Exhaust Manifold Gasket... Really an engine out job?
Discussion
Just been re-reading through her paper work and an advisory states there was a slight manifold leak, temporarily fixed with liquid metal; it states gasket replacement is "an engine out job" - looking at it, it does seem mighty tight (what isn't?) - but engine out; really ? All the way ?
There is also a statement of an Engine Rear Main Oil Seal leak (Engine Out Job) - but in two weeks in the garage no fluids have escaped...
If I do need to have the engine out, what else should I get done? - sounds very expensive
Thanks
Zach
There is also a statement of an Engine Rear Main Oil Seal leak (Engine Out Job) - but in two weeks in the garage no fluids have escaped...
If I do need to have the engine out, what else should I get done? - sounds very expensive
Thanks
Zach
I'd say not. I've had both gaskets replaced and the costs involved were quite low and certainly wouldnt cover the engine being taken out.
On that rear seal, I had that diagnosed on my chim, but on closer inspection the oil was weeping out under the rear of the valley gasket then running down the block. IIRC it still doesnt need the engine out to fix that seal, but the gearbox does need to be dropped.
Hopefully someone who knows more will be along shortly with advice.
On that rear seal, I had that diagnosed on my chim, but on closer inspection the oil was weeping out under the rear of the valley gasket then running down the block. IIRC it still doesnt need the engine out to fix that seal, but the gearbox does need to be dropped.
Hopefully someone who knows more will be along shortly with advice.
h of a job but with patience and care you can do it.Exhaust manifolds can be done with the engine in situ.
Its a mare of a job, if you do it make sure the first bolt you put back in is the second from the front, and while your there replace the bolts with the ones from ACT performance. Makes life so much easier in the future.
Happy spannering
Its a mare of a job, if you do it make sure the first bolt you put back in is the second from the front, and while your there replace the bolts with the ones from ACT performance. Makes life so much easier in the future.
Happy spannering
Jon Brown said:
Exhaust manifolds can be done with the engine in situ.
Its a mare of a job, if you do it make sure the first bolt you put back in is the second from the front, and while your there replace the bolts with the ones from ACT performance. Makes life so much easier in the future.
Happy spannering
Agreed. My TVR guy took my manifolds off for some welding at the 4>1 unions, engine was definitely still there when he had them off. He DID, much to his surprise, have to take the heads off though - I had seven manifold bolts locked into place. Steel bolts, steel manifolds, aluminium heads, laws of heat in metals - not a happy mix.Its a mare of a job, if you do it make sure the first bolt you put back in is the second from the front, and while your there replace the bolts with the ones from ACT performance. Makes life so much easier in the future.
Happy spannering
Before you put the bolts back, get some advice on what to put on them - copper grease, for example? Then they will com out easier next time.
Of course, if you have the heads off to do the valley gasket, it would be a shame not to inspect the cam for wear etc.....
Make sure your man-maths calculator is safely locked away.
Nice to know chaps, really appreciated.
I am taking her along to my local indy next week (the owner used to have a TVR, and will be taking the lead) just to get it up on ramp, have a poke about and check / replace gearbox & diff oil - I'll see how he answers the same questions
I'm dreading this to be honest... you never really know what you have bought until it's up high!
I am taking her along to my local indy next week (the owner used to have a TVR, and will be taking the lead) just to get it up on ramp, have a poke about and check / replace gearbox & diff oil - I'll see how he answers the same questions
I'm dreading this to be honest... you never really know what you have bought until it's up high!
QBee said:
Whereabouts are you in the south east? There may be a TVR specialist near you, or a knowledgeable PHer.
I'm just outside of Redhill, I've been told about a monthly meet near East Grinstead which, work, weather and child permitting, I'll pop into next month 
Just feeling my way at the moment; don't want to instantly become the n00b with too many questions! - But equally I don't want to be taken for a ride regarding work I can't do, or would rather not do (which could be most of it!) - I'm hoping to get my niggles out of the way and tidy up the old girl a bit; kind of find a plateau - from there I may have something to contribute, I would love to see more chims and their owners experiences and compare rattles, squeaks and whines.
I'm hoping for a fabulous summer where I can get my new old lady introduced to my first old lady and take advantage of both... http://www.wastedspace.co.uk/cms/wp-content/upload...
Ask away. Elope will be happy to answer and will enjoy your enthusiasm. This PH forum is the third best thing about TVRs, after driving the cars, and the lovely crowd of keen owners. Get involved.
