Engine gone pop! |
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Engine gone pop! |
Ben Nichols |
May 27 2019, 05:43 AM
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#1
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 12-February 19 From: Southampton UK Member No.: 22,873 Region Association: Europe |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
Hi All Me again.......... So, was taking the car to have the carbs set up this morning, got about a mile and a half and it stopped. Started popping and then one final pop/fart noise and it died. The AA (recovery guys in the UK) came and found no spark. He thought the distributor had failed - removed it and it seemed fine. Then he thought maybe the distributor drive gear - we removed that and it seems fine, the gears are good, it seats properly. We did get a spark but not a reliable one. He thinks it could be the drive gear on the crankshaft that has failed and the lack of drive is causing the problem to the drive gear and on to the distributor........ My questions I guess are: 1. Is this likely/possible? Would it just fail with no warning? 2. How is it possible to check, or isn't it? 3. It sounds like a full strip down again.......tell me its not although I am pretty sure it is 4. Any other explanation for the fault.........? Any help appreciated - I was planning on taking the car to Le Mans in 3 weeks which looks unlikely...... Thanks Ben |
wndsrfr |
May 27 2019, 05:48 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,430 Joined: 30-April 09 From: Rescue, Virginia Member No.: 10,318 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Be careful to see that the points are operating properly in the distributor I've seen the phenolic rub bar worn down and not operating properly at all...
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Ben Nichols |
May 27 2019, 06:14 AM
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#3
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 12-February 19 From: Southampton UK Member No.: 22,873 Region Association: Europe |
Be careful to see that the points are operating properly in the distributor I've seen the phenolic rub bar worn down and not operating properly at all... The AA man said they were fine, its really confusing as it had been running fine and was rebuilt only last year, only done about 400 miles since |
TheCabinetmaker |
May 27 2019, 07:06 AM
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#4
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I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,301 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
Condenser! Won't run if it's fried. Btw, is a recovery guy a tow truck driver? If so, he doesn't know crap about your 914
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Superhawk996 |
May 27 2019, 07:08 AM
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#5
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,884 Joined: 25-August 18 From: Woods of N. Idaho Member No.: 22,428 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
Time to work the basics.
Only 3 reasons an engine won't run: No Spark - easy to check. No Fuel - easy to provide via starting fluid No compression easy to check with compression gauge. Everything else on the engine is function of providing the 3 things above in the proper sequence. Work though the basics in the order listed. Popping & backfiring noises are a result of spark coming at the wrong time (i.e. timing & dwell) or wrong fuel mixture. Guessing doesn't work. Get a shop manual - doesn't have to be factory manual. Haynes is fine. |
Tdskip |
May 27 2019, 07:09 AM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,686 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Agree that sounds electrical, and condenser is a good place to start.
The AA guys in the UK are actually much more mechanically aware than what we see in the US, not uncommon for them to fix roadside issues actually. |
barefoot |
May 27 2019, 03:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,279 Joined: 19-March 13 From: Charleston SC Member No.: 15,673 Region Association: South East States |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Hi All Me again.......... So, was taking the car to have the carbs set up this morning, got about a mile and a half and it stopped. Started popping and then one final pop/fart noise and it died. The AA (recovery guys in the UK) came and found no spark. He thought the distributor had failed - removed it and it seemed fine. Then he thought maybe the distributor drive gear - we removed that and it seems fine, the gears are good, it seats properly. We did get a spark but not a reliable one. He thinks it could be the drive gear on the crankshaft that has failed and the lack of drive is causing the problem to the drive gear and on to the distributor........ My questions I guess are: 1. Is this likely/possible? Would it just fail with no warning? 2. How is it possible to check, or isn't it? 3. It sounds like a full strip down again.......tell me its not although I am pretty sure it is 4. Any other explanation for the fault.........? Any help appreciated - I was planning on taking the car to Le Mans in 3 weeks which looks unlikely...... Thanks Ben If it ran this morning the drive gears did not wear out in a short trip, not a mechanical issue. The crank drive gear is very robust. did you run out of fuel, or fuel pump stop running ?? Check the point dwell and condenser |
worn |
May 27 2019, 04:24 PM
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#8
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can't remember Group: Members Posts: 3,161 Joined: 3-June 11 From: Madison, WI Member No.: 13,152 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Agree that sounds electrical, and condenser is a good place to start. The AA guys in the UK are actually much more mechanically aware than what we see in the US, not uncommon for them to fix roadside issues actually. Also, now that you have pulled both distributor and the drive gear the timing is probably off. That can keep the car from running, although you should still have some spark. Do you have a timing light? |
Ben Nichols |
May 29 2019, 11:54 PM
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#9
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 12-February 19 From: Southampton UK Member No.: 22,873 Region Association: Europe |
Thanks for the help guys.
