Jump to content

litp.jpg

Lotus in the Peak
27th - 29th June 2025

Rattle From Engine + Mallory Park = Disaster


@ndy

Recommended Posts

Posted

So Thursday was my 1st track day since my engine upgrade and the weather was looking great, however my engine had developed a small rattle mostly under load around 2000 to 3000 rpm. After checking a few things out I could not find the cause and as you do I decided to go ahead with the day.

 

The morning started of great and the new engine was fantastic on the track. (no more getting out run on the straights by more powerful motors) The noise from the engine thou did get worse and to be honest I should have called it a day at lunchtime.

 

gallery_4172_1167_110921.jpg

 

gallery_4172_1167_21383.jpg

 

gallery_4172_1167_5699.jpg

 

Anyway, after lunch my son went out and there were only 2 other cars and the track and he got a few good laps in, 4 or 5 laps in and standing on the pit wall there was no sign of my car, then the red flags came out so I sort of knew at that time that something had gone wrong…. Had the engine gone, Had he binned it, How was he? (Honestly I did think about him eventually) Then the road sweeper pulled out, Oh no, not good news !

 

Walking thru the paddock 1 guy says I think there’s a car on fire, Oh shit I thought ! However, I get a call from my son, He says “ The engines gone, You don’t want to see the mess”

 

Wait for it......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep on waiting......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK no more teasing.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what I found when I lifted the engine cover, I presume I little end had gone ?

 

gallery_4172_1167_17723.jpg

 

gallery_4172_1167_160793.jpg

 

I only hope no significant damage has been done to the head and will be pulling the engine apart today, So I best get out to the garage and get on with it.

 

I will update when I have some news later.

Andy.

  • Replies 15
  • Created
  • Last Reply
Posted

Blimey, looks like that's going to keep you busy for a while, hope it hasn't caused too much collateral damage.

If it's any consolation, your car looked great on track beforehand! I notice also that you run it without the rear window and roll bar cover....saving weight?

Posted

Andy, thats real S##t. I suspect the big end has gone and thrown a rod out the side of the block as you can see. If i can help in any way let me know.

 

Rimmer Brothers are doing some take off ( brand new stripped ) blocks at a relativly reasonable price.

 

#1 on here

 

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID000083

 

I also know where you can get a brand new OE crank at a reasonable price hopefully.

Posted

Gutted for you. What a bloody shame.

 

I hope you can salvage something from it. Who built the bottom end, dare I ask?

Posted

Well everything is F**KED, The head is a total mess, The cams are about the only thing in the engine that's survived ! sad.gif

 

I'll post some pics later, Going to have a few beers now.......

Posted

Andy, gutted for you. I have had a root around in my spares. I have a decent used block. AFAIK its a good one. You can have that FOC. I also have a brand new MS2 Head. You can have that for what i paid for it ( they are not cheap though ). It might be worth dropping your head off to Rog see if it can be salvaged? PM me if i can help?

Posted

Thanks for the offer Martin, Not sure what I'm doing yet, The head is past repair, I was amazed how bad it was when I lifted it off, Will post pics tomorrow now.

 

My 1st thought was to pick up a complete engine, preferably a 143 or 160 spec VVC and use the Emerald, I'll give you a call or PM you with some questions.

 

I'm not going the let this get to me and I plan to have it on the road within 4 weeks...... Cheers for the support guys.....

Posted

Terrible luck :(

 

Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but if you need any help building the engine I'm happy to help.

Posted

Andy, that would be your cheapest option. A low mileage EU3 160 VVC engine. With DTHTB on, which you have should make 175 ish. Ported head and your cams it will make 185 ish? Limit the revs to say 7200 and it should hold together.

Posted

Reminds me of my engine blow up - I had very nearly the same picture. In my case the rod snapped and the remaining bits of the rod tore through both sides of the block and the sump but the head was relatively undamaged (just of couple of bent valves). Best of luck getting it sorted !

Posted

I'm so sorry for you chap, bloody awful. What was the spec? Did you have recent work?

Posted

Dan - I bought the engine ready built, I don't normally do this as I like to do everything myself...... Bloody typical !

I may give you a shout when I get another lump to let you check it out ?

 

 

Here some more pics -

 

 

Dropped the under tray off and this is what I found......

 

gallery_4172_1167_98268.jpg

 

gallery_4172_1167_103252.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Pulled the head off and found total carnage !

 

gallery_4172_1167_152521.jpg

 

 

 

Didn't bode well for the head and I was right, Looks like the cams, pulleys and VVC blanking kit are the only salvageable items -

 

gallery_4172_1167_151957.jpg

 

 

 

Plan now is to pick up 160 VVC engine, throw my cams, TB's and Emerald on and get back on the road, Need to do this as cheap as possible thou

 

Thanks for the comments and support guys cheers.gif

Posted

Andy, you need to stop your Sons pocket money till he has paid for it. He does not do things by half.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Terms of Use