Post-Swap Engine Problems

[Doc Fizzix]

For what it is worth, I am betting that it came from the motor and not the turbo, my thought and experiance is that if the exhaust end seal was bad on the turbo I would think the oil would flow and cook on backside of the turbo or be blown out of the exhaust side of the turbo BUT not back into the manifold. Think of the twist that the air must goes through within the turbo before the air gets to the exhaust wheel, in order for the oil to make it back to the manifold, the oil would have to flow out through all those twist and turns, thats a hard thing to do; from rebuilding a couple turbos I find that a difficult possibility. (just my thoughts)

[Sy V]

wonder what others think, but I just can't see how you'd get such standing oil there coming from the engine (except running out thru a cracked head or such severe thing).

Hmm, that was my worst-case diagnosis too, but...

[Sy V]

Sy,

It's good to see u trying to get back on track with the engine problems, but the oil doesn't sound good, i'm sure PM could tell u more but it's possible that the oil seal has shrunk because the turbo has never been used (presume it's the one of the new engine) and hence the oil.

or since the head gasket wasn't changed on the new engine maybe that failed and oil got in to the combustuion chamber and then pushed out through the exhaust valve into the manifold All guess work

Thanks for this Jay, but I'm afraid this isn't the scenario. You're right in assuming that I'm trying to fit the previously unused (except for the 30 mile shake down run) turbo, but it has never been used in conjunction with this particular engine.

[Dico]

Sy, the engine is out of a vehicle that had rolled onto its roof. I imagine/hope this is the cause?

[Sy V]

Aah, now that would explain things, I think - thanks Dico.

[Sy V]

We've had a fairly progressive couple of days work on the Stripey re-engine saga recently.
Last Saturday we fitted the brand new and ported turbo and downpipe (after a few hours searching for the major components, only to find that they hadn't been given back to me when we rescued Stripey in bits from NW's a few weeks ago) to the 40K mile engine that I bought from Dico a while back. Further titivation and the drawing up of a battle plan completed last w/e's work.

So with renewed vigour and realising that we had to get Stripey back to my mate Bob's garage, where the work is carried out, we proceeded, on Saturday morning, to load Stripey onto my trailer (once we'd removed the track car from its usual storage residence).

Off on her travels again...


A few people have expressed their surprise at the amount of time that I've taken to remuster enthusiasm for this job. Well, here's a picture of what has welcomed me every time I entered my garage in the ensuing weeks - just as NW's left it before I rescued it back...



But, I'm really pleased with the amount of progress that we've made this weekend. The remnants of the alleged 'new engine' are now out of the car...



...and the 40K miler has been adorned with all its ancillaries and is bolted into position in the engine bay, awaiting a connection frenzy, next weekend. Stand-by for the "Where does this go?" questions, because we're picking up somebody else's dismantling job and, unlike when we did it, nothing's labeled!

[Paul.P]

Great to have you back Sy , sure it'll be fine this time mate

[ailwyn]

Sy,

Great news, you'll have her back on the road before you know it.

A.

[Doug]

nice trailer

yikes for the look of that engine bay -- makes you want to grab some pints and put it of for a week or two . . .

[Sy V]

Doug

I'm really pleased with the trailer, it accommodates the Elan nicely and tows very well.

The picture of the remnants is pretty demoralising, but history now. And, given the fact that I plan to refurbish the new engine and install it slow time. we've just dropped the 40K miler in without much bay preparation - that'll get done during the next swap - I just want a car to enjoy for the summer!

[muley]

Doug

I'm really pleased with the trailer, it accommodates the Elan nicely and tows very well.

The picture of the remnants is pretty demoralising, but history now. And, given the fact that I plan to refurbish the new engine and install it slow time. we've just dropped the 40K miler in without much bay preparation - that'll get done during the next swap - I just want a car to enjoy for the summer!

Good luck with the next steps ...

Jim

[Rambo]

Sy, the engine is out of a vehicle that had rolled onto its roof. I imagine/hope this is the cause?

If it's the one I think it is the 40k engine ex Dico came, I believe, from MikeI's pacific blue Elan (formerly Alan's - BoyNamed Su) which he rolled at low speed and wrote off. The engine was a good one before the car's untimely death.

Good luck with the rebuild Sy

Mark

[Sy V]

Car is now running properly...MOT Friday.

What's the betting it fails (just to get another kick in the gonads) on something bloody trivial like the rear fog light not being the correct wattage etc...

[DaveT]

Good to hear of the progress Sy. Make sure your washer jets are working after all the work. My MOT man noted that the bottle was empty and filled it for me. Then tested it whilst the roof was down and got soaked hee hee!!!!

[Monty]

Nice one Sy

So which engine did u fit in the end? Was it a Dico special

At least stripey is back on the road and now i bet u`r ready to start on the flying cat project

[Sy V]

Yep

I'm using Dico's old engine. The recent crap running was down to me forgetting that there are actually two earth leads in the area of the inlet manifold (next to the PAS reservoir), I'd only connected one.
And, strangely the TPS needed adjusting as the idle RPM was way to high.

Flying Cat...oh yeah, I've got another Elan, haven't I...now, where did I leave that?