This is a strange one - engine twisting on its mounts?
Discussion
While enjoying some spirited driving following getting my car back from an Emerald ECU fit by the excellent Joolz at Kits and Classics I had to stop, as a cloud of steam erupted from under the bonnet.
On inspection there was coolant sprayed everywhere, but I couldn't see where it was coming from. Fortunately I was half a mile from home and got the car back, keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge.
After a good look I found the problem.
It seems the engine has been twisting on its mounts enough that the top right hand (when looking at the engine from the front) belt pulley has been hitting the swirl pot inlet spout. Over time its carved through the aluminium and I now have a hole in the swirl pot spout. This means the engine is twisting enough to raise the pulley by over an inch.
As a temporary fix I've managed to pull the silicone pipe down over the hole.
So the questions are; why has there been contact? And how do I stop it happening again and eating another swirl pot? Has anyone else suffered similar?
It is a case of old and weak engine mount rubbers? Are there stronger ones out there as better replacements?
I'm open to suggestions.
Many thanks.
On inspection there was coolant sprayed everywhere, but I couldn't see where it was coming from. Fortunately I was half a mile from home and got the car back, keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge.
After a good look I found the problem.
It seems the engine has been twisting on its mounts enough that the top right hand (when looking at the engine from the front) belt pulley has been hitting the swirl pot inlet spout. Over time its carved through the aluminium and I now have a hole in the swirl pot spout. This means the engine is twisting enough to raise the pulley by over an inch.
As a temporary fix I've managed to pull the silicone pipe down over the hole.
So the questions are; why has there been contact? And how do I stop it happening again and eating another swirl pot? Has anyone else suffered similar?
It is a case of old and weak engine mount rubbers? Are there stronger ones out there as better replacements?
I'm open to suggestions.
Many thanks.
Hi Ian 
.. lucky to be close to home !
Yes .. engine mount will have failed which causes the nearside to lift under hard acceleration. I've only seen it once before to that extent .. when I worked at Harrogate Horseless a customer came in with an issue .. every time he changed gear under hard acceleration the car made a big bang.
It took me a while to figure it out until I did the acceleration run with my hand remaining on the gear lever .. I felt it moving upwards, then banging back down when releasing the power .. so yes the engine can certainly move far enough to cause that if the mount has failed.
Some people say the new mounts are not as good quality as the older ones, and as mentioned above there are restrained/caged versions ..I think SC Power did them ?
On the upside, can I now advertise that the Emerald conversions are so powerful they break engine mounts!!?
PS I like the login name.
.. lucky to be close to home !
Yes .. engine mount will have failed which causes the nearside to lift under hard acceleration. I've only seen it once before to that extent .. when I worked at Harrogate Horseless a customer came in with an issue .. every time he changed gear under hard acceleration the car made a big bang.
It took me a while to figure it out until I did the acceleration run with my hand remaining on the gear lever .. I felt it moving upwards, then banging back down when releasing the power .. so yes the engine can certainly move far enough to cause that if the mount has failed.
Some people say the new mounts are not as good quality as the older ones, and as mentioned above there are restrained/caged versions ..I think SC Power did them ?
On the upside, can I now advertise that the Emerald conversions are so powerful they break engine mounts!!?
PS I like the login name.
Edited by spitfire4v8 on Friday 28th June 08:58
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