Notices
Series I Trouble Shooting This is the place to learn more about or discuss any issues you're having with your RX-8

Rear Main Seal Leak

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 07-22-2009, 08:49 AM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rear Main Seal Leak

Anyone know if this is covered under the extended engine warranty? Thanks
Old 07-22-2009, 09:51 AM
  #2  
He's as bad as Can
 
expo1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Manchester, NJ
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
If you are referring to the 8yr / 100,000 extended warranty I am going to guess no. Mazda specifically covers 'Internal Seals' under this warranty. That would mean that there are some external seals in the engine they do not cover? Can the Rear Main seal be considered an external seal? If your not covered there is a shop located near you that I purchased my rebuilt engine from. Mazmart is the place to get one if you have to pay for an engine out of pocket. Also consider a new clutch & flywheel since your pulling the trans off anyway. If you haven't been to a dealer yet go and mention poor performance and the leak. Request a compression test and there is a chance it could fail which would = a replacement motor.
Old 07-22-2009, 10:15 AM
  #3  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the input. I am actually on my 2nd motor already. Got the new one less than 1 year and 4,000 miles ago. I think you are probably right about the engine core warranty. What makes a seal "external"? The rear main seal is between the rear housing and the flywheel, right?

I am outside of my general warranty, but still have my powertrain warranty. Plus, I should have a 12 month/ 12k mile warranty for the components swapped with the new engine.

Last edited by Guisslapp; 07-22-2009 at 10:22 AM.
Old 07-22-2009, 10:21 AM
  #4  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 31 Likes on 29 Posts
the only way to be sure is bring it in and ask.
Old 07-22-2009, 10:25 AM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Easy_E1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellevue WA
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
Call the dealer or show up at the dealer and inquire.\
It shouldn't be leaking after 4000 miles.
Old 07-22-2009, 11:19 AM
  #6  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
To update - the dealer claims that it is not covered under the extended engine core warranty. Still waiting to find out if they will cover it under powertrain or replacement part warranties.
Old 07-22-2009, 11:32 AM
  #7  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Easy_E1
It shouldn't be leaking after 4000 miles.
That raises another point. Any idea what could make this seal go bad? Heat or problem with an e-shaft bearing?
Old 07-22-2009, 12:14 PM
  #8  
He's as bad as Can
 
expo1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Manchester, NJ
Posts: 4,309
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Guisslapp
That raises another point. Any idea what could make this seal go bad? Heat or problem with an e-shaft bearing?
A mistake made during the rebuild of your 2nd engine?
Old 08-26-2009, 02:12 PM
  #9  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Update - I was told that one of the e-shaft bearings was defective (bent?).
Old 08-26-2009, 02:55 PM
  #10  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Easy_E1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellevue WA
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Guisslapp
Update - I was told that one of the e-shaft bearings was defective (bent?).
Orly! What E-Shaft Bearing? The only bearing is in the rear stationary gear. That's a Babbit Bearing. It's not even close to the seal. OK about an inch away. And the flywheel is what slides into the seal in that area.

Where did they come up with this conclusion?

I call shenanigans!

Last edited by Easy_E1; 08-26-2009 at 02:58 PM.
Old 08-26-2009, 03:21 PM
  #11  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Easy_E1
Orly! What E-Shaft Bearing? The only bearing is in the rear stationary gear. That's a Babbit Bearing. It's not even close to the seal. OK about an inch away. And the flywheel is what slides into the seal in that area.

Where did they come up with this conclusion?

I call shenanigans!
He said something about it being part of a counterweight. Does that help?
Old 08-26-2009, 03:39 PM
  #12  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Easy_E1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellevue WA
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
You have a manual Transmission. There is no counter weight unless you have an aftermarket light weight flywheel. He is referring to the sealing surface on the back of the flywheel. The part where it bolts to the eccentric shaft. It has the sealing surface on it. And this is where it's leaking from.
Who installed the flywheel? That is where I would looking and asking questions.
Old 08-26-2009, 03:46 PM
  #13  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Easy_E1
You have a manual Transmission. There is no counter weight unless you have an aftermarket light weight flywheel. He is referring to the sealing surface on the back of the flywheel. The part where it bolts to the eccentric shaft. It has the sealing surface on it. And this is where it's leaking from.
Who installed the flywheel? That is where I would looking and asking questions.
Automatic. Sorry, should have clarified earlier.
Old 08-26-2009, 06:26 PM
  #14  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Easy_E1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellevue WA
Posts: 7,675
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Guisslapp
Automatic. Sorry, should have clarified earlier.
Then you have a counter weight. Same thing as the flywheel in the seal area.
Who put the replacement engine in your car? They're the ones I would be asking about fixing it on their dime. But it could have happened at the Re-Man facility too. Could have been a defective seal.

All in all I think Mazda should fess up and fix it for free.
Old 08-26-2009, 08:06 PM
  #15  
Registered
iTrader: (7)
 
invasion08's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New jersey
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
You should be covered with a new engine comes a 1yr 12k mile warranty. I would call Mazda North America.
Old 05-15-2010, 12:03 PM
  #16  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Seems like the problem has come back. Looks like the oil is leaking from the same location as before, so I am taking it back to the dealership service department that did the last repair. Last time they replaced a counterweight. The paperwork said that the flywheel was wedged on the e-shaft. Wonder if it is the same thing again...
Old 05-15-2010, 12:32 PM
  #17  
Administrator
 
zoom44's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: portland oregon
Posts: 21,958
Received 115 Likes on 88 Posts
yeah they keep f-ing up the replacment.
Old 05-15-2010, 03:46 PM
  #18  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Guisslapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, they were not able to diagnose the location of the leak, so they put some dye in the oil. Told me to drive another 500 miles and bring it back in. Oil was all the way around the oil pan, so it may be an oil pan seal. That is what I thought it was last time, so who knows?
Old 05-15-2010, 04:58 PM
  #19  
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
 
nycgps's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Planet Earth
Posts: 19,881
Received 31 Likes on 29 Posts
It could be a bad build from factory but ... my guess is the dealership who installed ur engine last time messed it up. Perhaps somebody overtighen something?
Old 05-15-2010, 05:37 PM
  #20  
I zoom therefore I am.
 
laythor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 4,919
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
you'd think the dealer would just send it to a better shop.. lol
Old 05-16-2010, 08:05 AM
  #21  
the giant tastetickles
 
yiksing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: in the basement
Posts: 2,758
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Get them to fix it for free, use "4000 miles" as leverage
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Warrior777
RX-8 Parts For Sale/Wanted
207
06-24-2019 04:47 PM
WingleBeast
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
22
05-23-2016 09:22 PM
TeslaMSI
New Member Forum
11
12-10-2015 01:10 AM
nivong
Europe For Sale/Wanted
0
09-02-2015 07:54 AM
akagc
RX-8's For Sale/Wanted
7
08-11-2015 07:07 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Rear Main Seal Leak



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:51 AM.