Phil S1 Posted April 16, 2012 Posted April 16, 2012 Yep, roll bar supports will be the first thing on my list Just spoken with Kiwi Rog, he's got plenty of work on at the moment so it looks like my best option will be to strip the car down as soon as possible and get the head to him so he can fit it in as soon as the opportunity arises.
smithpaulg Posted April 16, 2012 Author Posted April 16, 2012 This isn't a job I am really going to have the time to do, although I do wish I did, but I want to drive my car again before next year. Started phoning and have spoken to some nice people, but as you can imagine the opportunity of opening up the engine is getting me thinking what to do next. So I am going to need to put some thought into the next steps as it might be the right time to swap some bits (without getting too carried away of course). Will be reading past threads on what others have done...... Once again thanks for all the feedback. Paul
Paul_C Posted April 23, 2012 Posted April 23, 2012 When mine went I was chasing a BMW 535i down a slip road onto the A38... 6500rpm in 3rd gaining on the BM and... Boom. Head gasket went, pressurised the water and blew one of the pipes wide open. There was oil and water everywhere! It made it another mile then died completely.
KingK_series Posted May 13, 2012 Posted May 13, 2012 Firstly I need to say what a great day Wednesday was, both my mate and I enjoyed the MLOC pilgrimage to the factory, so a big thanks to Chris for organising, and for everyone else's company. After only just getting my car back and having my electrical problems fixed 3 days before, 8 miles from the factory, 'steadily bringing up the rear of our sedate convey, I lost some coolant, and saw my temperature gauge flash when it got to 111 degs C, I dont know whether there is an irony in that ? the other irony is that we were just discussing the fact that i didnt like a digital temperature display! Fortunately a garage appeared and I coasted into the forecourt to find a steaming engine and a puddle of water under the engine. A quick top-up of water, and discussion with Eddie, showed there were no leaks, so we put everything down to the headertank cap. A steady 10min trip to the factory got us there just in time to do the tour (which was good - I love the the Evora GTE). Following that the chaps at the factory found me a header tank cap at a local Lotus dealer (there were none at the factory!) a quick trip over to them and Eddie fitted it and topped the car up again ready for the trip home. At this point I would like to thank Eddie for all of his support and knowledge and for sticking with me on the way home. The trip home, on the A14/motorway, everything thing was normal temperature-wise, until I got off 10mins before home where I started to see the temperature change erratically, so suddenly the paranoia set in and i started to worry again, just when i thought the problem was sorted. On reaching home and checking everything, I had lost some water, but i put this down to just needing topping up again to replace the missing coolant earlier. Later that evening, after the car cooled, I restarted it. On starting there was a lot of steam, also I could see the coolant has become quite dark and on starting the engine it was 'missing' occasionally (at higher revs this then disappears). So, now the paranoia has set in, based on the following 1. I am losing water 2. the coolant is becoming quite dark 3. steam on startup 4. erratic temperature display (previously it was a solid 87 - now goes anywhere between 79 and 95) I suspect the early onset of HGF Although I can see no signs of Mayonnaise etc so am hoping there is nothing major. So I am now officially off the road for fear of further damage!. So onto the reason for the post - can anyone recommend anyone in the Midlands a reputable company to diagnose the problem and ultimately fix it? I can see a number of suppliers on here all advertising servicing and upgrades, but do they do this type of work. I would like to get some feedback from MLOC so i can get quotes, get it shipped off and back on the road asap and want to find out my options. Thanks in advance Paul ps yes I have considered this might be time for upgrading, but don't tell the boss! I'd say given you that lost coolant, [put that down to the header cap] - it almost certainly was coolant into the oil which has burnt off, you got a major air pocket in the head which has caused the head to go soft, which then explains why in your second indecent coolant has got into the cylinders. you must get this head hardness tested, reusing it without being sure it is still good will invite repeated failures, and you will get fed up and want to get a dreaded ten ton honda. Honestly for 5 mins worth of hardness testing you will probably save endless grief. Any new head needs to be tested too unless it really is brand new out of green plastic wrapper. u2u me foe a hardness test FOC if that helps.
smithpaulg Posted May 20, 2012 Author Posted May 20, 2012 OK, thought I would just post a quick update, as things have started to move............... Yesterday I delivered my car to Mike over at MGW, who is going to strip the head off for me. I am then going to pick it up later this week and whiz it down to Roger. Assuming the head is ok, I have opted for his KR1 work, with the Newman phase 2 cams and verniers. Once I get this back, Mike will fit it all back together including a fuel pressure regulator kit and PRT. Not sure on the timescales here, but I hope it will all be worth it ! Of course that will lead me on to what is next......... (but we can't talk about that can we ?) Paul ps Phil - any update on your head with Roger - I can pick up if you need ?
a7esk Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 OK, thought I would just post a quick update, as things have started to move............... Yesterday I delivered my car to Mike over at MGW, who is going to strip the head off for me. I am then going to pick it up later this week and whiz it down to Roger. Assuming the head is ok, I have opted for his KR1 work, with the Newman phase 2 cams and verniers. Once I get this back, Mike will fit it all back together including a fuel pressure regulator kit and PRT. Not sure on the timescales here, but I hope it will all be worth it ! Of course that will lead me on to what is next......... (but we can't talk about that can we ?) Paul ps Phil - any update on your head with Roger - I can pick up if you need ? That's good news to here its on the mend Eddie
KingK_series Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 OK, thought I would just post a quick update, as things have started to move............... Yesterday I delivered my car to Mike over at MGW, who is going to strip the head off for me. I am then going to pick it up later this week and whiz it down to Roger. Assuming the head is ok, I have opted for his KR1 work, with the Newman phase 2 cams and verniers. Once I get this back, Mike will fit it all back together including a fuel pressure regulator kit and PRT. Not sure on the timescales here, but I hope it will all be worth it ! Of course that will lead me on to what is next......... (but we can't talk about that can we ?) Paul ps Phil - any update on your head with Roger - I can pick up if you need ? How are you going to know the head is ok? Roger does not have a hardness tester. secondly the mode of failure suggests the head got very hot and bowed, bent, banana'd [call it what you will] enough over the block to lose fluids in the way you describe that suggests not only that you havn't installed a PRT the most basic of measures but that your liner standproud is inadequate [it is not often that fluids escape in such a precipitate manner, except when clamping loads over the cylinders is very poor] - that means removing the engine to deck the liners and shoulders
Phil S1 Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 No update on mine as yet Paul but don't worry, I'm quite happy to make the trip again. Looks like you're going to the next level with the addition of the cams, that'll have to wait till another time for me.
smithpaulg Posted May 20, 2012 Author Posted May 20, 2012 Eddie - I will make a breakfast meet of yours. I still owe you a breakfast ! Kings - you are right , I don't know what the damage is yet, thanks for the offer of the hardness test, once it's in bits I will have a chat with mike and decide the next course of action! Phil - planning on going down to roger friday pm now, I will see where he is ! Paul
KingK_series Posted May 20, 2012 Posted May 20, 2012 Eddie - I will make a breakfast meet of yours. I still owe you a breakfast ! Kings - you are right , I don't know what the damage is yet, thanks for the offer of the hardness test, once it's in bits I will have a chat with mike and decide the next course of action! Phil - planning on going down to roger friday pm now, I will see where he is ! Paul pleasure...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.