Dico's project

[Specky]

ouch........

sorry just picking myself up as I appear to have fallen off my chair.........

are you sure....... ....are you???......

Just read it again G....

Yesterday the wash/wiper fuse blew. Today I located fuse 17, and replaced it.

A day to change a fuse........

I guess Monty's on stand-by to see why it blew.... or there's a tail to tell....

TTFN

[theelanman]

ah Id not read that correctly.......
oh well...now youve pointed it out it makes sense.....if its over 24hrs to change a fuse then yes...probably was Dico on his own

[Dico]

Less than half an hour actually . I'm getting good at this!

[Monty]

Well the beast now has BB`s rear Hi-spec coversion and new hand brake cables fitted (what a bitch to fit )

Also an in car MBC and new boost gauge

[Dico]

Took the Elan out for the first time yesterday since having the MBC fitted. I'm aware it can be considered as being a bit rough and ready using this method, but it is only a temporary measure...
I tested it at 1.25 bar and the power was very impressive. Power in 2nd gear has to be controlled with the accelerator pedal (tricky) but all other gears fine, obviously forgetting 1st. Spool up with the bigger turbo wasn't as disappointing as I feared it could be, and so long as the gears are used well.
June will be my first trackday which should prove interesting. <Move over Murph>

[Dico]

Well as some of you are aware, last weekends track day was a non-event for me. En route to the campsite the day before, whilst driving in a spirited fashion, the plenum pipe the blow-off valve is attached to came loose at one end, resulting in loss of boost. I had been boosting to around 1.3 bar (going off the gauge) for many weeks with no issues. Completely my fault as I had carried out a coolant change and obviously not secured the crap jubilee clip sufficiently. New Mikalor clips ordered.

Took it steady for the remainder of the journey with no issues. Went to fuel up and it cut out on me. Spent the next few hours playing/messing with anything and everything under the bonnet. Not too much you can do with one screwdriver and one allen key. No engine lights appeared whenever the engine cut out, however a paperclip test showed overboost, code 31.

To cut a very very very long story (slightly) shorter, a call to Gerald at GST and Paul from Christoper Neils, who was at the track, pointed me in the direction of the map sensor (new 3 bar). All wires and pipework were secure (checked the previous evening). Paul suggested unplugging and plugging back in the map sensor and then trying to restart, which along with turning the boost down to 1.2 bar (going off the gauge) solved all problems. Too late in the day for the track but at least all seemed ok with the car.

On returning home I decided to risk increasing the boost to 1.3 bar. First five runs went well but on the sixth the engine cut out and wouldn't restart. Unplugging then plugging the map sensor back in (and turning the boost back down to 1.2 bar) had the car running perfectly again.

The question is - Could blowing the top plenum pipe off have damaged the map sensor? As I say, runs perfectly up to 1.2 bar.

I need a brew!

[Monty]

Well we did a Block test on the Blue Beast as she was pushing a bit of coolant out of the tank, infact had to test it 3 times
1st time the fuid started to turn green
2nd time we got a large air bubble and instantly the fluid turned Yellow but the coolant over flowed and went in to the tester
3rd just to be sure, this time it only went green

Did a Compression test and all looks good

Now i remember when i had mine tested for the very 1st time and that only just turn green and turned out it was the very early stages of HG failure, so we decided to pull the head.







This only the only part of the gasket that looks suspect, but i`m not convinced


Head Cleaned


Block cleaned


Just waiting for the gasket now

[rip]

This only the only part of the gasket that looks suspect, but i`m not convinced

Me neither.

[lotusgirlmarie]

Have you thought of studding the bock and getting rid of the bolts? It will provide for a much better seal as the preasure will be better ditributed. Just a thought while your waiting.

[Monty]

Have you thought of studding the bock and getting rid of the bolts? It will provide for a much better seal as the preasure will be better ditributed. Just a thought while your waiting.

Didn`t know that would make a difference to be honest, think were just putting it down to the gasket being 17 years old and couldn`t handle the extra pressure

Depending on the weather i should start to put her back together and also fitting the Alli Rad and new fans. Fingers crossed all is good for when he goes to France on Sunday

[chris.t]

Fingers crossed all is good for when he goes to France on Sunday

yep that should give it a nice test

[dapinky]

Fingers crossed all is good for when he goes to France on Sunday

yep that should give it a nice test

I'll have my toolkit on standby

[chris.t]

Minor thread hijack, I take it you'll be bringing your normal toolkit Dave. I'll bring a few things along too.

[Dico]

Bring everything you can fit in. I may be needing it

[dapinky]

It'll be the same one which did so well on the IOM trip - with a couple of extra bits (like enough to swap a HG!!!!) - and Iain has quite a few bits ready to take in the support vehicle.

[Dico]

As a friend of mine often used to say-

"What a crock of shite!!!"

Bring ALL of your tools boys

[rip]

Sounds like Monty's got it running again.

[speed-demon]

Someone once gave me something to think about...

"Lotus spent millions of pounds and years of testing when they made that car. And you go and cock it all up with a few quids worth of extras". I didn't quite agree, but they've got a point!

[Dico]

They most certainly did. 20 plus years ago.

A few quid? £5000 and counting. Where would you draw the line at extras? AB gearcables ok?

[speed-demon]

[img] I'm 9K in two years! + The car...