It's broken

[talon]

Remember my little coolant leak?

Automotive International called me yesterday around 2:00 to tell me that they had stripped the cam covers and aux belts off the car and were pretty sure that 'coolant leak' was a blown head gasket    They will know more today after the motor is out. The net of that is $1200 for the head kit and another $600 for new studs, which are highly recommended. 


Then, at 6:00 last night, I get a call from Dave at Lotus USA... Apparently, AI had called him later in the day to get some details about the cars history and he recognized it as being mine. He just wanted to let me know that he didn't think it was the head gasket, as he has never seen one go in a V8. In his word, 'It just doesn't happen'. He expects it to be a corroded bolt right below the head that actually penetrates the water jacket.     He did mention that if it is actually the head gasket, AI will need to remove the sump, crank, and con rods in order to clamp the liners in place so the Nikasil doesnt form leaks when the head comes off  Basically, a rebuild... $$$


Sooooooo - Here is hoping that Lotus is right and AI just can't see it correctly with the motor in place. I'm going over there later today, so I guess I'll find out

On the plus side, I somehow doubt Ford or GM corporate would have called me about any of the other cars being in the shop. That is true service.   

[Y2K SILVER BULLET]

Holy crap.  I'll cross my fingers and say a prayer to the Lotus gods for you.

[S4 Esprit]

I was instantly highly dobtful that you had blown a headgasket in the V8.  Those engines were made to hold 500hp+ and popping a gasket would take some considerable effort or overheating.  It would be like a Volvo with a broken airbag...it just doesn't happen.

I'm encouraged to see that Lotus USA keeps up with their cars so well.  They must realize how important brand image is to an exotic car.

And now for a random smiley   

[talon]

Well - it HAS overheated on me twice. It basically just pukes coolant out of the overflow (conveniently located in the passenger side rear wheelwell  ). I have got it shut down very quickly both times, so we'll see. I'm heading over in an hour or so.

[Mrs. Man of Steel]

holy crap...hope Lotus knows what they are talking about!

[Burple_X]

9:33PM and no word... bet he's in a bar somewhere... smashed.  Probably trying to figure out how many trips to the blood bank and sperm bank it's gonna take to pay for repairs. 

[Man of Steel]

You

are

evil.

 





 

[Burple_X]

Hey

it's 

what

I

would

be

doing!

 

[talon]

I was actually in a bar. Feeling sorry for myself.


Although they don't have the motor out yet, they have enought 'stuff' out of the way that they could show me the leak and it is definitely the head gasket. It's not a bad leak and hasn't pentrated any of the oiling system. It may be dumping some coolant into the cylinders, which would explain why the car has been down on power the past couple months.

...So in addition to the regular B service, I need a gasket kit and new studs.

Questions that have already come up: 
1 - They are going to leave the tranny in the car. Since it is accessible, should I go ahead and do the clutch?
2 - Do I want them to detail the engine and engine bay while it is out?
3 - Since the exhaust is already off, do I want to have them make the upgrades I had been planning (lose the muffler, center exit exhaust)?
4 - I have heard some people say that if you pull one head, you should pull the other...

I hate cars right now.

[Burple_X]

...you forgot one.

5 - Sell it for scrap iron and buy the new Nissan rocket ship 

[talon]

I've nver owned a Jap brand car and I never will. If it was not for the fact that I already know how much more expensive they are to maintain than the Esprit, the only other supercar I'd have would be Italian $$$

[Y2K SILVER BULLET]

I guess it depends on the $$$$ you are willing to drop.  Putting in the BOVs at this point would be easy too.......

I'd have them look at the clutch.  (new one is $2200 + $975 if the flywheel is bad)

The repair shouldn't be too much, replane the head, new gasket, bolts and torque it all down.  However you did buy an exotic car.

[S4 Esprit]

Questions that have already come up: 
1 - They are going to leave the tranny in the car. Since it is accessible, should I go ahead and do the clutch?
2 - Do I want them to detail the engine and engine bay while it is out?
3 - Since the exhaust is already off, do I want to have them make the upgrades I had been planning (lose the muffler, center exit exhaust)?
4 - I have heard some people say that if you pull one head, you should pull the other...

I hate cars right now.

1.  Yes, but that advice comes from a guy who just bought a new clutch for $450.
2.  No...it doesn't make the car faster and you can't see your engine anyway
3.  Yes...now you're thinking
4.  No.  You might have a bad Kidney, but as long as the other one works, don't mess with it

You actually love cars right now.  Imagine how sweet it will be with the new exhaust! 

[talon]

Well, she's STILL in the shop. there is a chance I'll get it back late next week. Fingers cro$$ed.

[Y2K SILVER BULLET]

Good luck man!


I'll be thinking of you when I uncover mine later to take out to happy hour!