Apex seals
 

As many might know, my r3 seals have given in at 34k miles.


So for anyone else changing their seals these would be a good idea.


Goopy High Performance Apex Seal set

I am quite puzzled. I have never heard of factory apex seal failure at that type of mileage since the early 1970s. I don't like the seal wear I see on some at 100k but your apex seals should not be bad in that time frame and especially not on a S2 car. Some RX-8s have gone past 200k on the originals running well and that is 04-05 cars. Mis-diagnosis is common and rampant the world over with rotaries.

Paul.

I believe his was the cause of sudden high volume water ingestion

if that's the case then the seals are probably just the beginning of the parts list... the goopy seals still wouldn't save an engine in that event.

Yea I did have water taken in, not sure if it was a lot or not tbh. It ran well for a good two months after the incident. Either way I think the water caused it but can never be sure. It's found to a specialist Friday so will update. I've also heard putting these rotor tips in can be harsh on the housing so were sticking to standard ones now.

Whilst the rebuild is happening any suggestions on things I can do either performance wise or upgrade wise? Thanks luke

Port and Polish all the ports. That will help everything flow better.

Definitely on my list!!! :)

Don't enlarge any of the ports ... just clean them up. As an S2 owner you would be treading new water.

This should end well.

Any reason the ports shouldn't be enlarged?

I was going for port and polish tbh buddy

I really hope so!!!

oem....

From my understanding you can't cut very much out of these ports without running into the coolant lines.


Personally, if I were having a rebuild, I would be 1,000% anal about tolerances and getting everything perfect, not just "within spec."

I just had my 04 rx-8 engine rebuilt. Realistically, how many miles should I expect to have before the apex seal fails? What can I do to prolong their lives?

Realistically, these engines have gone 200,000 miles without issue while others have gotten only a 5,000 or so before they required a replacement. There is a nearly endless list of reasons that I won't go into (this thread addresses them https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...t-here-202454/ ) but seeing as how you just had your engine replaced/rebuilt you're in a position to make sure stuff like the OMP lines aren't clogged - as this is one possible way in which a new engine can be ruined in a hurry (since these parts are NOT replaced when you get a re-manufactured engine).


You could pre-mix for added lubrication of the apex seal since your 04 car lacks the 3rd oil injector, but this is no guarantee of longevity.

Happy motoring and I hope your unfortunate apex seal failure doesn't sour your taste for the RX8, for it has many, many redeeming attributes.

Thanks for the information. Per the advice of the person who rebuilt the engine for me, I am running a premix with a ratio of about 8 oz per fill-up (about 13 gallons).

I understand your point about checking the OMP lines but how would one do that since, once installed, the lines (which look so very flimsy to me) are deep underneath everything.

Since I haven't done anything to my OMP, I can't say for certain how one would go about it. Any DIY threads about installing the SOHN adapter should/might give you an idea - since the SOHN gets connected their.

Sorry for my ignorance. What is a SOHN adapter?

Its well on its way.

Search.

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-f...4/#post4533739
site:rx8club.com omp line clean
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...method-225321/

site:rx8club.com sohn adapter

The thicker the oil the more deposits on the apex seals.

^ false

deposits on apex seals from thicker oil? you hear a new myth everyday and that is a new one, lol.

the actual theory is that the more carbon laden your oil is the more wear it will produce from the oil injection tract in the housings. at least that was what i noticed in the high mileage single oil injection port RX7 housings. you could distinctly follow a wear line from the injection port all the way to the exhaust opening, in some cases the groove ran from start to end. the renesis has 2 ports at the extremeties of the seal, but the wear is still almost always multiplied in those areas even with the injection ports in that location due to the natural crowning of the seals.

So as a few may know my R3 had a catastrophe, with great loss of power, misfiring and no go at all above 3.5k revs.

A few said apex seal failure, and guess what, you win, it was, Ben at RR who is doing all the work for me said it looked very unusual how it happened.

Coils are fudged too, even though Mazda dealership "Farnham common" said totally fine!!!!?

Either way he has taken photos and is contacting the warranty tomorrow with a list of repairs needed along with parts needing replacement. All is a go at the moment and we all think we have a fighting chance as none of this is due to wear or tear it is simply a catastrophic failure according to Ben.

Here she is going to Ben at RR..

https://i706.photobucket.com/albums/...d/IMG_0809.jpg
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Also when I contacted Ben and Mikey today they sent me the photos of the engine stripped at current and the progress from today.

I will keep this thread updated as and when I hear or get any news.

Also getting plug and play coils along with a port and polish.


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