i think it is because of the people who joyride the cars. and it isnt so much bodyshops as it is anyshop.
engine seized after leaving body shop
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Is it possible that the RX7 oil pump lost its prime? I've heard some people talk about losing the prime after changing their oil. Having the car sit for a long time could possibly do the same thing if the pump gets totally drained of oil.
I'm surprised nobody went with our little pet theory...........we were kind of going with the possibility of super fine body shop dust being sucked into the intake. Can an air filter stop all of that stuff?
my rx-7, upon teardown, looked like I had ran it in the desert with no air filter.(rebuilders comments).
One of my friends is adamant that if he ever needs to take a car to a bodyshop again, he's going to disconnect something in fuel or spark and close off the air intake.
too drastic?
my rx-7, upon teardown, looked like I had ran it in the desert with no air filter.(rebuilders comments).
One of my friends is adamant that if he ever needs to take a car to a bodyshop again, he's going to disconnect something in fuel or spark and close off the air intake.
too drastic?
any chance these cars were running around with air filters or intake systems removed? Ducting removed to service the chassis parts?
I've worked in body shops, there is lots of dust most of what I've seen is from grinding/sanding body filler and paint.
I've worked in body shops, there is lots of dust most of what I've seen is from grinding/sanding body filler and paint.
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One would reason that if it was indeed the dust/mists/etc. of the surrounding environment ..that far more engines would routinely seize.
I go with the joy ride theory. I never engaged in the practice myself ...but several of my gas jockey partners (in my teenage years) were known to mark the parking spot of a screaming Datsun (Nissan to you younger folks) and take it out for a thorough thrashing.
It backfired (almost too literalllY) on one guy, however. A MG got towed in ..it had a hole in the radiator ..and had been "dropped" by the tow truck in its trip to the garage. It was only using the station as a "leaving point" for the car until the owner could arrange for a repair.
The kid ran it without coolant. Not too much of a problem for a few miles. He got back to the shop and just about made it in the bay before it died. He had the bright idea of using the engine starter motor, in gear, to get it the last 10-15 ft or so.
Well, with the SU carbs dumping fuel into a superheated engine via the electric fuel pumps, I just heard a "puff=whom" and there was a fire under the hood and under the car.
Chemical extinguishers do a fine job on any underhood environment. Needless to say ...my coworker swares that nothing was done to the car ..it must have been a side effect of the tow truck dropping it in transit.
I go with the joy ride theory. I never engaged in the practice myself ...but several of my gas jockey partners (in my teenage years) were known to mark the parking spot of a screaming Datsun (Nissan to you younger folks) and take it out for a thorough thrashing.
It backfired (almost too literalllY) on one guy, however. A MG got towed in ..it had a hole in the radiator ..and had been "dropped" by the tow truck in its trip to the garage. It was only using the station as a "leaving point" for the car until the owner could arrange for a repair.
The kid ran it without coolant. Not too much of a problem for a few miles. He got back to the shop and just about made it in the bay before it died. He had the bright idea of using the engine starter motor, in gear, to get it the last 10-15 ft or so.
Well, with the SU carbs dumping fuel into a superheated engine via the electric fuel pumps, I just heard a "puff=whom" and there was a fire under the hood and under the car.
Chemical extinguishers do a fine job on any underhood environment. Needless to say ...my coworker swares that nothing was done to the car ..it must have been a side effect of the tow truck dropping it in transit.
I've seen dirt bikes run for a lot more miles than expected with no air filter. The bores look sanded when engine taken apart. I had a buddy who ran an old lawn mower for years without air filter. A little haze of blue smoke but it kept running.
Unless something in the epoxy or plastics are causing damage.
I worked in a used car dealer as a teenager. I used to tune engines, replace water pumps, cylinder heads, etc to rather rugged old used cars. I loved cars and drove fast. I can remember an early '70's Cadillac I was running around in for a few days. Lots of WOT launches. My boss took the car out for lunch and the flex plate grenaded. I'm sure I was a contributing factor
Sometimes a change to severe driving style will spell the end of marginal parts which would survive moderate driving.
Unless something in the epoxy or plastics are causing damage.
I worked in a used car dealer as a teenager. I used to tune engines, replace water pumps, cylinder heads, etc to rather rugged old used cars. I loved cars and drove fast. I can remember an early '70's Cadillac I was running around in for a few days. Lots of WOT launches. My boss took the car out for lunch and the flex plate grenaded. I'm sure I was a contributing factor
Sometimes a change to severe driving style will spell the end of marginal parts which would survive moderate driving.
any chance they did any welding? If so, the electric current will take any path it can find and if the cleanest path of contact happens to pass thru and engine, or a gearbox...
about 10 years ago I had an rx-7 that spent a month in a body shop for new paint(no accident) and the engine seized solid on me 15 minutes after getting the car back.
didn't think nothing of it.
last week, I have talked to two friends who also have had engines seize up solid very soon after leaving an extended stay at the body shop.
how common is this?
didn't think nothing of it.
last week, I have talked to two friends who also have had engines seize up solid very soon after leaving an extended stay at the body shop.
how common is this?
Here in CA. I've seen engines sit months on end and pull a head and see no corrosion on the bores. Maybe more humid areas are different. Maybe water somehow got into open intake or exhaust systems.
My guess the vehicles led a "more exciting" life while under the care of the body shop. Perhaps driven by a 19 YO parts runner, with a few side trips.
[ August 20, 2004, 12:49 PM: Message edited by: tpi ]
My guess the vehicles led a "more exciting" life while under the care of the body shop. Perhaps driven by a 19 YO parts runner, with a few side trips.
[ August 20, 2004, 12:49 PM: Message edited by: tpi ]
Propflux01
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i too, follow the 'thrash' theory. I had a Grand Prix in the shop for new paint. It was an oil burner, and was full when it went in, and almost 2 quarts low when I got it back. Knowing the car and its's consumption as well as I did, it had to be dogged out bad to use that much oil in that little time.
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