HGF already!!!!!

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

That didn’t take long…

Car was running at idle for a while, got to the end of my road and bobs your uncle - temperature gauge hitting 130 (has been reading high on and off since buying it but no other signs) header tank boiling over and oil filler cap full of cream that almost burnt my other halfs hand off.

Been in touch with Sinclairs and Hanger 111 - Sinclairs are quoting around the 1k mark including skimming etc etc.

With the mileage now exceeding 60k I’m in a quandry as to what to do next - whether to really break my bank and do a full engine rebuild at around 3k or just deal with the HGF.

Whats your thoughts and advice guys?

Maybe Jon choosing this Username was Karma!!

Thanks,
An unhappy girl :frowning:

2

Really sorry to hear your news.

3

Sorry to hear this.

Do you know if the engine ever been rebuilt/ had hgf in the past?

Personally I’d get the head off to see why it failed, check the bores for wear, check cylinder liner heights - then decide the best way forward.

The hgf only fix sounds best to me, but depends on the above.

4

Hard luck…know how you feel …my HGF cost 800 at GST Newmarket.No skimming though.
@ 60k you will be ready for a thorough refresh depending on what kind of usage it has had…
Its still worth it though… :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

5

Oh No, real sorry to hear this !!

Agree with SimonE and would have look to see why HGF occurred then go from there.

You could also try these guys based by the Airport who fixed a friends VVC’d Elise HGF to an excellent standard for around �500

British Legends,
Unit 1,
Robert Leonard Industrial Park,
Aviation Way,
Southend-On-Sea,
Essex,
SS2 6UN
Tel: 01702 511123
Web: http://www.britishlegends.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]

6

That is just so bad luck… not the best way to start Exige S1 ownership :<(

If your temps got to 130 degs, you may have caused other damage that wont be apparant until just replacing the Head Gasket…

My car had HGF on its first engine that led to overheating… it was decided by the Lotus dealer that the only way to ensure future reliability was to replace the engine in toto.

A lot depends on how you see your future with the car… if it is a keeper, then IMHO you would be better to re-build the who thing and then enjoy many happy miles of trouble free motoring!

Get an expert opinion however! :slight_smile:

7

Second for british legends, say Adrian sent you Steve will look after you, you will see my Mum’s classic mini in the corner the other guy that owns the workshop is renovating for us.

[quote=Gus]Oh No, real sorry to hear this !!

Agree with SimonE and would have look to see why HGF occurred then go from there.

You could also try these guys based by the Airport who fixed a friends VVC’d Elise HGF to an excellent standard for around �500

British Legends,
Unit 1,
Robert Leonard Industrial Park,
Aviation Way,
Southend-On-Sea,
Essex,
SS2 6UN
Tel: 01702 511123
Web: http://www.britishlegends.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]

[/quote]

8

Can you skim the head on a K Series, I did not think this was possible as it led to other problems, could well be wrong but some one on this forum will know.

Sorry to here of your problems, if doing a rebuild I would recomend putting a PRT on at the same time.

With the head off I would look at any liner wear and make the decision then.

9

Thanks for all your replies guys.

10

That’s bad luck stretchbolt. Give Paul at PSR Automotive (Bishops Stortford) a call as well, he’s very helpful and has worked on K powered S1 Exiges.

11

Yeah skimming isn’t a problem, as long as it hasn’t been skimmed too much already.

As has been said, when you get the head off, make sure you have a good look and a measure of liner heights etc. Make sure they use the correct head gasket and fit the PRT as has also been said.

To be honest its only a days work (not including the skimming) so shouldn’t be too expensive.

Sean…

12

While the head is off, a very good modification is to fit the later oil ladder (the bit the head bolts screw into) the later one as fitted to late model Freelanders is much stronger and stiffens the block up and is supposed to help with HGF’s
See this link for picture http://www.mgfcar.de/hgf/LR_rail.jpg
Part number is LCN000140L Price is around �40 To fit you just need to remove manifold and drop the sump. Cheers Tony

13

Hey up - this is not advice - just what I have done…

I have had the car for 4 years now - I think.

I took mine to anglesey track day earlier this year knowing that at 53k and using bags of oil something was going to go!

I had just fitted the remote stat but still suffered HGF (classic elastomer fail) on the PM session (pity as it was a cracking day upto then :slight_smile:.

Fortunately I had planned on a rebuild anyway so it wasnt a shock. Its had plenty of spirited use on the road and a couple of track outings.

Dave Andrews has just rebuilt it and I have yet to put it back in. I’m fannying about minting up various bits before putting it back together.

Basically the motor was next door to FUBARed. The mains were picking up, bores(liners) worn etc… As suspected it was more that ready for a reight good fettlin’.

So pistons, bearings, liners, head port, new oil ladder, bolts, piper cams (already had verniers and an Emerald fitted), sump baffles, release bearing, clutch and the whole lot balanced etc…

Oil filter mount was cracked and since discovered the electric water pump (kicks in to recirc coolant engine off) was not working neither was the IACV.

I managed to get a mount from a great bloke who is also an Exiger or it would av been �120+

Aircon compressor pipe unions were corroded and new ones swaged on (not tested it yet so may be more problems up front).

Basically its going to cost me best part of �4k to get it running again but I’m happy its all been done as it will be like new.

So if its done 60k with no history of a refresh - get ready!

Good luck and although its not running yet Dave seems to have done a great job and was good to deal with - he knows his onions that chap :slight_smile:

Cheers

Simon

14

Strechbolt,

Did you get it sorted as i’m looking forward to seeing it back on the Essex roads!!

15

Not yet sadly Gus,

I’m told by the other half that the next job is to get it on the hoist…if its nice on Saturday we will get on the case then hopefully.

We recently took on a four legged friend so spent some time with the doggy and selling the Audi to make way for the estate.

Hoping to be back on the road again around April time.

Have you been out on the roads much lately???

16

[quote=Stretchbolt]Not yet sadly Gus,

I’m told by the other half that the next job is to get it on the hoist…[/quote]

I believe the question was about your car, not your private life! :wink:

17

The engine is finally out and in the hands of Sinclaires…a full refresh requested :sunglasses:

Any advisories on engine enhancements whilst the engine is on the bench??

Not specifically looking for power gains just no brainer modifications.

Thanks guys…hopefully be passing you on the road soon :wink:

18

Only one I can think of and that is to fit the PRT kit, They will need to fit a different a thermostat bypass during the rbuild

19

Fitting Piper verniers would be beneficial :slight_smile:

20

baffled sump