver this class of car has a very bad history. Just all FYI.

Kentetsu

I have seen a lot of these cars go into the shop only to be told that the engine was blown. I once met a guy at an autocross who told me that he was in this situation. Another forum member and I drove over there with him, deflooded it, put some gas in the tank (which was empty) and it fired right up. They were asking $4500.00 for a replacement with a used motor.

Something like this might almost be worth taking it to the dealership. Not many people are turning away business these days, and replacing or rebuilding a motor is pretty big business if you can get it. Be careful who you trust. An even better solution would be to get in touch with a local forum member and have him give you a 2nd opinion.

And don't let your kids kill themselves with that beast!


.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

I'll vote against the dealership. Most of the time they handcuff themselves to the diagnostics in the Mazda FSM. As a result they've missed basic stuff like an unplugged MAP sensor and replaced an engine, or replaced a set of turbos because of a stuck check valve.

FDs like to spit a little soot and water out the exhaust. Make sure the "oil" is not sooty water.

I would start by unflooding the engine thoroughly and install new plugs. There are procedures in the FAQs here that detail it. Unlike a piston engine, letting it sit will not unflood it.

Since you just bought the car, it is a great time to get a compression test. You can get this done at a dealer (just the test, don't pay them to get deep into diagnostics or replace more than plugs).

There is a guy named Dale Clark in Pensacola area (I think he might work with Fighters Garage) who will guide you to an appropriate mechanic or do the work himself. He's highly knowledgeable and a good guy to boot. You can send a PM to "DaleClark".

Dave

duder

I was able to get a hold of Fighters Garage in Pensacola and will get it down to them.
Thanks everyone. I will post later what they find.