Leaky Oil Cooler - Take to Le Mans or not?
Discussion
Cerb is in the garage at the mo having a couple of other things done and there is an oil leak from somewhere around the oil cooler. They can't tell exactly where it is coming from though. I think there has been a bit of a leak from there for a while but hard to tell as the parking space has a few patches of oil already. Oil usage hasn't been particularly heavy.
They don't have time to fix it before Le Mans, so the question is whether to take it and check the oil every stop at services, or take the 350z. Heart says take the Cerb and the usual AA recovery, brain says 350z still with AA. Although 350z hasn't been driven for a couple of months either and drinks oil anyway...
They don't have time to fix it before Le Mans, so the question is whether to take it and check the oil every stop at services, or take the 350z. Heart says take the Cerb and the usual AA recovery, brain says 350z still with AA. Although 350z hasn't been driven for a couple of months either and drinks oil anyway...
I tried to fix a very similar Oil Cooler oil leak a few days before heading to TVR NL CC Zolder. I failed and as a result had no car to take. Very disappointing indeed.
The leak was just a few drips while parked up, rather than a trail, so not a big track risk. I should have just left it and gone anyway.
The leak was just a few drips while parked up, rather than a trail, so not a big track risk. I should have just left it and gone anyway.
From first hand experience I wouldn't advise it.
I went to Le Mans with mine when I didn't notice the cooler was leaking (new purchase to me back then).
When I had to brake heavily after an overtake I had to apply 1/4 of lock to keep the thing in a straight line! The oil had dribbled down and then sprayed onto the disc and caliper!
If you take it, try not to need to do an emergency stop or if you do be prepared for it!
I went to Le Mans with mine when I didn't notice the cooler was leaking (new purchase to me back then).
When I had to brake heavily after an overtake I had to apply 1/4 of lock to keep the thing in a straight line! The oil had dribbled down and then sprayed onto the disc and caliper!
If you take it, try not to need to do an emergency stop or if you do be prepared for it!
I would take it but make sure I monitored the situation and had the requisite breakdown cover - RAC usually dispatch a UK based breakdown company called Brit Assist to Le Mans for the weekend. They helped me with an overheating issue in the Tuscan and a door control switch issue in the Cerb.
I do feel your pain though. My Cerb went in for a service a couple of weeks ago and was due back last week. It had a slight stutter on heavy acceleration which I asked them to sort and seems to have led to a whole can of worms being opened!
They haven't been able to balance the throttle bodies and have been trying all sorts to get it sorted. Yesterday new coil packs fitted. Waiting for an update today and have everything crossed that it's running properly as I still need to get it MoT'd and apply my livery before the off on Thursday at silly o'clock.
I do feel your pain though. My Cerb went in for a service a couple of weeks ago and was due back last week. It had a slight stutter on heavy acceleration which I asked them to sort and seems to have led to a whole can of worms being opened!
They haven't been able to balance the throttle bodies and have been trying all sorts to get it sorted. Yesterday new coil packs fitted. Waiting for an update today and have everything crossed that it's running properly as I still need to get it MoT'd and apply my livery before the off on Thursday at silly o'clock.
ridds said:
When I had to brake heavily after an overtake I had to apply 1/4 of lock to keep the thing in a straight line! The oil had dribbled down and then sprayed onto the disc and caliper!
If you take it, try not to need to do an emergency stop or if you do be prepared for it!
First thing I asked the garage was if the oil was getting on the brake disc. They said not and that the only evidence is on the lower wishbone but when going at 130kmh for a couple of hours the air flow is likely to cause at least some to get there. I'll keep an eye on it and take some disc cleaner. I shall keep your experience in mind though and resist the urge for any antics.If you take it, try not to need to do an emergency stop or if you do be prepared for it!
Robscim said:
Mine is burning a bit of oil as the new engine beds in (its running on cheap oil) so feel free to give me a shout if you need some more oil!!!
I know which one I would take - you'll always remember the trip in the Cerbera, you won't in the Nissan!!!
See you there!!!
Rob
Thanks Rob! Yep, this will be the 3rd time in the Cerb so would regret not taking it again. I'll be in Tetre Rouge camp site, and the Cerb will be hard to miss sporting an IrnBru / Gulf theme this year I know which one I would take - you'll always remember the trip in the Cerbera, you won't in the Nissan!!!
See you there!!!
Rob
Give me a shout if you're up that way and stop for a couple of beers!WhyTwo said:
I do feel your pain though. My Cerb went in for a service a couple of weeks ago and was due back last week. It had a slight stutter on heavy acceleration which I asked them to sort and seems to have led to a whole can of worms being opened!
