Keeping it smooth
Discussion
Well I’ve had the ST20 for over 4 years now, and what an amazing experience it’s been! However it’s finally time for me to get my hands dirty, thanks to me side stepping the clutch and sending the centre bearing in the dual mass flywheel on a wobbler – but given the cars 120,000 miles I certainly can’t complain.
Anyhow I thought I’d share a few pictures from earlier in the week, having spent 3 days with a friend tidying things up (in -9°C at one point I might add!)
The bearing which holds the two parts of the flywheel together had lost some of its integrity and caused a slight vibration in the clutch pedal but there were no other symptoms. To be honest it wasn't that bad and I dare say it would have lasted for many more thousands of miles, but I'm fastidious about these things.
The crankshaft oil seal was reassuringly dry.
The oil sump gasket has been weeping since I bought the car, but it’s got worse recently so it was time to do something about it. The sump and lower crank case were cleaned thoroughly, and a sealant was used in addition to the aluminium gasket.
Removing the sump shown 6,000 mile oil changes were not in vein, and what components I could see shown no visible wear.
Perfect
Anyhow I thought I’d share a few pictures from earlier in the week, having spent 3 days with a friend tidying things up (in -9°C at one point I might add!)
The bearing which holds the two parts of the flywheel together had lost some of its integrity and caused a slight vibration in the clutch pedal but there were no other symptoms. To be honest it wasn't that bad and I dare say it would have lasted for many more thousands of miles, but I'm fastidious about these things.
The crankshaft oil seal was reassuringly dry.
The oil sump gasket has been weeping since I bought the car, but it’s got worse recently so it was time to do something about it. The sump and lower crank case were cleaned thoroughly, and a sealant was used in addition to the aluminium gasket.
Removing the sump shown 6,000 mile oil changes were not in vein, and what components I could see shown no visible wear.
Perfect
I should add how impressed I was with the quality of some of the components, considering almost everything but the engine was removed.
Wear and tear on things such as the suspension was minimal, which is nice considering you pay a 50% ST tax on such parts. Although I get the feeling the gearbox mount was probably over engineered, but it’s nice to know these cars are screwed together well.
Mine will be around for some time yet I reckon.
Wear and tear on things such as the suspension was minimal, which is nice considering you pay a 50% ST tax on such parts. Although I get the feeling the gearbox mount was probably over engineered, but it’s nice to know these cars are screwed together well.
Mine will be around for some time yet I reckon.
neiljohnson said:
They are very well put together my boss has a red 52 plate estate that's done almost 150k now & it's still going strong even though he tries to drive the wheels of it !!
Weirdly enough the older mine gets the quicker I drive it, yet I still take absolutely no tools or consumables with me on track days or road trips. I just put fuel in the tank and go.
Just an FYI for the owners of any of these old girls...
I had noticed a gradual coolant leak from mine, about 1 litre every 10 weeks. Not the end of the world but worth fixing.
It turned out to be the thermostat housing which is tucked inbetween the engine and battery; my guess is a slightly imperfect seal has caused the aluminium to oxidise, its then snowballed and gradually got worse.
A deep clean of the thermostat housing and coolant hoses has solved the issue, with no new parts needed.
Here is the compulsory before and after.
Lastly the coolant had seen better days, Haynes may say it's suitable for the life of the car but I’m not sure about the crud floating around in it.
I had noticed a gradual coolant leak from mine, about 1 litre every 10 weeks. Not the end of the world but worth fixing.
It turned out to be the thermostat housing which is tucked inbetween the engine and battery; my guess is a slightly imperfect seal has caused the aluminium to oxidise, its then snowballed and gradually got worse.
A deep clean of the thermostat housing and coolant hoses has solved the issue, with no new parts needed.
Here is the compulsory before and after.
Lastly the coolant had seen better days, Haynes may say it's suitable for the life of the car but I’m not sure about the crud floating around in it.
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