I see all of these engine failures that are covered by warranty. Yet has anyone been denied a replacement engine and opened the engine up to see what seals went? If Mazda is using a vacuum leak down test to diagnose a bad engine, then I image they are looking at compression seals (apex and side seals). If that is the case, then it is the housing, the side irons, or the seals that are going bad. If they are rebuilding them and putting them back in car, it is probably not the housing or side irons. This leaves us with apex and side seals.

Does anyone know if it is these compression seals that are going away?

I have also heard seals are going away due to the use of synthetic oils. This would lead me to think there is a chemical break down of the seals (which could be water seals, oil containment seals, or compression seals). Since I have not heard of tons of smoke and leaking water I would not think it is water or oil containment seals. Back to compression.

The other issue with synthetic oil is that it really does not burn well. If the oil metering system is injecting this into the combustion chamber, this could be plugging up the cats and causing the heat. So, is it really is a heat issues, again which seal is it going bad.

Or, maybe it is this oil that is causing a carbon build up which is gumming up the compression seals.

In the end, if the housing and irons are good, they are not that hard to rebuild. Anyone having luck with this…for that matter, any more info on the break down?

 

theres no way to know. so many of the symptoms are similar.

 

I think that if we started taking these engines apart we would find a similar set of issues. This would give us the end user a better idea of how to manage the problems. We may also find that it is generally one or two problems that are occurring and the individuals may be able to fix.

 

Right now alot of owners are still under warrenty. So far, just by what I have read owners get their engines replaced. If they don't they just sell the car or trade it in for a new one. The only way right now is to go to a junk yard and find an 8 with a bad engine.

 

It is an abnormal seal wear issue. It is not because of synth oil, but temperature and lack of lubrication.

I will get some pics up of a "failed" 4-port motor in the next few weeks for your perusal.

 

Thanks Manic!

 

Who's 4 port?

 

Soon shall be revealed. (If all goes as planned.)
Not yours, unfortunately.

 

Darn.

 

Well, I guess we got the answer on your motor today.
I wish you could have seen the seal the way it presented itself when Karl spun the motor for me earlier. It not only walked out of the groove, but it would stick 1/2 inch into the intake port!

 

^Ain't that the *****. I was trying to form a bond with that new engine, and she kicked me to the curb. Darn seals!

I still want to know how the hell do you break a side seal?

 

By putting in the incorrect size.
It heats up, expands, hits the corner seals and has no where to go but out of its groove in an arch.

 

You're not planning to blow up my 4 port are you?

 

Maniacal laughter. Wringing hands madly. Evil twinkle in eyes. Cue sinister music...

 

I think there have been enough blown motors around Phoenix lately!