Bolt found in sump

[mickydoo]

Hi all

My car is currently in at Red Mist for a major service, as I decided to do it as the same time as repair my exhaust manifolds.

Nigel has found an allen bolt in the sump that is approx 8mm thread and about 25mm long.

We are wondering if it's possibly the timing chain setup, or maybe related to the retention of the camshaft as there is evidence a previous owner/garage has had molegrips on the camshaft!! Fortunately not on a bearing surface...

Nigel's going to have a closer inspection, but if it's related to the timing chain etc, then it's an engine out job to get the cover off.

In the meantime - anyone else got any ideas?

[mickydoo]

[ridds]

Cam sprocket retaining bolt, or is it too big? These are usually dropped down the front cover. Pop the cam covers to check for the 4 bolts in each sprocket.

[mickydoo]

Nigel's had the cams off to check for wear, so all the retaining bolts are there. It's possible this was lost, replaced, and has been in the sump for a while.

Do you know if it is the right size for the timing chain retainer, or not?

Edited by mickydoo on Thursday 28th June 13:15

[SimonSparrow]

Hi,

I had this a few years ago, Andy at APM found a bolt in the sump, it was from one of the nylon cam guides. Lucky escape for both of us as apparently it normally drops into the gears on the front of the crank and breaks things.

Engine out to replace I'm afraid, unless you have no aircon. Worth replacing the timing chain while you're there.

Simon

[Tanguero]

My worry would be that it was one of the ones you can see here from the timing chain guides. Though there is a large thick washer behind each of them so I would expect that to be in the sump as well. The only way you can be sure though is to pull the engine and take off the front cover

[sonnylad]

Just wondering how they found that in the sump if engine and front cover is still fitted. Or have i missed something in the post.

[mickydoo]

It's most likely there from prior history of the car.

I had a good chat with Nigel this morning, and his assessment is that it's from the cam sprockets, and has been replaced. He found no washer in the sump, and if the timing chain guides had lost a bolt, there would most likely be an intense rattle and shaking coming from the front of the engine.

He's going to run it up to check & test now the service is finished.

[big_treacle]

Good luck man. Say Hi to my car when you go and pick yours up - it's the black Cerb (if you can see the colour through the dirt!)

[mickydoo]

Hey - yes saw your car on collecting my baby this afternoon.

My Cerb is running smoother than ever now - he resolved the MIL light issue under hard acceleration, had the manifolds welded, and completed the 12k service with full tappet adjustment etc.

I was just looking at my bill, and though I had to share this:

12k service + tappets £433.00 (!!)
Remove, repair, refit exhaust manifolds both side £480
Reset front track £30
Patch rear tail pipes £25

Ok, so add VAT and parts and I had a bill for about £1300, but I was pleasantly surprised at how low cost the service was, and he did a very thorough job, including handing back the car clean (although not a full valet, it was rather mucky on dropping it off).

I'll be using him again for sure, and highly recommended as other's on here have already said.

[big_treacle]

Sounds good. APM has done my car before & though excellent, he's too far from me to be convenient. Hopefully I've now found the local man for the job.