Blown engine, rebuildable?
07-09-2009, 12:10 AM
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Blown engine, rebuildable?
Well... seems I blew the engine in my '04 on the highway tonight...
The CEL flashed as I was merging onto the interstate, and noticed a slight power loss. I backed off a bit figuring it might have been a misfire and initially nothing seemed out of place, but as soon as I gave it a little gas again, it must have blown the first rotor, as it produced a large oil cloud and grinding noises, combined with significant power loss, and then the second in short order, where it completely cut out (revs dropped to 0 with the clutch in, no matter if I gave it gas or not, and wouldn't relight after popping the clutch). The oil light did come on earlier that same trip, but it never lost oil pressure until the revs dropped.
I turned the starter over and it sounds like it has zero compression. It struggles, but there's no periodic lug at all. Could it have blown all 6 tips in such a short time? or is it something more sinister? Of course I don't know what the inside looks like yet, but does this sort of thing usually tear up the housings and rotors? I might attempt a rebuild, but I'm not sure it wouldn't be cheaper and easier to find a replacement if I have to replace pretty much everything anyway...
The chassis has 118k (so no warranty), but there's only ~21k on the engine. I broke it in "properly" (first oil change @ 1500 mi, low revs for ~4000 miles) and it was running like a top 'till it blew.
The CEL flashed as I was merging onto the interstate, and noticed a slight power loss. I backed off a bit figuring it might have been a misfire and initially nothing seemed out of place, but as soon as I gave it a little gas again, it must have blown the first rotor, as it produced a large oil cloud and grinding noises, combined with significant power loss, and then the second in short order, where it completely cut out (revs dropped to 0 with the clutch in, no matter if I gave it gas or not, and wouldn't relight after popping the clutch). The oil light did come on earlier that same trip, but it never lost oil pressure until the revs dropped.
I turned the starter over and it sounds like it has zero compression. It struggles, but there's no periodic lug at all. Could it have blown all 6 tips in such a short time? or is it something more sinister? Of course I don't know what the inside looks like yet, but does this sort of thing usually tear up the housings and rotors? I might attempt a rebuild, but I'm not sure it wouldn't be cheaper and easier to find a replacement if I have to replace pretty much everything anyway...
The chassis has 118k (so no warranty), but there's only ~21k on the engine. I broke it in "properly" (first oil change @ 1500 mi, low revs for ~4000 miles) and it was running like a top 'till it blew.
07-09-2009, 12:38 AM
#2
wow,
this is a hard one. depends on who replaced and what the old motor was replaced with.
if if was mazda you have a fighting chance. if not, well you can have the motor rebuilt.
but you need to find someone that does rotary rebuilds for a living. they are around here..
beers
this is a hard one. depends on who replaced and what the old motor was replaced with.
if if was mazda you have a fighting chance. if not, well you can have the motor rebuilt.
but you need to find someone that does rotary rebuilds for a living. they are around here..
beers
07-09-2009, 08:07 AM
#3
Lets just say your engine really "blown" with apex falling apart.
Due to the Side exhaust port design, most likely it will trash everything in there with it.
yes its "probably" rebuild-able, but prepare to buy a new side housing, rotor housing, int housing, Rotor itself, and all seals within that rotor chamber.
I think that explains it all. you pretty much fuxked yourself up. and you believe your oil pressure gauge on the dash?
Due to the Side exhaust port design, most likely it will trash everything in there with it.
yes its "probably" rebuild-able, but prepare to buy a new side housing, rotor housing, int housing, Rotor itself, and all seals within that rotor chamber.
The oil light did come on earlier that same trip, but it never lost oil pressure until the revs dropped.
Last edited by nycgps; 07-09-2009 at 08:09 AM.
07-09-2009, 10:26 AM
#5
Well... seems I blew the engine in my '04 on the highway tonight...
