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

Engine failure – Have you opened an engine up?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 07-22-2007, 11:15 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Kill No Cone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Engine failure – Have you opened an engine up?

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?
Old 07-22-2007, 11:47 PM
  #2  
The Professor
 
staticlag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
theres no way to know. so many of the symptoms are similar.
Old 07-22-2007, 11:59 PM
  #3  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Kill No Cone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 07-23-2007, 07:34 AM
  #4  
La Ocho
 
Opethdtr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Old 07-23-2007, 10:15 AM
  #5  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes on 21 Posts
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.
Old 07-23-2007, 08:03 PM
  #6  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Kill No Cone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks Manic!
Old 07-23-2007, 08:05 PM
  #7  
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 MazdaManiac
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.
Who's 4 port?
Old 07-23-2007, 08:10 PM
  #8  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes on 21 Posts
Originally Posted by Easy_E1
Who's 4 port?
Soon shall be revealed. (If all goes as planned.)
Not yours, unfortunately.
Old 07-24-2007, 11:28 PM
  #9  
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
Darn.
Old 07-31-2007, 09:20 PM
  #10  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes on 21 Posts
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!
Old 07-31-2007, 10:06 PM
  #11  
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
^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?
Old 07-31-2007, 10:24 PM
  #12  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes on 21 Posts
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.
Old 08-02-2007, 10:54 PM
  #13  
Original Turbo 'd Auto !!
 
09Factor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Surprise its Az!
Posts: 2,126
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by MazdaManiac
Soon shall be revealed. (If all goes as planned.)
Not yours, unfortunately.
You're not planning to blow up my 4 port are you?
Old 08-03-2007, 05:43 AM
  #14  
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
MazdaManiac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Under my car
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes on 21 Posts
Originally Posted by 09Factor
You're not planning to blow up my 4 port are you?
Maniacal laughter. Wringing hands madly. Evil twinkle in eyes. Cue sinister music...
Old 08-03-2007, 07:44 AM
  #15  
3-wheeler
 
Flashwing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 2,734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think there have been enough blown motors around Phoenix lately!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vapor2
West For Sale/Wanted
11
11-03-2020 03:38 PM
Jesus Martinez
Series I Tech Garage
42
03-23-2016 09:08 PM
Eirulisse
New Member Forum
13
08-15-2015 12:34 PM
CA441914
New Member Forum
3
08-05-2015 11:33 AM
Belalnabi
New Member Forum
9
07-17-2015 07:48 PM



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

Quick Reply: Engine failure – Have you opened an engine up?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:49 PM.