Air filter disaster
Discussion
Had my Magnette zb fully serviced and inspected last week by my home town local ‘MG specialist and classic car garage’. Used the car at weekend to be greeted by a bad misfire from engine. ouldnt find anything easy or obvious to me and managed to reach my destination
steam rally. Other problems emerged as I journeyed, sticking throttle, over flowing radiator.
Couldn’t work out why the engine was misfiring after checking plugs and leads, the engine was OK starting from cold but after a couple of minutes misfire returned and I came to a halt on the road.
My lad came out to my rescue and discovered the problem. The pancake filters had been removed during the searvice work to be replaced by my oil bath filter, which didn’t fit. I told the garage to replace pancake filters, which they did. What happened was one of the pancakes had only the outer wire gauze, the inner wire they managed to not put in place, it was missing entirely. The foam section of the filter was subsequently sucked into the carb’ which of course acted like the choke was fully on. When the engine was cold this was OK as soon as it warmed up the problem emerged.
A three inch section of the foam is missing, having been digested by the carb. My question is although the car now seems to be running OK will any longer term damage been caused by the problem? I have to go to the garage today and voice my concerns. The work they performed was, imo, dreadful and expensive.
Edit to add : just checked oil in my engine and although the garage were not required to change oil, owing to running ‘on choke’ petrol has washed down the bores and diluted the oil in sump which registers well over full now.
steam rally. Other problems emerged as I journeyed, sticking throttle, over flowing radiator.
Couldn’t work out why the engine was misfiring after checking plugs and leads, the engine was OK starting from cold but after a couple of minutes misfire returned and I came to a halt on the road.
My lad came out to my rescue and discovered the problem. The pancake filters had been removed during the searvice work to be replaced by my oil bath filter, which didn’t fit. I told the garage to replace pancake filters, which they did. What happened was one of the pancakes had only the outer wire gauze, the inner wire they managed to not put in place, it was missing entirely. The foam section of the filter was subsequently sucked into the carb’ which of course acted like the choke was fully on. When the engine was cold this was OK as soon as it warmed up the problem emerged.
A three inch section of the foam is missing, having been digested by the carb. My question is although the car now seems to be running OK will any longer term damage been caused by the problem? I have to go to the garage today and voice my concerns. The work they performed was, imo, dreadful and expensive.
Edit to add : just checked oil in my engine and although the garage were not required to change oil, owing to running ‘on choke’ petrol has washed down the bores and diluted the oil in sump which registers well over full now.
Edited by crankedup on Monday 18th June 10:34
IIMSS, this proves the necessity of doing normal maintenance on classic cars, yourself.
They require far more than a modern, but repay you, even if you factor in the small investment in workshop mnaulas and a tool kit.
And add the pure satisfaction of doing it!
On this occasion I hope you dodged a bullet. Some foam, or even plastic won't cause engine damage, but drain that oil and replace, asap!
Good luck with getting any recompence from the garage!
John
They require far more than a modern, but repay you, even if you factor in the small investment in workshop mnaulas and a tool kit.
And add the pure satisfaction of doing it!
On this occasion I hope you dodged a bullet. Some foam, or even plastic won't cause engine damage, but drain that oil and replace, asap!
Good luck with getting any recompence from the garage!
John
tapkaJohnD said:
IIMSS, this proves the necessity of doing normal maintenance on classic cars, yourself.
Most of us don't have the time or facilities, even if we have the ability. Draining and disposing of oil, for example, which in itself is basic and easy, is a total PITA without a lift. I think it's more important to find a specialist who doesn't make stupid errors or ommissions. Although that said mine nearly all have done, at one time or another.
Agree about the DIY
maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
crankedup said:
Agree about the DIY
maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
I found a sloping drive helps, stick my car on ramps and hey ho, it's now sitting level. maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
PositronicRay said:
crankedup said:
Agree about the DIY
maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
I found a sloping drive helps, stick my car on ramps and hey ho, it's now sitting level. maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
crankedup said:
PositronicRay said:
crankedup said:
Agree about the DIY
maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
I found a sloping drive helps, stick my car on ramps and hey ho, it's now sitting level. maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
PositronicRay said:
crankedup said:
PositronicRay said:
crankedup said:
Agree about the DIY
maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
I found a sloping drive helps, stick my car on ramps and hey ho, it's now sitting level. maintenance route, however the axle and gearbox oil I wanted changing and to do that the car must be on axle stands and level, my driveway is sloping.
The car is back with them now for rectification including the engine oil is going to be changed for fresh oil.
When our lad has built his new garage I will be able to DIY on my car as he is installing a 4 post lift or a pit. Between us we will be able to maintain the car as required and to a good standard.
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