In case you were wondering............
In case you were wondering............
Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
I've got to the bottom of the poor idle/running problems. It was the rotor arm and distributor cap that needed replacing.

One other thing, has anyone replaced the valve stems with them 'insitu' with one of those special tools? My wedge blows a bit of blue smoke when you start it after being left for a while (then again when it was serviced it has 5w-40 oil put in it which I think maybe a bit too thin).

chassis 33

6,194 posts

311 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
...compressed air down the spart plug hole works a treat for holding valves up while compressing valves to change stem seals!!! Just ask anyone who's had the joy of rallying an A-series!

Regards
Iain

leorest

2,346 posts

268 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
As I can't think of any detrimental effects I would just leave it as is. At the next oil change swap to your preferred viscosity/make and see what happens. Till then just enjoy it and don't leave it "for a while" in between runs.
Leo

briantvr350

72 posts

283 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
Si,

like the other replies, don't worry to much about the odd bit of blue smoke when she's been stood a while. Better still use it more often then you don't get the smoke!

The oil seals which look like rubber tap washers are IMHO a waste of time. (asbestos suit at the ready!)

However, it is possible to have the valve guides machined and fit the later type seals which look a much better bet, the next time I take the engine down this is what I'll have done.

Rimmers do both types of seal, the "new" type, part no ERR1782, were fitted 1993 onwards with the "stepped" valve guides to all 16 valves (as opposed to the "tap washer" type which is only fitted to the inlet!

as Leo says, oil may be a little thin (don't want to start another oil tread!), can't see it doing any real harm, keep an eye on the level and above all enjoy driving the thing.

Regards,

Brian (and a Red 350i)

adam quantrill

11,679 posts

271 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
I agree. Also don't bother fitting the seals, when they disintegrate they cause more trouble than they are worth...

leorest

2,346 posts

268 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
So it looks like the collective wisdom is....



Foot down matey!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Monday 24th July 2006
quotequote all
Cheers guys. Interesting thing is since having the rotor arm replaced it doesn't seem to smoke much at all. Strange...

toltec

7,179 posts

252 months

Tuesday 25th July 2006
quotequote all
Glad to hear it is sorted. Out of interest did you get the Land Rover Rotor and cap or the pattern ones?