How much does it cost to replace a apex seal?
How hard is it to replace apex seals? When replacing apex seals you should also disassemble the engine completely. They won’t necessarily assist if the surface they match up to (housings) is in poor condition. A rebuild kit costs between $1,500 and $1.5k for gaskets, seals, and other components.
What causes apex seal failure?
Most problems associated with faulty apex seals have to do with compression, or lack of it. Poor compression can cause many different types of problems in any type of internal combustion engine. So, here are some of the most common compression related symptoms that may indicate a cracked or damaged apex seal.
What is Rotary apex seal material?
An apex seal element for a rotary internal combustion engine is described which is comprised of a cemented carbide having a binder constituted of nickel and molybdenum carbide and a controlled addition of excess free carbon (or equivalent lubricating agent).
How do I check my apex seal clearance?
Use a micrometer to check the seal height. With a feeler gauge, check the side clearance between the apex seal and the groove in the rotor. Insert the gauge until its tip contacts the bottom of the groove. If the gap is greater than 0.0035 in.
What is the best material for apex seals?
Cast Iron Apex Seals (stock) are best for many applications.
Is the Mazda rotary engine reliable?
Can a Mazda RX-8 be a Reliable Car? While the RX-8 has the unique rotary style engine, it has a record of being highly unreliable, particularly after 60,000 miles.
What kind of rotors does a Mazda have?
All Mazda rotors consist of two (2) main pieces: the basic cast iron rotor and the steel rotor gear that is held in the basic rotor by 9 or 12 roll pins. Over the years, Mazda has reduced the weight of the rotor assemblies in an effort to improve performance.
When to run apex seal or rotor housing?
As long as you never exceed 8,500 RPM (RX-8 – 9500 RPM) and don’t run the engine highly supercharged (not exceeding 12 psi of boost), the stock seals will “seal” better and last a long time. When building a high performance engine, run the latest model apex seal/rotor housing combination suitable for your series of engine.
What causes damage to the apex seal on a rotary engine?
When assessing apex seal wear upon disassembly, it is wise to note the following points. If the sides of the apex seal and the groove show damage and/or the apex seal spring has lost its tension it is likely that the rotor was inadequately cooled.
Where are the front rotors on a car?
If the small “chamfer” on the edge near the apex seal is to the right of that seal, that is the “front” rotor – as situated in the stock car. If not, this is the rear rotor. A second concern for rotors used near or above 8,500 RPM is the clearance between the sides of the rotor and the side housings.