MR2 Roadster - A Tale Of Woe, Maybe...
Discussion
Martin350 said:
I think I will try and measure the clearance from piston to head to find out if the piece of metal found on top of the piston is thick enough for contact to be made.
Not really understanding this bit, it's pretty obvious what's happened and irrelevant to going forward, why measure it? It'll probably be circa .7mm.
I was just going to post about that!
I just wanted to be sure that the knocking I was hearing was definitely the small piece of metal found on the piston.
But yes, I agree that it does appear to be quite obvious.
And you're right, the old head gasket thickness was almost exactly 0.7mm.
I've got a new head gasket set and bolts and I'm going to get it back together and see what happens.
Unfortunately I've been super busy all last week and this weekend so it will probably be into next week by the time I get to do any more with it, very frustrating!
Evoluzione said:
Martin350 said:
I think I will try and measure the clearance from piston to head to find out if the piece of metal found on top of the piston is thick enough for contact to be made.
Not really understanding this bit, it's pretty obvious what's happened and irrelevant to going forward, why measure it? It'll probably be circa .7mm.But yes, I agree that it does appear to be quite obvious.
And you're right, the old head gasket thickness was almost exactly 0.7mm.
I've got a new head gasket set and bolts and I'm going to get it back together and see what happens.
Unfortunately I've been super busy all last week and this weekend so it will probably be into next week by the time I get to do any more with it, very frustrating!
Just thought I'd update and say where I am with this.
I've had very little free time recently, and drank quite a lot over the bank holiday, but I've got a bit done the last few evenings.
The piston is back in, the sump, cylinder head, camshafts, injectors & fuel rail, inlet manifold and the timing chain are back on.
Still got the throttle body, air inlet pipes, timing cover and tensioner, water pump, alternator, ignition coils, engine mounts, exhaust manifold, wiring and crank pulley to fit before I can turn the key.
I'm hoping to get the engine started this weekend and see what happens!
It'll either be
or 
I've had very little free time recently, and drank quite a lot over the bank holiday, but I've got a bit done the last few evenings.
The piston is back in, the sump, cylinder head, camshafts, injectors & fuel rail, inlet manifold and the timing chain are back on.
Still got the throttle body, air inlet pipes, timing cover and tensioner, water pump, alternator, ignition coils, engine mounts, exhaust manifold, wiring and crank pulley to fit before I can turn the key.
I'm hoping to get the engine started this weekend and see what happens!
It'll either be
or Haha, I hardly think this is the most exciting reader's cars thread, but thanks anyway!
Well, I got it bodged together with the absolute minimum to get it started up (I didn't want to get everything back on only to find it was a waste of time), so no water pump or water, no alternator or belt, and the exhaust not properly fitted etc. so I couldn't run it for long, but it started and....
..... no knocking!!
But, not so quick with the
There was quite a bit of smoke from the exhaust.
As I've not run it for long, maybe about a minute in total of three runs, I'm not sure if it's the engine burning off oil I put in the bore and over the piston rings etc. before fitting them, as well as brake cleaner and stuff inside the exhaust manifold, or it's burning oil where I've disturbed one set of piston rings. I guess I'll have to wait and see about that.
Also, I've got a huge water leak from the timing cover, so I guess that will have to come back off to be re-sealed (there's no gasket, only sealant) but that isn't too much of a problem.
So, light at the end of the tunnel, I'm hoping to have it on the road and roof down next week, just as the hot weather hits the south east!
And I'm sorry, I've got an ancient mobile phone and couldn't video the first start up, otherwise I would have done.
I just want to get it out of the garage, give it the clean of it's life, and drive it!
Well, I got it bodged together with the absolute minimum to get it started up (I didn't want to get everything back on only to find it was a waste of time), so no water pump or water, no alternator or belt, and the exhaust not properly fitted etc. so I couldn't run it for long, but it started and....
..... no knocking!!
But, not so quick with the
There was quite a bit of smoke from the exhaust.
As I've not run it for long, maybe about a minute in total of three runs, I'm not sure if it's the engine burning off oil I put in the bore and over the piston rings etc. before fitting them, as well as brake cleaner and stuff inside the exhaust manifold, or it's burning oil where I've disturbed one set of piston rings. I guess I'll have to wait and see about that.