I have admitted defeat and found a specialist who now has the car and will hopefully sort it one way or the other...... Ben |
Tdskip |
May 30 2019, 07:16 AM
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#10
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,686 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None |
Thanks for the help guys. I have admitted defeat and found a specialist who now has the car and will hopefully sort it one way or the other...... Ben There is absolutely nothing wrong in knowing when it’s time to call in a professional. Please let us know what ended up being the problem and here is to a fast return of the car to you so you can get some driving in. |
Ben Nichols |
Jul 15 2019, 12:50 PM
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#11
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 12-February 19 From: Southampton UK Member No.: 22,873 Region Association: Europe |
Thanks for the help guys. I have admitted defeat and found a specialist who now has the car and will hopefully sort it one way or the other...... Ben There is absolutely nothing wrong in knowing when it’s time to call in a professional. Please let us know what ended up being the problem and here is to a fast return of the car to you so you can get some driving in. Well, so an update. Basically it seems the cam is worn out which means the valves cant be adjusted properly, meaning it's never run right and it giving up was the final straw. The carbs couldn't be set up properly and it was impossible to tune. Anyway it's now at a proper engine builders in the uk (they build lots of race and fast road engines, called GAC if anyone has heard of them) having a new cam and followers and a full going over, should be ready in about 8 weeks with about 130hp. I dont want anymore, just for it to be reliable and not too complex. I'll let you all know when it's done Ben |
mepstein |
Jul 15 2019, 01:08 PM
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#12
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914-6 GT in waiting Group: Members Posts: 19,308 Joined: 19-September 09 From: Landenberg, PA/Wilmington, DE Member No.: 10,825 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Thanks for the help guys. I have admitted defeat and found a specialist who now has the car and will hopefully sort it one way or the other...... Ben There is absolutely nothing wrong in knowing when it’s time to call in a professional. Please let us know what ended up being the problem and here is to a fast return of the car to you so you can get some driving in. Well, so an update. Basically it seems the cam is worn out which means the valves cant be adjusted properly, meaning it's never run right and it giving up was the final straw. The carbs couldn't be set up properly and it was impossible to tune. Anyway it's now at a proper engine builders in the uk (they build lots of race and fast road engines, called GAC if anyone has heard of them) having a new cam and followers and a full going over, should be ready in about 8 weeks with about 130hp. I dont want anymore, just for it to be reliable and not too complex. I'll let you all know when it's done Ben (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
Cairo94507 |
Jul 15 2019, 01:27 PM
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#13
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Michael Group: Members Posts: 9,815 Joined: 1-November 08 From: Auburn, CA Member No.: 9,712 Region Association: Northern California |
Keep us updated with pics so we can enjoy it with you. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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burton73 |
Jul 15 2019, 02:55 PM
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#14
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burton73 Group: Members Posts: 3,540 Joined: 2-January 07 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 7,414 Region Association: Southern California |
Hi Ben,
We have AA - Auto Atlanta Dr. 914 George, and AAA Automobile Club roadside repair and AA alcoholics anonymous 12 steps programs. Some of our members could use a 12-step program for buying to many cars or parts to the point where it may be a problem. Cheers to you my 914 Brother Bob B (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
Ben Nichols |
Jul 15 2019, 04:40 PM
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#15
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 22 Joined: 12-February 19 From: Southampton UK Member No.: 22,873 Region Association: Europe |
Here is a link to a magazine feature of the guys doing the work...proper old skool engineers, amazing what they do
https://magazine.heritagepartscentre.com/en...ower-and-glory/ Hope the link works |
porschetub |
Jul 16 2019, 02:15 PM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,704 Joined: 25-July 15 From: New Zealand Member No.: 18,995 Region Association: None |
Same in my country the AA guys are usually highly trained mechanics,generally guys that have a lot of experience,the AA roadside service is a lot smaller and has less guys on the road due to cars being more reliable these days.
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