LLLL

I am new to rotary engine. What "kills" the rotary engine since it doesn't have rods and pistons? Is it about the same maintainence as rods and pistons engine? Oil change, spark plugs, make sure not running lean. Can rotary be over revv? Thanks in advance.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Turbo engines tend to die from boost related issues. Someone cranks the boost without enough fuel, it boost spikes, or something else happens to cause detonation. The detonation breaks an apex seal.

NA engines generally just wear out. When apex seal wear finally reaches the point where the seal becomes too short to stay in the rotor, it rolls out and the engine lets go.

Of course, the engine can be overrevved. Over revving results in chattering, eccentric flex and extreme wear.

Poor maintenance is a big problem as well.

Keep in mind that the rotary is a very simple engine. Simplicity is a double edged sword. Fewer parts means that a failure is likely to be more critical then if one of the 10 million parts in a piston engine fails.

Kentetsu

Take really good care of your cooling system. Overheating will kill a rotary very quickly. I'd say that's probably the #1 killer of non-turbo rotaries.

LLLL

Thanks for all the great info. I will keep in mindof those info. I have read and get some info on this forum and understand that there are some "better" apex seal but have mix feeling about it. If I plan to keep the car and refresh the engine, I would think it is a good idea to replace the apex seal with a "better" one. With that said, each rotor has 3 apex seals? In a 13B, there will be 6 seals total? Usually how much are those seals cost?

Thanks again.