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[RonaldMcBurger]

The 2000 facelift Elite LPG project had a major setback. You will remember I changed the engine last month but have been unable to make progress since due to the weather.

On Friday I actually got to the stage where I could start the engine. Now, the prebvious engine was replaced due to what seemed like oil pump failure. This meant oil starvation to the top, hence it sounded like a bag of spanners. Well, thsi one is worse! On starting I was expecting some cam noise initially, but this was like a Simca 1100! As tappety as it can get, PLUS a nasty squeek that got worse after 10 minutes.

Decided to flsuh the oil through, change filter and then top up with hyudraulic tappet treatment. Laidback and I did that this morning and decided the squeek was possibly bthe camnbelt tensioner. So, strip the front off and investigate with a view to changing cambelt, tensioners and water pump anyway. No obvious location for the squeek when cranking by hand, except it seemed to be near the crank.

Well, on further thought it seems the most likely culprit is the oil pump again. There is definitely a lack of oil to the top and a phone call to my breaker mate revealed that the engine had been sat in hius garage for around 2-3 months before I collected it. I fitted it nearly 6 weeks ago, so basically 4 months minimum since it last ran. Add to that the fact that the oil was on minimum when I got it and that spells disaster. Mark quite rightly thinks that the squeek is cosistant with water vapour/dampness geting to the main bearing shells, which is pretty terminal. Surface rust on a main bearing is about as critical as iut gets.

So, believe it or not, this car will have to get another engine transplant. I have a second engine I can get from my mate. This time, it is still in the car and has a suspected DIS pack failure. I will hear it tomorrow and if that seems likely I will replace the DIS pack whilst it is still in that car to make sure. If it is ok I will have the engine out of that one on the basis it is topped up with oil first and is fitted in my Elite within 3 days.

I now need another engine crane. The actual changing of the engine is not that hard. The problem I have is the extra wiring for the LPG which I just finished soldering in again. Plkus the additional plumbing etc.

TRhis project has so far taken me 3 months and is now back to the beginning.  Gearbox and exhaust syetm off and both radiators out plus a LOT of extra work. However, this time I do intend to do the rocker gaskets and BOTh manifold gaskets before fitting the engine just to make sure. Oil cooler will probably be done too as will thermostat housing. If I do this engine change, the engien will look like new before it goes in.

I will have the old engine to play with, but no where to keep it. So, breaking it apart again. Heads are good, so if anyone wants a pair of 2.5 heads let me know. All ancilliaries again, so I will then have 3 spare alternators, 4 air con compressors and a sdhed ful of other crap.

Oh well. Here we go again.

[Danny]

the way i look at it, the longer you take to sort it, the more money i'll have saved to buy it providing I can get a decent insurance quote

[Marks DTM Calib]

Why dont you get the replacement power plant, dump it on my engine stand in my garage and we can check it over, change manifold gaskets etc etc before fitting.

All in the relative warmth of my garage and mounted on an engine stand makes it easy to get at everything.

Should mean minimal work under the bonnet to.

[TheBoy]

Why dont you get the replacement power plant, dump it on my engine stand in my garage and we can check it over, change manifold gaskets etc etc before fitting.

All in the relative warmth of my garage and mounted on an engine stand makes it easy to get at everything.

Should mean minimal work under the bonnet to.

I wish I lived nearer Nottingham sometimes - engine stands and warm garages on hand

[Matchless]

MrMcB, when you drained the oil was there any sign of water in the sump? If the engine had been left with the oil filler cap off etc  when stored in the open then it could have accumulated quite a bit of water, oil floats on water so the pump would pick up the water rather than oil. Otherwise I cant see that a lack of use would cause any damage to internals.
The a/c compressor pulley bearings and alternator bearings dont like getting damp as I know to my cost.

[Kevin Wood]

Another theory..

I don't suppose the oil pump had dried out in storage and didn't re-prime properly?

Probably academic now if it's run for 10 minutes but I have found if you remove the oil filter and pressurise the crankcase a little by blocking all the breathers bar one and blowing or using an airline to gently apply pressure, you can draw oil up through the pump and out of the filter housing to ensure the pump is wet before cranking.

Oh, well, I think getting an engine that you've heard running is the answer so let's hope 3rd time lucky.

Cheers,

Kevin

[RonaldMcBurger]

MrMcB, when you drained the oil was there any sign of water in the sump? If the engine had been left with the oil filler cap off etc  when stored in the open then it could have accumulated quite a bit of water, oil floats on water so the pump would pick up the water rather than oil. Otherwise I cant see that a lack of use would cause any damage to internals.
The a/c compressor pulley bearings and alternator bearings dont like getting damp as I know to my cost.

No signs of water Matchy babe. When I got this engine it was lowish on oil, needed about 1ltr. But filler cap was still on and disptck was in. So, I don't really see how moisture could have got in.

the squeek is definitely NOT the ancilliaries. We could get the squeek when we turned by hand, so only things moving should be......

Crankshaft, flywheel, oil pump, camshafts, valves and finally daves arm as he did most the cranking. Now, unless Laidback is going rusty it is the engine. Noise was definitely at or around the crank pully. Other possibility is some small partical behiund the pully, but I will check more thrououghly latyer today or tomorrw when I get a break. TBH my back isn't up to this at all today.

If I can solbe this wothout changing the engine, then great. Otherwise, out it comes again.  

one thing to note is the quote from my breaker mate. 'It was running absolutely sweet. Drove back from Cornwall, fantastic engine. I wanted to kep it for myself as a spare. I drained the oil off a bit before I gave you the engine.'

Now, the last sentence makes absolutely no sense at all. Why would anyone do that? And how? The drain plug hadn't been moved, so why would anyone say that?

Answer: Lying B@satard!

Note: squeek sounds metalic and there is some small resistance too. A bit like a buckled disk. Could be the flywheel I suppose?? I hope not.

[Baron Von Spongebob]

I drained the oil off a bit before I gave you the engine.'


Lying B@satard!  

He must be a part time politican...