Back from MOT, driving home the engine drops onto 3 cylinders with resulting vibration. Metallic sounds.....
I clean the plugs and test, no change.
The release bearing is very noisy too.
So, no driving the car unless further damage results. The engine has to come out - the plan is to build a 'new' standard-capacity engine. Max finds a reconditioned (lined) L block on eBay, I collect it from Suffolk.
Lakeside are very busy at the moment so not sure when the engine will be built. More news when I have it.
Thanks for Tim at Lakeside for this picture, though.
MOT due at the end of February, and this coincided with the start of our house extension (first task, garage demolition). So the Elan was sent to Lakeside Car Spa for the MOT plus some attention to a few items that either didn't get done last year or have appeared over the last few months.
MOT passed, no problems.
Starting problem traced to faulty battery - only 2 years old.....!!
New component for the drivers door locking mechanism fabricated and fitted locally.
Both doors adjusted so they protrude less; trim refixed
Loose magnet in driver's door window motor refixed; window operation faster and quieter
Diff level fine, gearbox needed about .5l, leak traced to speedo take-off, new O rings fitted
Trunions greased
Headlight system checked for vacuum leaks, no problem found.
N/s headlight bezel adjusted so it doesn't catch on the bodywork.
Driver's seat moved forward
Silencers strap shortened to lift & level silencer
Under-dash trim and wiring tidied
Speedo trip reset ‘rod’ made up and fitted
Remaining work? Three areas:
1. Engine & transmission - oil consumption and leaks, mid-range vibration, noisy clutch release bearing. Current thoughts, replace long block with standard.
2. Bonnet height (due to tall block) and chips and scrapes to paint on bonnet. If standard block fitted then problem solved and paintwork can be redone
3. Driver's door frame damage and resulting cracks to fibreglass. Current thoughts - reprofile fibreglass to suit the frame.
In the short term the car will be driven but no long journeys in case of release bearing failure.
A temporary garage found at Pauline's friend Liz's house. Very good of her.
