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[JamesV6CDX]

I have been questioning myself lately.

I've done probably over 50 cambelt changes on Omegas, more maintenance work than I care to remember, several head gaskets, and never ever had an issue.

Just recently - my MV6, which I rebuilt the top end on, threw a rod through the block 60 miles or so later. Co-incidence or not I will never know for sure, but I did the job properly, checked the strainer etc, so can't see what I could have done to cause it.

Rebuilt the top end on My Elite - it lasted a few thousand miles, before one evening dumped all it's coolant without any gauge or MID warnings. First I knew was when it stalled, by which time it was already cooked.

Now - tightening up a spark plug, using a set torque wrench, and it breaks off in the head.


I know I and other members are making light hearted fun of my recent spell of misfortune - but on a serious note, I am really questioning myself as of late  :-/

[Del Boy]

Don't worry mate, probably just a run of bad luck, like you said about all you've done and they haven't gone wrong 

[Ghost]

With your engion rebuild sounds like youve done all that you could and in the correct manner. if you had done something wrong the rod would not have done 60 miles before it wanted to c daylight so thats not your fault.
with the plug breaking off sounds more like a faulty plug.
like the saying goes "Shit happens". (sorry about my french)
so dont start losing your confidence, theres no reason to mate. most of us would not even dream of trying some of the repairs that youve done.
Keep it up

[HolyCount]

The thing to remember about all things mechanical is that they are likely to go bang at any time and without warning !!!! If evverty car you've touched went west I would be concerned -- but, two out of Lord knows how many

Being down from the mumps is blowing your doubts out of proportion.  Just my two penneth worth 

[Vamps]

Don't worry mate, probably just a run of bad luck, like you said about all you've done and they haven't gone wrong 

Take no notice, it's his son talking, cos it makes sense.....

[markey mark]

shit happens mate 

[Lazydocker]

James, we all have bad runs of luck! I know I've had a few!

Just crack on

Incidentally, if you were using a torque wrench on the plug then there is no way you got it wrong....... Unless you set the wrench up wrong which I doubt

[crazyjoetavola]

Who said that one had to have a 100% record in anything we do, James?

It's impossible target to reach, especially when dealing with a multitude of mechanical parts.

We each can be our own worst critic, but if you consider the import of your opening remarks, it can be seen that you have had considerable success up to this point, so what's a little setback when compared to that.

At times we can get too much of a particular thing, in this case the workings of your various cars, so perhaps it's time to ease up - especially if you're recovering from illness.

The car and its problem will still be there, and no doubt surrender to your touch when you're back to full health.

You are probably aware of my situation and I can assure you that I have questioned my own judgement in a similar way, on more than one occasion.  That doubt passed when I was able to step back, clear my head, and consider the problem afresh.

You will soon be back to form when you do just that.  In most cases there's a solution to the majority of problems - it's just that we can't see it for the sake of looking.

Tomorrow is another day – and always will be

[joshwyatt]

James,
I've never met you or indeed ever spoken to you. But from all the praise I've read on here from numerous members I would have no hesitation in letting you do whatever work to my Omega. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to believe in yourself after things like this happen. But rest assured other people have faith in you and your clear ability with vehicle mechanics.

[dbug]

Don't worry about it James - happens to the best of mechanics at some time.  As Mark said - "shit happens" - wise words indeed.

[Omega man 2]

Dont worry about it Have a beer or six and get a fresh start

[Chris_H]

I have been questioning myself lately.

I've done probably over 50 cambelt changes on Omegas, more maintenance work than I care to remember, several head gaskets, and never ever had an issue.

Just recently - my MV6, which I rebuilt the top end on, threw a rod through the block 60 miles or so later. Co-incidence or not I will never know for sure, but I did the job properly, checked the strainer etc, so can't see what I could have done to cause it.

Rebuilt the top end on My Elite - it lasted a few thousand miles, before one evening dumped all it's coolant without any gauge or MID warnings. First I knew was when it stalled, by which time it was already cooked.

Now - tightening up a spark plug, using a set torque wrench, and it breaks off in the head.


I know I and other members are making light hearted fun of my recent spell of misfortune - but on a serious note, I am really questioning myself as of late  :-/

The very fact that you are asking the question suggests to me that you are doing the right thing.  Incidentally I would prefer to use a T-bar on spark plugs any day, and that with the T central.  It's all too easy to put a lop-sided couple on it.

You may well be trying too hard - that comes with age and is why snooker players go off the boil in my view.  Relax, take it a bit slower and it will come back to you.

[Martin_1962]

I have always done plugs to a certain tightness whidh I have programmed myself to do.

Medium hard on a windy handle

Used since first bike

[Ken T]

Don't be daft, occasionally thing will happen with these engine things. If you think about it, to really be sure about working on an engine, you would have to use clinically clean conditions, etc to make sure no possible contamination got in. But , hey this is life we dont have access to that environment, so we do the best we can. If it threw a rod, possible causes are bad lubrication of bearings, or the rod just gave up. Unless you power flushed all oilways, you ain't going to know if there is some crap lurking there about to break free and block something. it might have been on the way out before you got it. Re the plugs, sod torque wrenches, I always tighten up hand tight plus a further 1/4 and it works for me.

A thing to do is to examine it and work out what went wrong. That way you will learn from its demise, take corrective action in future, and it won't happen again. Its called learning from mistakes. I did just the other night. I bought some "heavy duty racking" from crapbay, "designed in Germany". Oh how I fell for it.

If you imagine the old bolt together rack from Dexion, it could be pushed, bent, overloaded, stood on etc, and would still work, no distortion, and even if you really overloaded and bent it, it would still work. This crap stuff clips together, and provide the load is directly on the top, ok, but any sideways movement and the clips bend and the whole thing requires major rework to sit straight.  So I learned a lesson, no more of this clip together rubbish, Dexion rules.

I'm sure you are still good with engines, and would  trust you more than the "Pink Pair". Would you let a hairdresser near your car ?   

Ken

[zirk]

James I’ve got a 380 short Walther PPK pistol you can borrow if you want, I tried to use it on myself a few years back, but the mechanism jammed, it really is a good test to see if your lucks in at the moment.