Discussion
Just thought I would add my pennies worth to a recurring subject.
After a tricky MOT pass, the guy who gamely helps me look after my R500 said I should get it hooked up to a laptop and have it checked by someone who knows what they are doing; something about ECU, sensors blah blah..
With the annual trip to Le Mans coming up, I thought it might be time to go to Minister and have them scare me with tales of doom. So off I went.
They put the laptop on and said my engine was fine, spot-on the spec. They did object to the fact that my radiator was leaking coolant all over their floor (must have picked up a hole on the way) but they kindly fixed that with one they had 'out the back'.
When asked why I had brought it in, I told them the comments I had received, plus the engine was 'getting on'. 'How many miles?' they asked. '21,000 on this engine' was the roundabout reply. (Currently 29,000 miles on the clock, but had a refresh at 8k when I got it).
This left them aghast; the fact that an R500 engine would do 20k miles+ and that any fool would do the miles in it (aeroscreen etc)
Well, to all those who bang on about R500s, refreshes and blow-ups, mine has dutifully done a number of Euro tours, some extensive UK tours and a decent bag of national and international track days. It still goes like stink and never fails to please.
That said, having seen the Minister guys go mental at the mileage I will finally succumb to common sense and book it in when I am back from Le Mans.
And if you see a mango R500 on the side of the road on the way to/from Le Mans, and swerve past bits of twisted black metal on the road, then you know a refresh is required every 21k miles.
Me, I am hoping it is every 22k.
After a tricky MOT pass, the guy who gamely helps me look after my R500 said I should get it hooked up to a laptop and have it checked by someone who knows what they are doing; something about ECU, sensors blah blah..
With the annual trip to Le Mans coming up, I thought it might be time to go to Minister and have them scare me with tales of doom. So off I went.
They put the laptop on and said my engine was fine, spot-on the spec. They did object to the fact that my radiator was leaking coolant all over their floor (must have picked up a hole on the way) but they kindly fixed that with one they had 'out the back'.
When asked why I had brought it in, I told them the comments I had received, plus the engine was 'getting on'. 'How many miles?' they asked. '21,000 on this engine' was the roundabout reply. (Currently 29,000 miles on the clock, but had a refresh at 8k when I got it).
This left them aghast; the fact that an R500 engine would do 20k miles+ and that any fool would do the miles in it (aeroscreen etc)
Well, to all those who bang on about R500s, refreshes and blow-ups, mine has dutifully done a number of Euro tours, some extensive UK tours and a decent bag of national and international track days. It still goes like stink and never fails to please.
That said, having seen the Minister guys go mental at the mileage I will finally succumb to common sense and book it in when I am back from Le Mans.
And if you see a mango R500 on the side of the road on the way to/from Le Mans, and swerve past bits of twisted black metal on the road, then you know a refresh is required every 21k miles.
Me, I am hoping it is every 22k.
Murph7355 said:
Superb.
You must post on what they find when they rebuild it.
Also, any special treatment? Regularity of oil changes, type of oil etc?
In answer to a few responses (and without any technical know how):You must post on what they find when they rebuild it.
Also, any special treatment? Regularity of oil changes, type of oil etc?
I take people as I find them and Minister appeared to be a nice bunch of guys. They all stopped work to come and look at the car (partly because of the mileage, partly because it is chassis no.1)
The guy who built the engine originally (Peter I think) was still there. I wouldn't be afraid to let him have a go rebuilding it.
They quoted about £2.5 for the refresh.
The limiter is on 8,600. I drive it as fast as I can, especially on track days, but have always considered myself a sympathetic driver. I warm it up/cool it down relgiously etc.
Engine oil change once twice a year, with the Mobil Motorsport stuff. It rarely/never needs a top up.
S.
Out Run said:
...........
And if you see a mango R500 on the side of the road on the way to/from Le Mans, and swerve past bits of twisted black metal on the road, then you know a refresh is required every 21k miles.
Me, I am hoping it is every 22k.
well you might have seen me on the side of the A16 15 miles out of Calais on the Monday And if you see a mango R500 on the side of the road on the way to/from Le Mans, and swerve past bits of twisted black metal on the road, then you know a refresh is required every 21k miles.
Me, I am hoping it is every 22k.
I believe it is electrical, not entirely surprising given the submariner conditions. After 2 hours in the car Sunday evening, I had to bail out an inch from both footwells.
Another 1,200 miles down and I think a trip to Minister might be called for....
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