What did you do in the garage yesterday?
Discussion
Checked the second car battery first thing - fully charged.
Started both to make sure.
Transferred the charger to the TVR (yes, I had three flat batteries), and am pleased to say the battery is fully charged this evening.
Now the TVR is the only car I have that doesn’t have the airbag warning light on. Top thinking, Peter Wheeler, one less thing to go wrong.
Started both to make sure.
Transferred the charger to the TVR (yes, I had three flat batteries), and am pleased to say the battery is fully charged this evening.
Now the TVR is the only car I have that doesn’t have the airbag warning light on. Top thinking, Peter Wheeler, one less thing to go wrong.
Oil and filter in preparation for a trackday Friday, nice n'simple.. except the sun going down far too quickly for my liking 
I put off doing the ignition system due to HT lead boots and dizzy cap not turning up on time, working all day tomorrow so I'll have to go without for now
With my sump plug being all magnetic n'stuff it drew all the metal filings out of the oil, can anyone more knowledgeable than me tell me if this is a bit excessive for 7 months-ish on this oil? (sorry for unclear picture, debris starts where the smooth oily surface finishes)
Also had a minor disaster when one of my jacks collapsed as I was removing the axle stands, and dug into the sill.. could have been far worse but I'm still fuming with myself for using what I knew was a rubbish jack
Ending with gratuitous picture, because something about the car in this state just looks so cool to me, no idea why
I put off doing the ignition system due to HT lead boots and dizzy cap not turning up on time, working all day tomorrow so I'll have to go without for now
With my sump plug being all magnetic n'stuff it drew all the metal filings out of the oil, can anyone more knowledgeable than me tell me if this is a bit excessive for 7 months-ish on this oil? (sorry for unclear picture, debris starts where the smooth oily surface finishes)
Also had a minor disaster when one of my jacks collapsed as I was removing the axle stands, and dug into the sill.. could have been far worse but I'm still fuming with myself for using what I knew was a rubbish jack
Ending with gratuitous picture, because something about the car in this state just looks so cool to me, no idea why
I was minding my own buisness as you do when my foot slipped off the clutch pedal.
Brake fluid, can only be the master cylinder.
Go home pronto. Ordered a new master & slave cylinder. While waiting to arrive i thought tackle the windows. My door cards have never been off, the fiber glass mat was still intact. I have 4 bolts not 3, one bolt is directly behind the 45 degree window channel with just enough space to get the nut off. Had to cut 10mm off to get the wing nut on. Got well greased putting the nuts back on, my arm was covered.
The passenger side was dire, its now better but still slow.
So back to the clutch cylinders, what could possibly go wrong.
Swearing aside, it was not that bad.
Came to start the car & nowt, what have i done wrong. More swearing.
I needed a drink, well Ok a bottle of wine & whisky.
Took to the forum & i was pointed in the direction of the 100amp fuse thanks to previous posts.
I am getting to old to be layed on the floor. But needs must. Seat out battery disconnected, fuse replaced, more drink needed.
The gritter has been out so road testing can wait.
This morning the boiler stopped & we have mice tap dancing in the attic.
Relay replaced on the boiler, mouse traps set & another bottle opened.
Blame the bottle for spelling mistakes.
Brake fluid, can only be the master cylinder.
Go home pronto. Ordered a new master & slave cylinder. While waiting to arrive i thought tackle the windows. My door cards have never been off, the fiber glass mat was still intact. I have 4 bolts not 3, one bolt is directly behind the 45 degree window channel with just enough space to get the nut off. Had to cut 10mm off to get the wing nut on. Got well greased putting the nuts back on, my arm was covered.
The passenger side was dire, its now better but still slow.
So back to the clutch cylinders, what could possibly go wrong.
Swearing aside, it was not that bad.
Came to start the car & nowt, what have i done wrong. More swearing.
I needed a drink, well Ok a bottle of wine & whisky.
Took to the forum & i was pointed in the direction of the 100amp fuse thanks to previous posts.
I am getting to old to be layed on the floor. But needs must. Seat out battery disconnected, fuse replaced, more drink needed.
The gritter has been out so road testing can wait.
This morning the boiler stopped & we have mice tap dancing in the attic.
Relay replaced on the boiler, mouse traps set & another bottle opened.
Blame the bottle for spelling mistakes.
