Where are the apex seals and how do I get to them to see if they are in good shape or not?

275

Asked by Nadine May 12, 2014 at 03:41 PM about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I am trying to see if the seals are in good shape because the dealer said it may not need a new motor if the person who changed to spark plugs might have put them in wrong in shich case it would only cost $160.00 to repair what they call a 'wash out'  verses a new motor.  I only have about 40% compression...

7 Answers

1,845

As stated, the apex seals in a rotary are similar to the rings in a piston engine. They "seal" the rotor edges, hence the name "apex" in the housing as it spins.

9 people found this helpful.
555

I just bought a 2004 Rx8 it runs and drives but low compression.Engine sounds good and idles good but when coming to stop you must keep rpms up or it dies.It's Automatic trans.I was told maybe carbon build up? Since you need to not baby these engines and redline them ever so often and rev them up before shutting down is this all true.? Car has 11000 0.00 miles on it

8 people found this helpful.
555

Thanks for the reply..I don't know much about these cars but like the looks.I have not even checked it out much The guy I got it from said he had compression checked and it was low.Is it hard to pull engine and put new seals in?I work mostly onold school engines with no problem.This engine looks all alien to me but I heard there's only three moving parts.

1 people found this helpful.
555

BTW.I paid 1300.00 is that considered a good price?

2 people found this helpful.
555

And I noticed it is an auto with power shift.car is fast it just dies when you stop at light unless you put it in neutral and keep rpms up a little. Now on a cold start it takes about 10 cranks to start and idles good so hope its something simple

3 people found this helpful.
555

Well thanks for the great info.do you have the info and price for the low mile Japanese motors that might be my best bet and I looked at motor and scratched my head lol how does the motor come out from bottom or? Does it need any special tools or ticks to take out.?

1 people found this helpful.

Hi caki86 did you fix you car or what you did i have the same problem and the dealership said naeeds new motor

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