The CEL flashed as I was merging onto the interstate, and noticed a slight power loss. I backed off a bit figuring it might have been a misfire and initially nothing seemed out of place, but as soon as I gave it a little gas again, it must have blown the first rotor, as it produced a large oil cloud and grinding noises, combined with significant power loss, and then the second in short order, where it completely cut out (revs dropped to 0 with the clutch in, no matter if I gave it gas or not, and wouldn't relight after popping the clutch). The oil light did come on earlier that same trip, but it never lost oil pressure until the revs dropped.
I turned the starter over and it sounds like it has zero compression. It struggles, but there's no periodic lug at all. Could it have blown all 6 tips in such a short time? or is it something more sinister? Of course I don't know what the inside looks like yet, but does this sort of thing usually tear up the housings and rotors? I might attempt a rebuild, but I'm not sure it wouldn't be cheaper and easier to find a replacement if I have to replace pretty much everything anyway...
The chassis has 118k (so no warranty), but there's only ~21k on the engine. I broke it in "properly" (first oil change @ 1500 mi, low revs for ~4000 miles) and it was running like a top 'till it blew.
The CEL flashed as I was merging onto the interstate, and noticed a slight power loss. I backed off a bit figuring it might have been a misfire and initially nothing seemed out of place, but as soon as I gave it a little gas again, it must have blown the first rotor, as it produced a large oil cloud and grinding noises, combined with significant power loss, and then the second in short order, where it completely cut out (revs dropped to 0 with the clutch in, no matter if I gave it gas or not, and wouldn't relight after popping the clutch). The oil light did come on earlier that same trip, but it never lost oil pressure until the revs dropped.
I turned the starter over and it sounds like it has zero compression. It struggles, but there's no periodic lug at all. Could it have blown all 6 tips in such a short time? or is it something more sinister? Of course I don't know what the inside looks like yet, but does this sort of thing usually tear up the housings and rotors? I might attempt a rebuild, but I'm not sure it wouldn't be cheaper and easier to find a replacement if I have to replace pretty much everything anyway...
The chassis has 118k (so no warranty), but there's only ~21k on the engine. I broke it in "properly" (first oil change @ 1500 mi, low revs for ~4000 miles) and it was running like a top 'till it blew.
Paul.
07-09-2009, 11:03 AM
#6
I disagree. Having built a few engines which had blown apexes, I mostly saw a grooved housing but the side plates are rarely damaged. I wouldn't say I have done enough engines yet for my info to be empirical so take it only as anecdotal.
I will say this with confidence, though; if one decides to have their engine built, make sure to have your side seals custom gapped as the OEM clearances are terrible.
I will say this with confidence, though; if one decides to have their engine built, make sure to have your side seals custom gapped as the OEM clearances are terrible.
13B-MSP ... Side port ... thats just not possible
the failed part will just keep "rolllllin" inside ... rolling ... and rolling ...
Now Back to OP's topic, I have a feeling his motor failed cuz he got no oil in there ... he said it himself, his oil light came on ... I know its not always accurate but ... there is a chance that he got a leak somewhere in the first place but he just keep driving it ... Kaboooooom !
07-09-2009, 11:19 AM
#7
I bid thee farewell
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car-parts.com has cheap engines on there. most rx8 MT engines are around 3g on there with less than 30k miles. orrrrr you could just rebuild, the million dollar man route.
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=10008
http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=10008
07-09-2009, 01:00 PM
#9
Rotary Powered Countryboy
Well your first mistake was driving it with the oil light on...when that's on (like said many times before on this forum) it's too late....the pressure gauge is at it's normal position as long as ther is any kind of positive pressure...0 pressure then it drops.....
should've check the oil often
should've check the oil often
07-09-2009, 01:28 PM
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^Man I missed that when I first read the OPs post, oil light=stop and check oil level NOW. If the OP ran the motor out of oil as I suspect, I say start looking for a fresh rebuilt motor and get rid of the ruined one.
07-09-2009, 02:57 PM
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Now Back to OP's topic, I have a feeling his motor failed cuz he got no oil in there ... he said it himself, his oil light came on ... I know its not always accurate but ... there is a chance that he got a leak somewhere in the first place but he just keep driving it ... Kaboooooom !
Thanks for the advice guys. Looks like I'm now in the market for a rebuilt engine... :sigh:
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