CanoeSniffer said:
Oil and filter in preparation for a trackday Friday, nice n'simple.. except the sun going down far too quickly for my liking
I put off doing the ignition system due to HT lead boots and dizzy cap not turning up on time, working all day tomorrow so I'll have to go without for now
With my sump plug being all magnetic n'stuff it drew all the metal filings out of the oil, can anyone more knowledgeable than me tell me if this is a bit excessive for 7 months-ish on this oil? (sorry for unclear picture, debris starts where the smooth oily surface finishes)
Also had a minor disaster when one of my jacks collapsed as I was removing the axle stands, and dug into the sill.. could have been far worse but I'm still fuming with myself for using what I knew was a rubbish jack
Ending with gratuitous picture, because something about the car in this state just looks so cool to me, no idea why
Engine milage I put off doing the ignition system due to HT lead boots and dizzy cap not turning up on time, working all day tomorrow so I'll have to go without for now
With my sump plug being all magnetic n'stuff it drew all the metal filings out of the oil, can anyone more knowledgeable than me tell me if this is a bit excessive for 7 months-ish on this oil? (sorry for unclear picture, debris starts where the smooth oily surface finishes)
Also had a minor disaster when one of my jacks collapsed as I was removing the axle stands, and dug into the sill.. could have been far worse but I'm still fuming with myself for using what I knew was a rubbish jack
Ending with gratuitous picture, because something about the car in this state just looks so cool to me, no idea why
Mileage on this oil.
You run a carb.
I’d say that’s probably about normal to be honest.
The biggest obvious difference in my engine when going to a different Ecu was how much longer the oil stayed brown, at least another 12/1500 miles longer which just shows how much semi burnt fuel gets chucked through these engines even on the original Efi so a carb might add a touch more maybe.
And the picture reminds me of watching Barry ( Longbaz) drag racing, he almost wheelies and the suspension articulation is about the same!
Classic Chim said:
Engine milage
Mileage on this oil.
You run a carb.
I’d say that’s probably about normal to be honest.
The biggest obvious difference in my engine when going to a different Ecu was how much longer the oil stayed brown, at least another 12/1500 miles longer which just shows how much semi burnt fuel gets chucked through these engines even on the original Efi so a carb might add a touch more maybe.
And the picture reminds me of watching Barry ( Longbaz) drag racing, he almost wheelies and the suspension articulation is about the same!
My bad, should've said this oil is about 3500 miles to the good. Yeah I was a little disappointed at how dark the oil was for relatively low mileage but then remembered it's a 24 year old V8 on a carb and dizzy, probably not the cleanest burn in the world Mileage on this oil.
You run a carb.
I’d say that’s probably about normal to be honest.
The biggest obvious difference in my engine when going to a different Ecu was how much longer the oil stayed brown, at least another 12/1500 miles longer which just shows how much semi burnt fuel gets chucked through these engines even on the original Efi so a carb might add a touch more maybe.
And the picture reminds me of watching Barry ( Longbaz) drag racing, he almost wheelies and the suspension articulation is about the same!
Not on gravel I hope!
A photo of the Magnetic Sump plug clear of debris, may help give people on the forum a clearer indication of what the problem could be. Another solution would be to buy an "Oil Lab Test Kit" from the www.theoillab.co.uk (about £60.00)
I Personally would not have thought that running a Carb, would have created all that Debris on the Sump Plug! It Looks like the sump is full of gunge and needs taking off and cleaning, not forgetting the oil pump pick up is not too far away.
I Personally would not have thought that running a Carb, would have created all that Debris on the Sump Plug! It Looks like the sump is full of gunge and needs taking off and cleaning, not forgetting the oil pump pick up is not too far away.
CanoeSniffer said:
My bad, should've said this oil is about 3500 miles to the good. Yeah I was a little disappointed at how dark the oil was for relatively low mileage but then remembered it's a 24 year old V8 on a carb and dizzy, probably not the cleanest burn in the world
I don't envy you doing an oil change in this weather, Mike! What oil did you go for?I do quite like doing an oil change though...somewhat satisfying and therapeutic. I'll be waiting till the warmer months, though
I fitted a magnetic sump plug to mine on the last change so will be interesting to see what I find...
As said, the oil is very black for that mileage and as suggested it would be a good idea to drop the sump and thoroughly clean it out .
While you are in there certainly clean out the oil pick up as you will find that there will be some sort of debris on the mesh.
If you have a torque wrench available and a good set of imperial sockets then I would suggest removing a couple of big and caps and checking the shells for wear.
