Discussion
Turns out the ex isn't the only retard around here 
Started to drive to the garage this morning to fix the clutch and got to the end of the road when the engine started running very rough and about 5/600 rpm took it back to the drive and noticed that gasses were only coming from one exhaust, and some fluid. Lots of fluid. Turned off the engine and poked about to find that I had knocked off the little hose that connects to a block along with a big hose underneath the drivers side air box.
So I'm guessing that I lost a lot of coolant and maybe blown a head gasket? How bad does this look? Full engine rebuild again?
Started to drive to the garage this morning to fix the clutch and got to the end of the road when the engine started running very rough and about 5/600 rpm took it back to the drive and noticed that gasses were only coming from one exhaust, and some fluid. Lots of fluid. Turned off the engine and poked about to find that I had knocked off the little hose that connects to a block along with a big hose underneath the drivers side air box.
So I'm guessing that I lost a lot of coolant and maybe blown a head gasket? How bad does this look? Full engine rebuild again?
No coolant pipes connect to the air boxes, I think the pipe from the block is a breather, big one I would need to see what you mean?
where abouts were you working on the car, if it was the drivers side down the back of the block near the chlutch bleed nipple well that is where the Lmabda sensor plugs are, you could have disturbed one, if you washed it you could just have wet coil packs, head gasket would normally go for two reasons, age and/or huge overheating.
where abouts were you working on the car, if it was the drivers side down the back of the block near the chlutch bleed nipple well that is where the Lmabda sensor plugs are, you could have disturbed one, if you washed it you could just have wet coil packs, head gasket would normally go for two reasons, age and/or huge overheating.
Bit more info and a couple of pics:
Green hose was one that was knocked off.
That's the fluid after pushing it back into the space. The coolant level is down in the coolant tank. It's still got some in but it is low. It was coming out of the exhaust that was blowing too. Engine wasn't overheating either. Just coincidence with the breather hose or did the ecu detect something and start compensating?
Any other ways for coolant to get into the exhausts other than head gasket failure?
Green hose was one that was knocked off.
That's the fluid after pushing it back into the space. The coolant level is down in the coolant tank. It's still got some in but it is low. It was coming out of the exhaust that was blowing too. Engine wasn't overheating either. Just coincidence with the breather hose or did the ecu detect something and start compensating?
Any other ways for coolant to get into the exhausts other than head gasket failure?
The green hose is the vacuum purge line for the fuel vapour recovery carbon cannister and running without it won't have caused a problem with the cooling system, so I think its safe to say that is coincidental.
You didn't have a spider up the exhaust and hose that your ex could get to did you?
Edit for spelunking
You didn't have a spider up the exhaust and hose that your ex could get to did you?
Edit for spelunking
Edited by Tanguero on Tuesday 15th November 10:24
How do you know gasses weren't coming out the other bank? Just because there was no water vapor or steam from the tailpipe? They all do that. Even if one bank had stopped firing the engine would still move air as it is just an air pump. Mine steams from one, then the other, then both then none. 
The side you have an issue with knocking pipes off is not the side where you have fluid leak from the exhaust pipe.
That could well just be condensation from the exhaust, there may be a small hole there and I'll put money on it being the lowest part of the system
You cooling system could have an air lock and hence what the level has dropped.
PS check that is coolant and not fuel as it's close to the fuel pump and the hoses that perish.
I'd do the following.
Park the car on a level surface, check oil and coolant and top up to a known level.
Start and warm up, as soon as it's started go and feel the exhaust pipes on both banks at the front of the engine (careful as these will probably be VERY hot). Both warm (good) one bank cold (bad stop the engine)
Carefully monitor the engine coolant temp as it warms up and also watch for any steam from the header tank.
Once the fans have turned on for the first time stop the engine.
After 5 mins check the oil level.
Leave the car for 30 mins to allow the cooling system to cool and de-pressurise.
Check the coolant level.
If all is ok repeat but go for a short drive.
The side you have an issue with knocking pipes off is not the side where you have fluid leak from the exhaust pipe.
That could well just be condensation from the exhaust, there may be a small hole there and I'll put money on it being the lowest part of the system
You cooling system could have an air lock and hence what the level has dropped.
PS check that is coolant and not fuel as it's close to the fuel pump and the hoses that perish.
I'd do the following.
Park the car on a level surface, check oil and coolant and top up to a known level.
