Trev's back but...

[anonymous-user]

I've had my T350 back for a week now and its a good as it ever was. BUT.

A big but this...

Hexham (and apparently TVR) have no idea why the engine broke!

The eventual fault was the shaft that ends in the pulley that drives the alternator had worked its way out of whatever holds it in place (I'm assuming its a bearing) so that it was metal on metal (i.e. shaft against engine block). When it initially happened the AA man who came to the rescue could see it wobbling and pointed out the swarf from the contact area the shaft was that lose...

I'm waiting for a full diagnosis from HHC however just consider: the cars only 2 years old, has done 10,000 miles, I've only done 3500 this year without any track days, etc.

So, no hard wear. Oil always checked. No revving above 3000 till the oil's warm. And, it still broke.

If you hear an excessive rattle from the engine while its cold I would get your dealer to check out this shaft (I'll get a more technical description when I can) and make sure its not working lose!

[mad-dot]

Look here........www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=188303&f=5&h=0&hw=shaft+fail

[anonymous-user]

Another one. Like the bit about the dealer never having heard of it before. Deja vu.

[hexhamhc]

Lee,as you know the actual failure was not of your engine but an ancilliary drive. The pulley is secured to the jackshaft via a woodruff key and it seems like the problem lies in the security of that key and keyway. This means that in effect, eventually the pulley worked loose on the shaft,this then puts extra stress on the shaft resulting in there being metal to metal contact. It is difficult to be categoric as to the cause, incorrect tolerances, incorrect assembly, poor re-assembly following a routine repair, or a problem that is material related are just some of the possibilities. We have seen many Speed Six engines now! and this is the first that we have encountered with this problem. We have seen a similar problem with a few Cerbera AJP8's, which if recognised and caught early, can be treated as a routine repair with the engine remaining in situ.
I hope that your T350 is putting a smile back on your face again and I'll be in touch regarding the 'paperwork' soon! Best regards, Tony

[anonymous-user]

Tony - It's never sounded so good so the smile is definitely back where it should be. Hope you didn't get the wrong impression from the post - your guys did an excellent job. The link above is interesting though...

[targarama]

I do wish this part wasn't called a woodruff key. It has always made me think of a left-over bit from a school woodwork class.