Engine Out - What to do - Preventative

[AJSGSE1990]

Engine isn't quite out but have almost finished the chassis and Monday going to take various suspension parts to be cleaned and prepped. Will change the PAS and alternator belts myself, leaving the timing to later. Need to sit down with the engine builder to see what we can simplify as it will be run by a MaxxECU and a Bosch electronic throttle. So all the idle control side can go and in theory also all the recirculating stuff.

So apart from belts, clutch, and thermostat what else is an obvious swap at this stage.

Thanks,

Andrew.

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (1) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (3) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (5) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (7) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (2) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (8) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (4) (Small).jpeg

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (6) (Small).jpeg

[dapinky]

An obvious (for me, and anyone else who's ever had to do it) is to change all the vacuum hoses in the engine bay, through to the inner wing vacuum storage sphere thingy.... and even through the bulkhead to the heater unit.

Just get a length of 3mm i/d silicone vacuum hose in whatever colour you fancy - 5m may be enough, but I always buy it in 10m rolls and never actually measured how much it takes to do a whole car.

Especially, the short lengths of that hose around the secondary throttle actuator - it is hidden under/behind the plenum and pretty impossible to sort the hoses with the engine in situ.

I'd also replace the IAC valve whilst I can get a good approach to the bolts holding it in - even if you don't want to change the unit, it is worth removing the 2 screws that hold it in, cleaning the holes, and fitting new stainless ones so it can be done with limited access in the future.

It's a good time to clean and lubricate the wiper motor linkage whilst the engine is out - and also check (or replace) the hidden solid brake lines.

There are probably 101 other things, but these are the obvious ones - basically, if you can see it, and get to it - then either clean, replace or paint it!

[AJSGSE1990]

An obvious (for me, and anyone else who's ever had to do it) is to change all the vacuum hoses in the engine bay, through to the inner wing vacuum storage sphere thingy.... and even through the bulkhead to the heater unit.

Understood, thanks. Vacuum hoses are definitely not one I'd thought of. IAC and all that side is likely to get binned anyway as I should no longer need them. Probably even manage to remove the exhaust recirculation side and in case it's a bit rich put in in VW mode before an MOT with the advance.

Currently looking for those pesky dampers, the smaller one does nothing, the fatter one seems to have some use left in it.

I've looked at the manual and still cannot figure out what this is:

WhatsApp Image 2026-06-07 at 13.50.57 (7) (Small).jpeg

Cheers,

Andrew.

[RonR]

When my engine was out I checked the rear engine mount, the one inside the chassis backbone and found it was split.
Worth a look for peace of mind.

[Tuga2112]

sorry if this has been mentioned, im in TLDR mode

refurbishing alternator and starter motor are imperative. its not that they fail often... its the fact both are complete hell of jobs to remove when the engine is in.... the alternator is not too bad, but the starter motor is comparable to intake plenum (possibly harder)

Dave will tell you how floral my wording of that task was when someone asked in cascle coube just a couple of weeks ago

[AJSGSE1990]

refurbishing alternator and starter motor are imperative.

Understood, so:

1. New Wosp alternator
2. Refurb starter
3. Vacuum hoses
4. chassis centre engine mount