They haven't been able to balance the throttle bodies and have been trying all sorts to get it sorted. Yesterday new coil packs fitted. Waiting for an update today and have everything crossed that it's running properly as I still need to get it MoT'd and apply my livery before the off on Thursday at silly o'clock.
I've got a hesitation around 2-3krpm, had asked Elmwood to look into it and balance the throttles for me too. Unfortunately the main TVR guy was out of commision for a while so couldn't be looked at. Although considering your issues, might not have been a bad thing. Good luck chap, hope it's all sorted for Thursday!They haven't been able to balance the throttle bodies and have been trying all sorts to get it sorted. Yesterday new coil packs fitted. Waiting for an update today and have everything crossed that it's running properly as I still need to get it MoT'd and apply my livery before the off on Thursday at silly o'clock.
Robscim said:
Mine is burning a bit of oil as the new engine beds in (its running on cheap oil)
Rob
I could have typed that word for friggin word lolRob
I'm not even taking mine now, not enough miles under the wheels since I've had it back (and don't think the boot would hold enough oil for me to get there and back!) so jumped ship to pax in a Corvette, although that does mean I'm now going to be permanently drunk from Thursday evening to Sunday night.
FUBAR said:
Robscim said:
Mine is burning a bit of oil as the new engine beds in (its running on cheap oil)
Rob
I could have typed that word for friggin word lolRob
I'm not even taking mine now, not enough miles under the wheels since I've had it back (and don't think the boot would hold enough oil for me to get there and back!) so jumped ship to pax in a Corvette, although that does mean I'm now going to be permanently drunk from Thursday evening to Sunday night.
Jabbah - thanks for the kind offer! I may bump into you on the Friday which is our normal day for getting around (before the odd beer or two on Friday night in town!!).
You'll spot me in my blue cerbera - E5 CAB - think taxi!!!
Safe journey to all!
Cheers
Rob
Robscim said:
WHAT?? That's a shame - I recon the journey can only do mine good (or break it in the process!!).
Its probably what mine needs. Paul said it needed another 1000 miles on the cheap oil, and the 35 mile round trip to work is going to take all summer lol. Only had it back a week. If Id had it back 2 weeks ago when I was supposed to I would have done enough miles to give me confidence (Corvette owner I'm travelling with, former Cerb owner, gives me grief over the car, and if something went wrong one of us would be coming back alive lol)FUBAR said:
Its probably what mine needs. Paul said it needed another 1000 miles on the cheap oil, and the 35 mile round trip to work is going to take all summer lol. Only had it back a week. If Id had it back 2 weeks ago when I was supposed to I would have done enough miles to give me confidence (Corvette owner I'm travelling with, former Cerb owner, gives me grief over the car, and if something went wrong one of us would be coming back alive lol)
How much are you burning?!?!ridds said:
FUBAR said:
Its probably what mine needs. Paul said it needed another 1000 miles on the cheap oil, and the 35 mile round trip to work is going to take all summer lol. Only had it back a week. If Id had it back 2 weeks ago when I was supposed to I would have done enough miles to give me confidence (Corvette owner I'm travelling with, former Cerb owner, gives me grief over the car, and if something went wrong one of us would be coming back alive lol)
How much are you burning?!?!FUBAR said:
Its probably what mine needs. Paul said it needed another 1000 miles on the cheap oil, and the 35 mile round trip to work is going to take all summer lol. Only had it back a week. If Id had it back 2 weeks ago when I was supposed to I would have done enough miles to give me confidence (Corvette owner I'm travelling with, former Cerb owner, gives me grief over the car, and if something went wrong one of us would be coming back alive lol)
Don't forget the courgette FUBAR said:
Robscim said:
WHAT?? That's a shame - I recon the journey can only do mine good (or break it in the process!!).
Its probably what mine needs. Paul said it needed another 1000 miles on the cheap oil, and the 35 mile round trip to work is going to take all summer lol. Only had it back a week. If Id had it back 2 weeks ago when I was supposed to I would have done enough miles to give me confidence (Corvette owner I'm travelling with, former Cerb owner, gives me grief over the car, and if something went wrong one of us would be coming back alive lol)Had a major panic tonight!!! The Cerbera decided 7 cylinders were enough and one sulked and refused to join in!!! Thanks to Paul (I phoned him this evening at home), she went in the garage late this evening and the culprit - a dodgy spark plug!!! Wa-hay, we can stand the substitute down and we're off in the morning!!
Huge thanks to Paul for giving up his evening whilst juggling family things at home.
Wave if you see me - you'll spot me somewhere in the smokescreen!!
Cheers
Rob
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