New to the S1 - with smoking habit

[WorGC]

Alreet all! I've just taken delivery of an '89 2.8 V6 that's been stood for a year. Probably shouldn't have tried to drive the wee beastie home as it got extremely hot, started tapping and ended up in a cloud of smoke on the A69 at Hexham. Any suggestions as to my next course of action? Oil was good, water was topped up.

[Big Ian]

new engine? What was your oil pressure like on the drive home...it sounds like you did not have any.


>> Edited by Big Ian on Friday 18th March 16:13

>> Edited by Big Ian on Friday 18th March 16:14

[GreenV8S]

It may just be overheating/oil thinned out/tired engine causing the knocking, on the other hand you could have just shafted the engine. Let it cool down, check the fluids again, see if it will turn over, if it fires check the oil pressure immediately.

[F908 Tim]

Does it start again?
if so...then what?
Is the Oil contaminated,with water?

Doesn't sound good to date.

[WorGC]

Thanks for getting back lads. Oil pressure was fine (gauge was horizontal), but the water temp went through the roof after 5 mins so I stopped. It started after 20 minutes cooling but went hot again so I got it towed. The oil looked cleanish, but had whiteish stuff floating in the swirl tank. Pleased.

[GreenV8S]

Sounds like a simple case of overheating then. There's a chance that it will have damaged the engine but if you were driving gently and switched off soon enough you may have got away with it.

I suggest you confirm you still have a fanbelt, bleed the radiator (bleed screw in the top left corner) and check the coolant level again. Next time you start it up, watch the temperature gauge like a hawk, put the heater in the 'hot' position with the fan on and confirm you get hot air out as soon as the engine starts to warm up. This proves you have some water circulation. Ideally, locate the otter switch (in the top hose, by the radiator) and confirm that when you dhort the two wires together the fan comes on. If the fan isn't working it'll overheat within a few minutes of stationary/slow running.

[WorGC]

Thanks for the class advice. That's me Sunday gone I guess! I hope I haven't buggered the engine, coz the car's lovely. I think my missus is gonna have to take a backseat for a few weekends. Roll on Le Mans....

[WildfireS3]

Check the fan belt + check for any leaks in the hoses. Also check the pipe from the Swirl pot to the expansion tank (including the small pipe in the expansion tank).

Good the see the NE will not be without an S, now I've left.

[spitamenes]

hi maybe your head gaskets gone? the white stuff floating in the swirl pot could be oil mixed with water.this would also cause overheating.

[WorGC]

I think I'm going to send it back to the garage I bought it from. I've got the chance to buy a fully rebuilt 3000s ('78). At least I know it isn't going to blow up. I'll let yous know what I get up to. Cheers boys!

[WorGC]

Just a quick update...my recent purchase is now running fine thanks to a re-connected radiator hose (doh!). I'm going to get a good friends and expert V6 rebuilder to check the gaskets and flush everything, but otherwise Roll on Bank Holiday! Thanks again for all the advice!