Boat Anchor

So I brought home a father son project through a blizzard last weekend-04 RX8 MT. The kid before us ran it out of oil. He said it was seized. It has 108 Kms on it. It now seems to roll over but nothing else happens. I pulled the plugs (the hard way) before I found this Forum...found them wet and still firing.

So we left out the leading plugs and rolled it over to see what we get for compression. Both rotors were showing around 40psi. I assume this is bad. At least it is for one of those "other kind of engines"...

So I have read the posted procedure for removing the engine upward (like a normal car). Looks feasable. So I am looking for engine options in Canada for rebuilds or refurbished or new engines (does any one know what Mazda wants for a motor). I am out in the Prairies...

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

If you aren't going for any special rebuild, Mazmart (forum vendor, same username) is generally the best priced for replacement engines that you can trust. Mazda usually charges between $4,500 and $6,000 (USD) for an engine, marked up of course. Mazmart's price is usually around $3,500 USD (not sure if that includes core or not though)

If you get much lower than that, you are talking unknown status/history used engine.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

If its flooded the compression will be low. You might want to pull start it and run it to dry it out and seem what the compression is then

Boat Anchor

I will try the pull start...nothing to loose...

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Compression on a rotary isn't read the same way as a piston engine and you can't really use the same comp tester. There is a deflooding procedure you could try, press the gas all the way to the floor and crank the engine for 5-7 seconds at a time. Repeat a few times and see if it fires up then. Running it out of oil is certainly not amazing for the engine, but it should still fire up and we can see what the damage is from there.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Where are you located?

Clues

He said out in the Prairies. Out of curiosity how much did you pay for the 8?

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

^Out in the prairies is a lot of space...
Figure a location may offer some local help

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Hey Clues-less
Second largest country in the World.

Saying you're in the Prairies is much akin to just saying planet Earth

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Hey man,
Just another idea to consider.
There are a lot of people doing LS1 conversions and I believe a few shops sell the conversion kits so a shade tree mechanic (aka you and your Father) can do it at home.

Like already mentioned already the compression test on the rotary is quite a bit different then your standard reciprocating internal combustion engine.

Boat Anchor

Loki...I owe you a beer (actually alot of beer), whoever you are...

I bought this 04 from a guy who said it seized up with 60K (miles). He had brought it to the dealer. He had run it out of oil. I checked it in his driveway and it just showed a little on the stick. It had sat for 2 months and the battery was dead. So I bought it for $3500 and trailered it home in a snowstorm last weekend. During the week, I joined the club to see if I could figure out how to change the engine. I also bought a battery. I put it over my pit to do a compression check only to find 2 plugs missing. I took the last ugly liter of oil out and filled it.
I found I had 40psi only which I just thought confirmed issues until Loki mentioned about the flooding issue...so I bought some plugs and rolled it over for a while until it eventually fired once....then again...again and again and then there was this giant blue cloud of smoke...the garage still stinks...I thought the fire department was going to come....but it had started. So I let it run and took it out for a rip. Shifting was very good. Smooth acceleration. Let it sit over night and drove it the next day (yesterday) again...Its all good guys.

I live in a small town outside of Saskatoon Can....lots of flat country roads...its going to be a great summer....ZOOM ZOOM.

RX8Soldier

iTrader: (24)

Congrats! Get some pics up

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Good place.....Warman?...or a bit further

Grew up in PA...and drove the Hwy to Saskatoon a few thousand times in university

Are-Ex-Eight

iTrader: (1)

This is an awesome story. Some kid sells his 8 because it was ... flooded.

Anyway I want to see pictures. I am originally from Alberta.

wcs

iTrader: (2)

This had made my day!
Pics or it didn't happen

Boat Anchor

I will get some pics up...but we are busy building a shed ...to get junk out of the garage..so we can get it into one of the bays....

If you guys are ever in Delisle, Sask...send me an note...

What the heck did people do before the internet....must of read alot of books to figure things out...but its people just sharing knowledge that made all the difference in this case- networking...that is what its all about...

Hope I can return the favour some day...

Bladecutter

Boat Anchor (not that its applicable anymore),

What you should do is call up the dealer, and find out when the original sale date was on the car, and see if the car is still under the extended 8 year 100k mile engine warranty.

If it is, take it in for a compression test after you get the car registered, and have them do a proper compression test on it. If it fails that compression test, then you might be able to get Mazda to give you a re-manufactured engine.

If you decide not to go that way, or the dealer denies your warranty claim, at the very least, do a couple short oil changes on it, maybe 3 oil changes at 500 mile intervals to get all of the crappy old oil out of the system, and consider buying new wires plugs and coils to help prevent the flooding that caused the previous owner to throw his hands up in the air, and give up on the car prematurely.

Congrats on the great find.

BC.

Loki

iTrader: (1)

Hah, awesome! Definitely have a proper compression test and inspection done on it.. probably not at the dealer where that kid went though. If it fails compression, they might try to do a de-carbon cleaning procedure, which is fine, let them. If it doesn't fail, you might want to have that done anyway or DIY with Seafoam. Also at 108k your ignition coils are probably not in the best of shape, so might replace those sooner than later.

Enjoy! :D