Also, I've got a huge water leak from the timing cover, so I guess that will have to come back off to be re-sealed (there's no gasket, only sealant) but that isn't too much of a problem.
So, light at the end of the tunnel, I'm hoping to have it on the road and roof down next week, just as the hot weather hits the south east!
And I'm sorry, I've got an ancient mobile phone and couldn't video the first start up, otherwise I would have done.
I just want to get it out of the garage, give it the clean of it's life, and drive it!
Hi.
Well, with the odd hour or so here and there, I have taken the timing cover back off and found the cause of the water leak.
It was totally my fault!
The water pump has different length bolts and I got them muddled up, which meant that one of the longer ones bottomed out on the block behind the cover and instead of sealing the cover was pushing it away from the block. Silly me, a bit embarrassing really!
It also meant that when I put water in it quite a lot of it went into the sump, so the oil, and filter needed changing again!
Anyway, that is sorted, the timing cover and block have been re-cleaned and refitted along with the water pump and left over night for the sealant to cure.
This afternoon I put water in and no more leaks so far, although I still need to refit the cam cover, chain tensioner, crank pulley, breather pipes and a few electrical bits to start it up again, but I've had a few beers so leaving the spanners alone for this afternoon.
I'm hoping to have it all back together one evening this coming week. If not I've got the week after off work so will have plenty of tinkering time then, although the 350Z also needs some attention, but that's another story!
Well, with the odd hour or so here and there, I have taken the timing cover back off and found the cause of the water leak.
It was totally my fault!
The water pump has different length bolts and I got them muddled up, which meant that one of the longer ones bottomed out on the block behind the cover and instead of sealing the cover was pushing it away from the block. Silly me, a bit embarrassing really!
It also meant that when I put water in it quite a lot of it went into the sump, so the oil, and filter needed changing again!
Anyway, that is sorted, the timing cover and block have been re-cleaned and refitted along with the water pump and left over night for the sealant to cure.
This afternoon I put water in and no more leaks so far, although I still need to refit the cam cover, chain tensioner, crank pulley, breather pipes and a few electrical bits to start it up again, but I've had a few beers so leaving the spanners alone for this afternoon.
I'm hoping to have it all back together one evening this coming week. If not I've got the week after off work so will have plenty of tinkering time then, although the 350Z also needs some attention, but that's another story!
I've been tinkering with my own cars for about 25 years, starting with much simpler cars like Minis, Escorts, Capris etc.
It's just a matter of practice and a bit of confidence, it does seem daunting at first, but as seen above I still make mistakes!
I am on 350Z-UK.com but very rarely go on there. It is a good site though, lots of info and some good sources for parts.
Your missus has impeccable taste!
And thanks!
It's just a matter of practice and a bit of confidence, it does seem daunting at first, but as seen above I still make mistakes!
I am on 350Z-UK.com but very rarely go on there. It is a good site though, lots of info and some good sources for parts.
Your missus has impeccable taste!
And thanks!
Update time!
I had a few hours on it tonight and it all came together much quicker than I expected.
It only bloomin' jolly well goes!
After a slightly worrying ten minutes or so of heavy smoking and burning oily smells from the inside and outside of the exhaust it all cleared, water level stabilised, temperature came up but didn't go too high. I've only driven it about five miles (I was running late to meet up with some mates) and it all seems good!
I'm going to check fluid levels and give it another oil and filter change if necessary (remembering it has had water in the oil due to my error) and if all is well I should be able to start using it in the next couple of days.
I've not had the hardtop off yet so I'm keen to check the condition of the hood and get the roof down when we get some sunshine.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement, it really is appreciated, and I'll let you know how it goes from here.
I had a few hours on it tonight and it all came together much quicker than I expected.
It only bloomin' jolly well goes!
After a slightly worrying ten minutes or so of heavy smoking and burning oily smells from the inside and outside of the exhaust it all cleared, water level stabilised, temperature came up but didn't go too high. I've only driven it about five miles (I was running late to meet up with some mates) and it all seems good!
I'm going to check fluid levels and give it another oil and filter change if necessary (remembering it has had water in the oil due to my error) and if all is well I should be able to start using it in the next couple of days.
I've not had the hardtop off yet so I'm keen to check the condition of the hood and get the roof down when we get some sunshine.
Thanks for all the words of encouragement, it really is appreciated, and I'll let you know how it goes from here.
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