Start and warm up, as soon as it's started go and feel the exhaust pipes on both banks at the front of the engine (careful as these will probably be VERY hot). Both warm (good) one bank cold (bad stop the engine)
Carefully monitor the engine coolant temp as it warms up and also watch for any steam from the header tank.
Once the fans have turned on for the first time stop the engine.
After 5 mins check the oil level.
Leave the car for 30 mins to allow the cooling system to cool and de-pressurise.
Check the coolant level.
If all is ok repeat but go for a short drive.
Very good point. I didn't check the other exhaust to see if it was blowing hot gasses still so it could well have been and the steam coming from the other just due to the amount of fluid in the exhaust. I think there must have been about half a litre of fluid on the ground looking at the other patches so unless someone emptied something into my exhaust it is more likely to be coming from the engine. There really was far too much to be just condensation. It had no odour and tasted ever so slightly sweet on the tip of my tongue. The puddle that collected underneath the exhaust also looked to have a green tint to it too.
Well, its going into Elmwood TVR (previously TVRFix) for a bit of investigation as it was going to go there for the clutch anyway...
Well, its going into Elmwood TVR (previously TVRFix) for a bit of investigation as it was going to go there for the clutch anyway...
Jabbah said:
Very good point. I didn't check the other exhaust to see if it was blowing hot gasses still so it could well have been and the steam coming from the other just due to the amount of fluid in the exhaust. I think there must have been about half a litre of fluid on the ground looking at the other patches so unless someone emptied something into my exhaust it is more likely to be coming from the engine. There really was far too much to be just condensation. It had no odour and tasted ever so slightly sweet on the tip of my tongue. The puddle that collected underneath the exhaust also looked to have a green tint to it too.
Well, its going into Elmwood TVR (previously TVRFix) for a bit of investigation as it was going to go there for the clutch anyway...
Scrap what I said about checking things, that's a blown HG then. Well, its going into Elmwood TVR (previously TVRFix) for a bit of investigation as it was going to go there for the clutch anyway...
Jabbah said:
Oh well, what kind of job is it to replace the head gasket, engine out? I guess at least it wasn't running long like that so hopefully no extra damage other than the HG.
A garage will always pull the engine if they do the work and replace both gaskets not just the blown one.As per my question above, havent you just bought the car? If you did and from a garage, would you not have some recourse to them if it is major work/cost?
Yeah, bit of confusion around the advert. Whilst it was the RP show car it wasn't owned by RP and it was a private sale so no implied warranty. I bought it knowing that it was a private sale and as such no warranty.
The guy I bought it off has said he will do everything he can to help though and there is a chance I can get it shipped up there reasonably cheaply. Have just asked Elmwood TVR to do an investigation now and will see what they say...
The guy I bought it off has said he will do everything he can to help though and there is a chance I can get it shipped up there reasonably cheaply. Have just asked Elmwood TVR to do an investigation now and will see what they say...
Jabbah said:
Yeah, bit of confusion around the advert. Whilst it was the RP show car it wasn't owned by RP and it was a private sale so no implied warranty. I bought it knowing that it was a private sale and as such no warranty.
The guy I bought it off has said he will do everything he can to help though and there is a chance I can get it shipped up there reasonably cheaply. Have just asked Elmwood TVR to do an investigation now and will see what they say...
Bugger.The guy I bought it off has said he will do everything he can to help though and there is a chance I can get it shipped up there reasonably cheaply. Have just asked Elmwood TVR to do an investigation now and will see what they say...
Jabbah said:
Yeah, bit of confusion around the advert. Whilst it was the RP show car it wasn't owned by RP and it was a private sale so no implied warranty. I bought it knowing that it was a private sale and as such no warranty.
The guy I bought it off has said he will do everything he can to help though and there is a chance I can get it shipped up there reasonably cheaply. Have just asked Elmwood TVR to do an investigation now and will see what they say...
If the diagnosis is the HG, APM are in Liphook and much nearer then RP. Andy built/maintains the yellow Cerb racers 4.7 AJP and in most peoples opinion he's the best AJP man around, so send it to him instead.The guy I bought it off has said he will do everything he can to help though and there is a chance I can get it shipped up there reasonably cheaply. Have just asked Elmwood TVR to do an investigation now and will see what they say...
You can also pop down quite easily to see how its progressing and and have a good chat with Andy as it goes....
S
Gassing Station | Cerbera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff