Engine buggered?

Archives Known Problems
1

It may be. Awaiting further news following my oil leak at Anglesey.First prognosis is excessive crank case pressure which led to an oil seal blowing out. Have low compression on two cylinders, awaiting head removal. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]

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Fingers crossed that it’s not too ����� Russ.Let us know how you get on.

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Cheers chaps. I did take the Lotus extended warranty, so this will be a good test of its usefulness - I can just see it now…“sorry sir, it is not covered due to the fact that you were wearing socks at the time, the day of the week had a letter “Y” in it, etc.,etc.,”

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Russ…very bad news…have there been any symptoms prior to the problem…how much oil were you consuming…how many miles on the clock?If its not covered under warranty…how about starting with a cheap standard engine ( http://www.thelotuscentre.co.uk under special offers ) and building your own spec…must be cheaper way to 200bhp than splashing out on VHPD?

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Russ, are you running the 190 with breather kit or no breather kit?? I still haven’t plumped for the 190 (but will) and am weighing up the full kit with breathing and catch tank, maybe precisely for this reason.Jed

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Am running the breather kit, but the catch tank seemed to have an overflow problem…21,500 miles on the clock. I had just commented on Saturday that I had had to put more oil in than usual.As Pesky said, I had no warning in the performance department - had just been ****ing off a new Noble owner and a Ferrari 355 at Anglesey, plus a VERY hacked off new Tuscan and several TVR racers with no (noticeable) reduction in power.Steve - you read my mind - am already on with discussions on the engine. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by RussT:Steve - you read my mind - am already on with discussions on the engine. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] Russ - let me know how you get on…Im using copious amounts of oil and spitting most of it straight out the back in haze and smoke…so expect to be in a similar predicament shortly…

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This seems to be a pretty regular occurence with these engines. My engine used an enormous amount of oil until Nick Whale’s rebuilt the engine at 5000 miles. New pistons, liners, head gasket, and valve seals. Now it’s using a very reasonable amount of oil (something like half a litre in 3000 miles). It used less than a quarter of a litre when I did my track day at Mallory!My advice is that they really shouldn’t use a lot of oil so if they do, and you have a warranty, you should really push to get the thing sorted before it gets worse.

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Russ TWhat was the outcome of your oil leak at Anglesey - did you get it sorted?BrendanDid you have to stomp up full wedge for your engine rebuild or did your warranty help you out??Perhaps you would let me knowMike

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Mike,My engine is now rebuilt but am still awaiting a decision from the Warranty people about what is to be paid for. I have not had a bill yet, but rest assured, I will let the board know what happens…By the by, keep an eye on your crank oil seals, as according to the Elise tech board, this is a common problem in high spec K-series, and we do not have an oil pressure gauge, so by the time you know something has gone wrong, it could be too late. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]

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quote:we do not have an oil pressure gauge, so by the time you know something has gone wrong, it could be too late.Hmmm… Back to my thread of ages ago about fitting oil pressure / temperature gauges to the Exige…

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Well having just returned from a brief trip to Scotland (1000 miles in 3 days), I am alarmed to find that my oil consumption has gone up to 3 litres in that mileage. Previously, I had used 11.5 litres in 5.5k miles…so its gone from 478 miles a litre to 353 miles a litre. Last time Lotus said useage was within expected tolerances…I wonder if it still is!!!

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Yikes! That sounds pretty bad, Steve.In resonse to Mike’s question (which I missed until now), my engine rebuild was done under warranty.I think you might need more of the same.

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Steve, I may have mentioned this before - check your crank oil seal for leaks. But, if you have to pull your engine apart, talk nicely to your bank manager… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]

15

quote:Originally posted by RussT:Steve, I may have mentioned this before - check your crank oil seal for leaks(Russ - these were actually renewed together with the main engine/gearbox seal just a couple of thou miles ago and there is no sign underneath of leaks…in fact its very obvious that the oil is coming out the exhaust, especially on anything other than small throttle movements.

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Steve, I am no mechanic, but I would seriously consider getting it checked out. At least a compression check - that would show up potential problems. It may save you further grief - do not forget, my bill should be ITRO �3K, and if the crank had not been ok…I shudder to think [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]