I put my fingers through my engine!!!!!!
Discussion
Well what a nightmare. I changed my thermostat last weekend. Not too hard, but when I was cleaning up the spilled coolant just below the thermostat housing, I put my fingers through the thin metal cover that sits on top of the bottom end!!
The metal was so fragile that it split open with hardly any effort. This cover runs the length of the engine and is concave. Now oil is blowing out and when ticking over you can see it bubbling inside the engine, through the split. I can't believe the engine was so weak. 45000 miles!
I don't know if I can get a plate welded, or will need to remove the plenum and throttle body etc to replace it. All for a thermostat
Any ideas are very welcome!
The metal was so fragile that it split open with hardly any effort. This cover runs the length of the engine and is concave. Now oil is blowing out and when ticking over you can see it bubbling inside the engine, through the split. I can't believe the engine was so weak. 45000 miles!
I don't know if I can get a plate welded, or will need to remove the plenum and throttle body etc to replace it. All for a thermostat
Any ideas are very welcome!
Just as well you noticed it. Presumably it went due to corrosion, and if you hadn't provoked it and it had failed later (as it would eventually) you might not have noticed in time to prevent damage.
It isn't particularly hard to replace if you're competent with a spanner. Even if you take your time you should have no trouble doing it in half a day. An experienced mechanic would probably do it in under an hour.
You need a new valley gasket and end seals, best go for a composite one. The parts aren't expensive and you can get them from any RV8 parts supplier. Basically it is just a matter of removing the plenum top, trumpet base and inlet manifold. In practice you just start at the top and work down until you get to the valley gasket. You will need to drain the coolant below the level of the heads before you take the inlet manifold off. Really not much to it. Just make really really sure that you don't drop any tools or parts into the intake while you are dismantling it or you will have a really bad day when you come to start it afterwards. To be on the safe side, seal each opening with masking tape as you expose it.
It isn't particularly hard to replace if you're competent with a spanner. Even if you take your time you should have no trouble doing it in half a day. An experienced mechanic would probably do it in under an hour.
You need a new valley gasket and end seals, best go for a composite one. The parts aren't expensive and you can get them from any RV8 parts supplier. Basically it is just a matter of removing the plenum top, trumpet base and inlet manifold. In practice you just start at the top and work down until you get to the valley gasket. You will need to drain the coolant below the level of the heads before you take the inlet manifold off. Really not much to it. Just make really really sure that you don't drop any tools or parts into the intake while you are dismantling it or you will have a really bad day when you come to start it afterwards. To be on the safe side, seal each opening with masking tape as you expose it.
I think I'll attempt it myself as every TVR garage I call quotes over 4 hours labour! Do I need to replace any other gaskets such as on the inlet/trumpets etc? Do I need to tighten anything to specific torque settings/do up bolts in sequence? Thanks for you advice - I really appreciate it. Owning this car is like having a permanent hole in your pocket and I'm not sure I'd ever buy another TVR!
Bloody hell Meeko,
I have been looking back through your posts and found:
Idle problems
Stepper motor
Heater
New HT leads
New plug extenders
New Dizzy Cap/Rotor
New Stepper
New Bosch Coil
Lost power
and put your finger through the engine
and double you seem to be getting it all at once. Have you got a picture of this fabled beast?
I can see why you are contemplating throwing in the towel. But I can assure you that once its gone you will miss it.... I am now thinking of either getting a TR8 or returning to the fold with a wedge.
>> Edited by scared but happy on Saturday 3rd December 20:59
I have been looking back through your posts and found:
Idle problems
Stepper motor
Heater
New HT leads
New plug extenders
New Dizzy Cap/Rotor
New Stepper
New Bosch Coil
Lost power
and put your finger through the engine
and double you seem to be getting it all at once. Have you got a picture of this fabled beast? I can see why you are contemplating throwing in the towel. But I can assure you that once its gone you will miss it.... I am now thinking of either getting a TR8 or returning to the fold with a wedge.
>> Edited by scared but happy on Saturday 3rd December 20:59
You don't need any parts apart from the valley gasket and end seals. Tighten the manifold, trumpet base and plenum top in a diagonal pattern so they pull down evenly. I don't remember what the various torques are but remember they're all into ally so don't overtighten, none of them need to be particularly tight. 30-40 lbft should be about right.
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