I am joining the new engine club.

Last weekend, I was running with no load (4th gear, 50 mph) when a horrible racket started and the car died. There is no compression in the back rotor and my oil is full of metal - they think the rotor broke inside the housing.

Anyone ever hear of this happening? I have 2006 6MT with less than 12k miles and I am so so disappointed!

 

Ouch, with only 12,000 mi. Didn't you get the recall from Mazda? Rotors are breaking left and right.

But seriously, hope your new remanufactured engine lasts. If and when my engine goes, I'm buying one from Mazmart since I'm way past warranty anyway. Apparently rebuilds from Mazmart are cheaper than anywhere else and done better than anywhere else. Expo got a rebuild from them and if Expo and others trust them, then so do I.

 

Sorry to hear about your loss. What does the dealer say? Yes "horrible racket and car died" is rare. What is the history of your car? Did you buy new, how many miles were on it? How many oil changes have been done and how many quarts of oil have you had to add? What kind of use has it had, short trips to work, track days? Please give us anything that you know about it's life.

 

I had one of mine com completely apart! Here is the video. <== click

 

that was quite entertaining.

 

nice vid.

the editing and music had me lawling

 

Nice MM. Mine came apart a bit faster - you might say it was catastrophic.

I passed the recall - drive a mix of spirited and not - moved to Royal Purple oil after breakin - keep oil checked - don't think mine uses enough but ... - not a racer - probably the worst thing I do is too many short trips but I get a good mix of highway on weekends.

If the rotor actually broke inside the housing, it has to be a mfg defect.

 

Yeah, that is really unusual.
Renesis motors usually go out with a whimper, not a bang.

 

Can you ask them to let you see the rotor to verify? I'd be interested in your description of the rotor or even a pic.

 

You get a free car rental too.....

 

Mazda won't let them take the motor apart.

 

They gave me a Nissan Versa - cannot remember the last time I had this much fun - gives me a chance to save up for gas in the RX8!

 

cool rental car!

 

I just wish they could take the engine apart and check it for what failed.
If they said the rear has no compression, it sounds like something entered the engine and killed all 3 apex seals on the back rotor. That would be my guess. That would account for the noise heard.
I (personally) do not like Earnhardt's, from my past experiences with them.
I wish you the best of luck.

 

Wow thats too bad. I hope they take car of your baby.

 

**** happens.

the guy who build ur engine probably had a bad day (he just got married probably :lol) and forgot to put something in or not secure enough ...

Lets hope the Mazda reman is good .... good luck man

 

How much does a brand new engine cost?

My drivetrain warrantee is void and I am sure one of these days I will need a new engine.

 

I don't think you can buy a brand new engine. When the time comes and you are out of warranty, you should have a rebuild shipped to you from Mazmart. My understanding is it doesn't get better than a Mazmart rebuild. They are in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Good to know, thanks.

I sent them an email asking for a price quote and the turnaround time it takes to build once the order is placed.

I want to keep enough money in savings to order a new engine the same day mine blows up.

 

I use junk yard motors. They can be had for $1800 to $2500.
Most yards offer 60 day warranties, so I just take it home, clean it up and run a compression check (bolt on the tranny and starter motor).
If it passes that test, the motor will be fine.

 

but not all of us have the equipment to run a compression test in our garage. much less a spare starter motor and tranny.

 

A new motor installed by a mazda dealership around $4,700

 

My stupid engine comes apart almost every freaking day! I'm always noticing that the rotor just keeps popping out of the damn housing.


Oh....wait. We're not talking about the Rotor keychains???



Sorry to hear about your engine, definitely not normal of a rotary car. Hope it gets fixed and you're zoom zooming in the near future.

 

What spare? What equipment?
If you are going to swap a blown motor for a "new" one from a junk yard, everything you need is right there on the floor!
You can do a compression test with a regular gauge, it just isn't as useful or accurate.
But it will give you an idea.
The tranny and the starter motor are already in the car.
They will come out when you pull the broken motor out.

 

The last part you stated, That what I was thinking lol