While you are in there certainly clean out the oil pick up as you will find that there will be some sort of debris on the mesh.
If you have a torque wrench available and a good set of imperial sockets then I would suggest removing a couple of big and caps and checking the shells for wear.
phazed said:
The debris on the magnetic sump plug looks a excessive for the mileage.
You'll probably find it is no more then Metal dust most probably from a camshaft that is slowly breaking down. Not a huge worry as that represents a small amount of wear but something to be aware of.
The magnetic plug was only fitted at last service so with the rose tinted specs on some of the debris may be residual from before then. Doing the track day tomorrow could be a decent indicator of how the cam is feeling, based on how the car performs further up the rev range. Fingers crossed it's just wear rather than damage.You'll probably find it is no more then Metal dust most probably from a camshaft that is slowly breaking down. Not a huge worry as that represents a small amount of wear but something to be aware of.
Would have loved to join you at Abingdon but car is away at the moment!
Abingdon was the first time my wife joined me as a passenger on track, that was about nine years ago! She actually enjoyed it although was silent until we came to a halt
Good point about the debris, it may have been sitting around and not drained at previous oil changes.
Even if it is cam wear, this is a gradual process over a period of years generally as our cars don't do the miles.
Abingdon was the first time my wife joined me as a passenger on track, that was about nine years ago! She actually enjoyed it although was silent until we came to a halt
Good point about the debris, it may have been sitting around and not drained at previous oil changes.
Even if it is cam wear, this is a gradual process over a period of years generally as our cars don't do the miles.
CanoeSniffer said:
The magnetic plug was only fitted at last service so with the rose tinted specs on some of the debris may be residual from before then. Doing the track day tomorrow could be a decent indicator of how the cam is feeling, based on how the car performs further up the rev range. Fingers crossed it's just wear rather than damage.
Do consider this is just your first oil change since fitting a magnetic sump plug, as such it will pick up much of the ferrous metal that's accumulated, and so been present in your sump for many many years. It's actually a good thing to see, because what you've pulled out is no longer circuiting around your oil galleries and being forced between your shell bearings and crank journals ect.
If you are still seeing iron when you've changed the oil three times over and after installing the magnetic sump plug, then and only then should you be prompted to investigate further. I would put money on your next change showing a vast reduction in iron, and on change three there will be little or no evidence of ferrous metal other than the very finest silt which is perfectly normal.
Think of your magnetic sump plug as a filter and one you've only just started using after years and tens of thousands of miles, give it a chance to do it's thing over three complete changes and assuming you have no fundamental accelerated cam wear issues ect you can definitely expect to see a gradual reduction in what your sump plug picks up and pulls out of the oil.
This on the other hand is shocking.....
LongBaz said:
citizen smith said:
It Looks like the sump is full of gunge and needs taking off and cleaning, not forgetting the oil pump pick up is not too far away.
Agree with this. Bet the sump floor is thick with black goo. As you are a nutter lying on the gravel (get a nice thick carpet to lay on) in freezing temps changing oil, removing the sump and cleaning it out will be a doddle. And throw that scissor jack in the bin or you might not be posting on here much longer. 
N7GTX said:
phazed said:
N7GTX said:
phazed said:
SFA?
Have you led a sheltered life Peter? A roughty toughty builder like you? 
I also did NOTHING in the garage yesterday.
That's it... carry on....
N7GTX said:
citizen smith said:
It Looks like the sump is full of gunge and needs taking off and cleaning, not forgetting the oil pump pick up is not too far away.
Agree with this. Bet the sump floor is thick with black goo. As you are a nutter lying on the gravel (get a nice thick carpet to lay on) in freezing temps changing oil, removing the sump and cleaning it out will be a doddle. And throw that scissor jack in the bin or you might not be posting on here much longer. Luckily I always try to avoid working under the 'protection' of a jack, if I'm going under the car then so do the axle stands! I've never had a jacking incident before so thank gawd I hadn't become complacent or this incident would have been very messy
My scissor jack is actually the good one of the pair I used! The jack that gave was one of the 'orrible VW style hinged ones (I'll attach a photo to demonstrate). The post-mortem revealed that a spring had snapped the purpose of which was to stop the foot from folding into the leg of the jack under load (which is exactly what happened with mine causing the drama and tears). The top of the jack (which is a stupid stupid shape) dug into and punctured the sill. It's not too bad but still galling, silly silly boy me using that awful bloody thing on my P&J
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