Hey guys I'm putting this post here because I bet people have asked this like a thousand times, but I could use some help on this. I'm about to buy an Rx-7 that cracked an apex seal. Is it a really complicated job to pull apart a rotary and replace all the seals? Is that all that needs to be done to actually "rebuild" a rotary? I also read here ... "If your engine has no compression on the rear rotor with 100k+ miles on it you probably have a cracked apex seal, typical on 13b's with the 2mm apex seals, when the apex seal cracks it probably took out the rotor housing and the rotor" ... does that mean that the engine is not rebuildable? Oh and the guy told me it was the front rotor that has no compression, does that make a difference? If it is rebuildable is it worth it to rebuild myself or should I just take it somewhere and have them do it? And if it isn't rebuildable how much can I expect to pay for a used 13b n/a? I know it's a lot of questions ...



Thank you for your help.

 

I think you will be okay as long as the APEX seal didn't do any damage to the housing when it broke.

 

first try the atf trick--you'll find it here somewhere if you look enough.

If that doesn't work it prob. is a bad apex seal and you'll have to rebuild-- odds are that the apex seal scarred the rotor housing and it will have to be replaced..

..if you have time and are not afraid it's not too bad a job

 

Not too complicated, but still more than just "replace an apex seal". Best case scenario with a cracked Apex seal is that it's just cracked...You pull the engine apart, and for the price of an apex seal, one large apex seal spring, one small apex seal spring, and an o-ring kit, you're done. Less than $150. Worst case scenario is that it scarred the rotor housing, then a piece fell off and the rotor got pitted, then that piece scratched the rear AND the intermediate housing, then went out of the exhaust port and broke pieces off of the turbine wheel....Let's not discuss how much THAT will cost.