If you want a fast introduction to TVRs
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This is the regular London Tunnels Run. Early on Sunday 12th May, 100+ TVRs meet up and drive around the tunnels, bridges and sights of central London, ending up at Brooklands on TVR Clubs Day, where there will be about 600 TVRs
Second event, though chronologically first
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Again, several hundred TVRs on show in Derbyshire.
If you want a fast introduction to TVRs
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This is the regular London Tunnels Run. Early on Sunday 12th May, 100+ TVRs meet up and drive around the tunnels, bridges and sights of central London, ending up at Brooklands on TVR Clubs Day, where there will be about 600 TVRs
Second event, though chronologically first
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Again, several hundred TVRs on show in Derbyshire.
mine cracked there aswell i cut them open and welded them back up! took starter out to get one side off the other was ok no engine out !
SILICONEKID350HP said:
I learned the hard way ! took mine off three times thinking the gaskets were leaking 
In the end i took V8D`s advice and filled manifolds with water ,guess what they both leaked on the welds where the four meets one .
So that was a waste of blood sweat and tears
In the end i took V8D`s advice and filled manifolds with water ,guess what they both leaked on the welds where the four meets one .So that was a waste of blood sweat and tears
SILICONEKID350HP said:
I learned the hard way ! took mine off three times thinking the gaskets were leaking In the end i took V8D`s advice and filled manifolds with water ,guess what they both leaked on the welds where the four meets one .
So that was a waste of blood sweat and tears
ooooh! I wonder if that's something I could spot with an IR camera... In the end i took V8D`s advice and filled manifolds with water ,guess what they both leaked on the welds where the four meets one .So that was a waste of blood sweat and tears
zacherynuk said:
ooooh! I wonder if that's something I could spot with an IR camera...
Use a length of thin plastic tube (about 3-5 mm bore), start the engine, hold one end of the tube to your ear and move the other end around the 4>1 union. You will hear if you ave a leak there. Mine did, and I heard the leaks.QBee said:
Use a length of thin plastic tube (about 3-5 mm bore), start the engine, hold one end of the tube to your ear and move the other end around the 4>1 union. You will hear if you ave a leak there. Mine did, and I heard the leaks.
Like a stethoscope - makes sense .. but is it really obvious? a puffing or a hissing?zacherynuk said:
Like a stethoscope - makes sense .. but is it really obvious? a puffing or a hissing?
Yep a stethoscope with hose pipe on the end. Very clear where the leakis coming from although you can't get it totally around the 4 into 1 collector. That said as Daz mentioned when you take it off to change the gasket fill it with water and all becomes clear!!!D
Trust me, it works. If you can put a bit of metal tube in the far end then you won't melt the plastic on the hot manifold.
This gadget was exactly what my TVR specialist used to demonstrate to me why he needed to take my manifolds off, cut them open, weld the union and seal them up again. Welding cost £100. New manifolds.......how many arms and legs do you have spare? Remember, this is a common fault, so any second hand ones may well already have the same fault.
zacherynuk said:
QBee said:
Use a length of thin plastic tube (about 3-5 mm bore), start the engine, hold one end of the tube to your ear and move the other end around the 4>1 union. You will hear if you ave a leak there. Mine did, and I heard the leaks.
Like a stethoscope - makes sense .. but is it really obvious? a puffing or a hissing?This gadget was exactly what my TVR specialist used to demonstrate to me why he needed to take my manifolds off, cut them open, weld the union and seal them up again. Welding cost £100. New manifolds.......how many arms and legs do you have spare? Remember, this is a common fault, so any second hand ones may well already have the same fault.
QBee said:
Trust me, it works. If you can put a bit of metal tube in the far end then you won't melt the plastic on the hot manifold.
This gadget was exactly what my TVR specialist used to demonstrate to me why he needed to take my manifolds off, cut them open, weld the union and seal them up again. Welding cost £100. New manifolds.......how many arms and legs do you have spare? Remember, this is a common fault, so any second hand ones may well already have the same fault.
Very good information, thank you ; I have welder friends (who curse my powder coatings) I'm gonna have a play tomorrow and see what I hear... errrThis gadget was exactly what my TVR specialist used to demonstrate to me why he needed to take my manifolds off, cut them open, weld the union and seal them up again. Welding cost £100. New manifolds.......how many arms and legs do you have spare? Remember, this is a common fault, so any second hand ones may well already have the same fault.
Beer tally QBee +1
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