Serious engine faults?

[Duke Thrust]

This thread has got me pondering:
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=183343&f=6&h=0

Apart from electrical problems and clutches, how many on here have suffered a serious engine fault? Ie rings, rods, bores, valves, cams etc?

From the posts that come up a serious mechanical faults as above seem pretty rare?

I'd be interested to hear what others think.

[gazzab]

I had a serious engine issue with my last cerb. Not sure what failed first but it needed total rebuild except for crank and block.
I know joolz hasnt seen many but other places seem to reasonably often have AJPS in for serious engine issues.

>> Edited by gazzab on Tuesday 3rd January 17:18

[Steve_T]

I'd expect the frequency of problems to be slightly more than those for RV8 powered TVRs, but significantly less than Speed 6 issues.

Steve.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Try this for size!

New Rods
New Block
New Crank
New Pistons
Saved Heads, and ported a little
New Valves
Same Sump

Thats what mine has had done, due to low oil pressure and a blast down Bruntinthorpes runway!

Not done by me or the previous owner, I must add!

[trackcar]

gazzab said:

I had a serious engine issue with my last cerb. Not sure what failed first but it needed total rebuild except for crank and block. I know joolz hasnt seen many but other places seem to reasonably often have AJPS in for serious engine issues. >> Edited by gazzab on Tuesday 3rd January 17:18

I've only seen 3 proper damaged engines in a decade of working on them .. beats me where these rumours of engies going pop come from... it's not from my workshop anyway

[Extra 300 Driver]

trackcar said:

gazzab said: I had a serious engine issue with my last cerb. Not sure what failed first but it needed total rebuild except for crank and block. I know joolz hasnt seen many but other places seem to reasonably often have AJPS in for serious engine issues. >> Edited by gazzab on Tuesday 3rd January 17:18 I've only seen 3 proper damaged engines in a decade of working on them .. beats me where these rumours of engies going pop come from... it's not from my workshop anyway

My engine was blown up by one of the previous owners hiding a fault with the oil pressure.

[jesfirth]

My engine lasted 60,000 miles and only went due to problems with oil starvation-which would have killed any engine regardless of the manufacturer. The new engine is 4000 miles old is absolutely flies. It's fantastic. I wouldn't want anything else.

[trooperiziz]

Mine had broken valve springs, which led to it needing a rebuild at 50000 miles.
Didn't go pop though, but that doesn't make it any cheaper

[tophat]

I'm currently in the thousand mile run-in following an engine re-build. Initial symptoms were pretty mild, so the diagnosis came as a real shock. I was getting odd puffs of what I thought to be steam very occasionally from under the bnonnet. Turned out to be oil burning off the pipes. The only other quirk was a juddering when at 120 mph I hit the accelerator a bit harder. A quick compression test later showed thta two rings were gone and the other six weren't looking too fly either. The re-build to date has cost me approximately 5 grand. All pretty nasty for a 4.5 at a mere 30,000.

[robertjp]

God somebody stop this thread before i become a jibbering wreck

Certain parts of my anatomy have acquired a twitch now...thanks guys

I can't pretend i didn't know that these things were always a possiblity, but i had shoved it at the back of a brain...stop trying to drag the thoughts back out!!!!

[purpleheadedcerb]

jesfirth said:

My engine lasted 60,000 miles and only went due to problems with oil starvation-which would have killed any engine regardless of the manufacturer. The new engine is 4000 miles old is absolutely flies. It's fantastic. I wouldn't want anything else.

Why were you getting surge? I take it this was experienced whilst sprinting the car? Just asking as I don't want to track my car without mods if you experience surge in these circumstances.

Cheers,

Scott

[jesfirth]

Hi Scott,

No it wasn't while I was sprinting because you always check the oil, and other fluid levels before a run.

It was under normal road driving. It always used a fair bit of oil cos it was a 60,000 mile engine and I didnt check it often enough so under heavy braking on steep downhill slopes-I live in the chilterns-the oil pressure would momentarily drop to zero and the orange warning light would come on for at most 2-5 seconds before the surge stopped and the pressure would return. This happened occasionally when I forgot to check the oil level on probably probably a dozen occasions but it killed the engine. needless to say i am now very very careful about my oil level and I have never had another problem.

Jes

[purpleheadedcerb]

Ah. Ok. That makes sense. My engines on 57k at the moment but I am quite anal about checking fluid levels. I have experienced surge issues twice on my Dolomite Sprint racer, both resulting in a spun bearing so I'm probably more paranoid about it than others! The reason for them on my racer was a poorly designed sump. Hopefully designed out for this season.

[ridds]

jesfirth said:

Hi Scott, No it wasn't while I was sprinting because you always check the oil, and other fluid levels before a run. It was under normal road driving. It always used a fair bit of oil cos it was a 60,000 mile engine and I didnt check it often enough so under heavy braking on steep downhill slopes-I live in the chilterns-the oil pressure would momentarily drop to zero and the orange warning light would come on for at most 2-5 seconds before the surge stopped and the pressure would return. This happened occasionally when I forgot to check the oil level on probably probably a dozen occasions but it killed the engine. needless to say i am now very very careful about my oil level and I have never had another problem. Jes

Blimey! Never ever drive with that light on. Even for a fraction of a second. Once that is on you have serious issues and you should stop straight away. But you know that now.