Gah - cylinder head gaskets gone!
Discussion
I'm not having much luck with Pandora!
As some may know, shortly after I got her on the road I had an accident in her which was partly caused by very poor suspension alignment (if I'd have known how bad it was I wouldn't have driven her).
After fixing her, and sorting the suspension out, I hoped I'd be on track to just enjoying driving her on my days off.
Unfortunately, there has been a persistent cooling issue we haven't been able to yet rectify.
It looked like we'd sorted things; however, on Saturday it became clear that the head gasket(s) have failed.
Basically, if the car is driven gently, keeping the revs below 4000RPM, all is well.
However, if the car is driven with gutso, the header tank becomes pressurised so much that it can empty the contents out of the overflow in a few minutes.
It's pretty clear that the gasket(s) are allowing blow-by into the water galleries at high revs.
Added to which, the front crank seal is leaking badly, suggesting it's also pressurising the oil galleries.
I can now see why a previous owner laid the car up for so long.
It'd clearly had cooling issues before I had it (someone had removed the thermostat completely).
Coupled with the long list of jobs it's taken me two years (on and off) to complete, I'd guess that this issue caused someone to completely throw the towel in.
Hence why the car was passed around like a hot potato between owners (it seems).
I was initially, absolutely gutted, but the old man's going to give me a hand, and hopefully we can have it done in a weekend.
I'm trying to take the positive view that by the time I'm done, this is going to be one SERIOUSLY sorted wedge.
It might be cosmetically tatty, but it's going to be utterly, and thoroughly sorted mechanically.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if having a demanding girlfriend might *actually* be cheaper and less maintenance!
As some may know, shortly after I got her on the road I had an accident in her which was partly caused by very poor suspension alignment (if I'd have known how bad it was I wouldn't have driven her).
After fixing her, and sorting the suspension out, I hoped I'd be on track to just enjoying driving her on my days off.
Unfortunately, there has been a persistent cooling issue we haven't been able to yet rectify.
It looked like we'd sorted things; however, on Saturday it became clear that the head gasket(s) have failed.
Basically, if the car is driven gently, keeping the revs below 4000RPM, all is well.
However, if the car is driven with gutso, the header tank becomes pressurised so much that it can empty the contents out of the overflow in a few minutes.
It's pretty clear that the gasket(s) are allowing blow-by into the water galleries at high revs.
Added to which, the front crank seal is leaking badly, suggesting it's also pressurising the oil galleries.
I can now see why a previous owner laid the car up for so long.
It'd clearly had cooling issues before I had it (someone had removed the thermostat completely).
Coupled with the long list of jobs it's taken me two years (on and off) to complete, I'd guess that this issue caused someone to completely throw the towel in.
Hence why the car was passed around like a hot potato between owners (it seems).
I was initially, absolutely gutted, but the old man's going to give me a hand, and hopefully we can have it done in a weekend.
I'm trying to take the positive view that by the time I'm done, this is going to be one SERIOUSLY sorted wedge.
It might be cosmetically tatty, but it's going to be utterly, and thoroughly sorted mechanically.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if having a demanding girlfriend might *actually* be cheaper and less maintenance!
Yeah keep on at it mate. mine's could barely go the length of itself when i got it last year.
the electrics didnt work, the engine would cut out after 5mins, there was barely any interior.
The car now runs fine(touch wood) the lecky is sorted and i've got an interior.
Next is to bling it up like mr ziga.
Keep at it.
Marcus
the electrics didnt work, the engine would cut out after 5mins, there was barely any interior.
The car now runs fine(touch wood) the lecky is sorted and i've got an interior.
Next is to bling it up like mr ziga.
Keep at it.
Marcus
hi
sorry to hear about your wows but if it's a 350, change the engine.
as you maybe unlucky like the one fingered bandit on here, bought a motor it had the same problem but he paid to have the work done and it still gave him problems with over heating (possible the garage cocked up) but it sounds like your engine has been very hot in the past, god knows what you may have to replace.
or you simply get stuck in and keep us posted regarding your progress, as i would be interested in reading how you get on..............it must be one of those man things, as i would love to strip and rebuild a engine (not done that yet)
best of luck
sorry to hear about your wows but if it's a 350, change the engine.
as you maybe unlucky like the one fingered bandit on here, bought a motor it had the same problem but he paid to have the work done and it still gave him problems with over heating (possible the garage cocked up) but it sounds like your engine has been very hot in the past, god knows what you may have to replace.
or you simply get stuck in and keep us posted regarding your progress, as i would be interested in reading how you get on..............it must be one of those man things, as i would love to strip and rebuild a engine (not done that yet)
best of luck
As mr punch say's..."Thats the way to do it"...Priority number 1 is getting it sorted mechanically..Its gutting to get so far and then be back at square one but im back there again it seems..The bling on mine was done purely because parts were coming off and it was a chance to make them shiny..But the main priority is to address all the mechanicals..Its a real pain in the arsh but you will get there..keep the wedge faith..Ziga
It may have been hot in the past but some composite head gaskets and head studs (x 20 kit) should sort it out. You can do it start-finish in a weekend.
The symptoms sound consistent but if you want the "acid test" try passing the bubbles through lime water - it should cloud up if it's the head gasket.
The symptoms sound consistent but if you want the "acid test" try passing the bubbles through lime water - it should cloud up if it's the head gasket.
Cheers guys.
Don't mind admitting that I'm letting The Old Man guide me on this.
He's built and raced a lot of RV8s in the past, and the symptoms all tie in with past experiences.
We'll have the heads off, check that they haven't warped, and if they need skimming, they'll get skimmed.
Possibly have them skimmed enough to allow the fitment of composite gaskets.
It's really bloody irritating, that this is only a couple of months after rebuilding and re-installing the inlet manifold (the flange sealant is still bright red!), but - it's all experience, and I'll have the peace of mind to know I'll have a cracker of an engine.
A cold compression test showed great compression, and the engine isn't burning any oil at all.
The camshaft was in great shape, so it's 100% worth a set of head gaskets.
I shall post pictures up (as usual) of the rebuild as it takes place.
Don't mind admitting that I'm letting The Old Man guide me on this.
He's built and raced a lot of RV8s in the past, and the symptoms all tie in with past experiences.
We'll have the heads off, check that they haven't warped, and if they need skimming, they'll get skimmed.
Possibly have them skimmed enough to allow the fitment of composite gaskets.
It's really bloody irritating, that this is only a couple of months after rebuilding and re-installing the inlet manifold (the flange sealant is still bright red!), but - it's all experience, and I'll have the peace of mind to know I'll have a cracker of an engine.
A cold compression test showed great compression, and the engine isn't burning any oil at all.
The camshaft was in great shape, so it's 100% worth a set of head gaskets.
I shall post pictures up (as usual) of the rebuild as it takes place.
Edited by voltage_maxx on Monday 9th September 07:07
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