What did you do in the garage yesterday?

[shake n bake]

Chuffmeister said:

Most decent garages would be able to drill that out and re-tap if necessary. I recommend a new sump gasket and a set of bolts and spring washers for when you replace it. You can get the bolts, washers and spreader plate cheaply from Rimmer Bros, just remember that the two bolts at the rear are slightly longer when used with the spreader. I've recently purchased the rubber gasket from EBay. The fibre one is pretty good too, albeit quite expensive.

Forgive my ignorance but what is the spreader plate?

[ianwayne]

Halfway down this page. Red arrow pointing to it:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=134...

[spend]

It's the bolts that go into the timing cover!!!! Before ranting about all & sundry inspect carefully that previous bodger hasn't bent front of sump trying to get timing cover off I'd remove the timing cover & sump and inspect carefully for damage ~ the timing cover can be drilled tapped by any competent engineer (rather than trusting a spanner monkey/gorilla)

[shake n bake]

spend said:

It's the bolts that go into the timing cover!!!! Before ranting about all & sundry inspect carefully that previous bodger hasn't bent front of sump trying to get timing cover off I'd remove the timing cover & sump and inspect carefully for damage ~ the timing cover can be drilled tapped by any competent engineer (rather than trusting a spanner monkey/gorilla)

Thank you chaps for the advice, so the bolt that's gone walkies goes in to the timing cover?
I've ordered a gasket, new bolts and washers and will get one of those spreader plates tomorrow. It's going in to a garage I worked at before so I'm confident to let them repair it, I'd rather fernies did it next month when it's in for outriggers and a big service, but I'm reluctant to drive it 180 miles with oil making it's way out freely!

[Chuffmeister]

If it's just the bolt in the thread, the oil shouldn't pour out. But as Spend says, it is worth checking the timing cover.

[phazed]

Chuffmeister said:

If it's just the bolt in the thread, the oil shouldn't pour out. But as Spend says, it is worth checking the timing cover.

It does. The front 2 are drilled into the cover and the oil can and will leak through.

You have to seal the threads.

[Chuffmeister]

phazed said:

It does. The front 2 are drilled into the cover and the oil can and will leak through.

You have to seal the threads.

What do you seal them with Peter

[phazed]

Some sort of sealant on the threads, some use a thread lock.

[Chuffmeister]

phazed said:

Some sort of sealant on the threads, some use a thread lock.

May have Loctite. Sikaflex should do? Works for the valley gasket.

[phazed]

You just need a dab to seal the threads.

As for the sump, i don't use a gasket, just a proprietary sealant.

[QBee]

phazed said:

You just need a dab to seal the threads.

As for the sump, i don't use a gasket, just a proprietary sealant.

+1 re gaskets - my TVR guy was horrified at the thought of using spreader bars or gaskets. Just sealant on my car.

[Chuffmeister]

phazed said:

You just need a dab to seal the threads.

As for the sump, i don't use a gasket, just a proprietary sealant.

I was put off of that after reading Daz's horror story (Chapter 1 - Silicone). I'll unbolt them one at a time and add a bit of Loctite. It is all the bolts then or jus the ones on the front cover?

[phazed]

Just the front two.

[Chuffmeister]

phazed said:

Just the front two.

Nice one... two minute job... i like that!

[seeby]

Put the rear roof down on the Chim and went for a cruise down to Bespoke Performance and let them give it the once over and then take to get it MOTd. PASSED . Then did the return journey in about half the time .

[Pupp]

Vac lines to BOV, MAP sensor and WG installed and routed from suitable vac and boost sources, coolant fittings on CHRA changed to banjos, radiator physically reinstalled (after a fight), coolant runs to CHRA settled. General fettling, tinkering and tidying.

[QBee]

Pupp said:

Vac lines to BOV, MAP sensor and WG installed and routed from suitable vac and boost sources, coolant fittings on CHRA changed to banjos, radiator physically reinstalled (after a fight), coolant runs to CHRA settled. General fettling, tinkering and tidying.

.....and in a language understood by mere earth-mortals, rather than sky-pilots?

[Pupp]

QBee said:

.....and in a language understood by mere earth-mortals, rather than sky-pilots?

Really tedious but essential minor plumbing chores done

[QBee]

Pupp said:

QBee said:

.....and in a language understood by mere earth-mortals, rather than sky-pilots?

Really tedious but essential minor plumbing chores done

Excellent - so "re-installed leaking kitchen tap following a visit from the plumber" qualifies? Great

[roseytvr]

Hopefully sorted what I thought was a hot start issue - found a loose earth on the water pump! Fingers crossed