how to ruin your engine 101

[Bertroex]

Hello all,

Well then, engine out and budget ready but running already quite close to the top. Supposedly trustworthy German engine builder but we will see.

Quick scenario: On a fast run from Nottingham to Gatwick I had to refuel. There was a loud banging noise as if a fan was hitting something plasticy. Not to worry: I was late, oil level was ok, temp as well so I thought "lets not be late".

When I was back I consulted Zentrum, my independant in Notts, but the noise has disappeared. Oil was running a wee bit low, so we refilled oil. Drove about 750 miles, after a fast run engine sometimes had the noise and then disappeared again....

Moreover, my oil cooler thermostat went and whilst queuing to get out of London, temperature went all the way up and the car blubbered for a good 5 miles when the traffic jam cleared before the temperature went down again and a normal porsche sound returned.

Suddenly the noise didn't disappear and now it was a LOUD metal on metal banging.

Appears that a bearing broke in half and when the two halves were perfectly on top of each other there was no noise, when they moved about the noise was there.

Now we see: bearings gone, crankcase gone, I hope that the cases can be saved but not likely etc....

Ergo: when you here a noise that isnt supposed to be there, perhaps better to stop immediately instead of driving another few 100 miles.

So if anyone has any leads to Carrera 3.0 engine parts then this will be much much much appreciated. Also, if it might be better to start all over again with a replacement engine then could anyone please let me know. Values are not really important as I just would like to have a good Carrera 3.0 engine in my c3!

I am willing to sell my soul but my sister told me it is only worth 5 p:shock:

I will try to post some pictures when I finally get them.


Best regards,


Bert

[Gary71]

Oh, sounds bad Maybe time to drop in a 3.2?

[davidppp]

Oh, so sorry, Bert.

I do still have a 3.6 freshly built engine from Rich Longmans here...

Kind regards
David

[Bertroex]

Thanks for the suggestions, gents. I always wanted a road car that was fairly standard so I could register it for historic events; i believe that a c3 is FIVA eligible.

The next project is creating a lightweight c3 coupe road car/sprint car with a hot, bored out 3.2 or 3.4 or a twin plug 3.0 in it.

At this moment though, when costs start to mount, I might be forced to make a "reasonable" decision; I was hoping that I didnt need to go down the SC/ carrera 3.2 engine route.

Argh, bummer bummer bummer.

[sladey]

Sorry to hear about your problems Bert - I've been running my 3.2 with dodgy noises since January - if you were in Zentrum over the last week my engine is completely in bits on the right hand side of the floor (turned out to be just dodgy big end shells) but nothing's cheap when you've got it down that far.

Hope you find the engine you're looking for - have you thought about walking around husborne this saturday with a "wanted 3.0 engine" sign around your neck - you'll be in the best place to find someone selling one

Cheers

Mark

[Bertroex]

Right, the soap about my engine is becoming really exciting, at least where I am sitting....

After the last telephone call, this was the list of parts that needed replacing:
New cylinder head
camshaft
crankshaft
conrods
pistons
and a copper oil line.
(aside from the usual valve guides, valves, balancing etc etc)

okay.... so where to get the parts?

"-No problem, we have it all in stock."
upon my question

"what do you mean, even the carrera 3 camshaft?" he responded:

"Yeah, lemme see.....yup, I have 8 ."

F*ck me


Bert

[davidppp]

Hello, Bert.

Hmmmmm.......

Now I'm fairly picky about engine bits..but really!

New rods?..why?

Ok if they are all blue as blue can be..but in all probablitiy all they need is resizing the big ends and new small ends..

Cylinder head..why?

Ok, I have had heads ruined beyond economic repair..when a vlave hits a piston it can crack the head..or a valve head coming off or nut dropped into the engine can deeply embed in the head...

But minor shrapnel dropped into the intake commonly produces only minor, really cosmetic damage to the head..even though the piston may be best changed..

On the other hand, if changing one piston there is always a case in favour of changing all..same with valves IMHO..

The cams from an SC or any CIS S engine have the same profile as far as I know......just make sure its got 47mm journals..

Kind regards
David

[kaferboy]

sorry, totally off topic - David did you get you pm?

ta
Jamie

[Bertroex]

Hello david,


Thanks for your "Hmmmm's" as I keep my critical ear open as well.

All parts that are looking serviceable are being weighed and measured etc so whatever is outside of tolerances will be replaced. Period.

I might go for blueprinting but not sure yet. Dont want to make it too hot innit.

I will post some pictures early next week as I am waiting for them and you could all have a go if you fancy. If you do uncover a massive scam, be warned that I will be on the brandy in my local.

Besides, the prices are considerably cheaper than in the UK, he has masses of stock that he collected over 30 years, he gives 25000 km warranty (or two years) -the miles I am doing that means about a year in the 911- so I can afford a full engine rebuild for the price of a top end.

I have enormous respect for the expertise, skills and creativity of UK engine builders and porsche specialists, but I am saving between 30 and 50% in Germany. I am not ashamed to admit that I have to go for the "cheaper" option.

As a bonus, the bodywork (bubbling in door posts, bit of reaction on bumper) will have to wait for the winter so I can join all you ratters and full blown /concours restored 911's under a layer of dirt for Eynsham.

Hows that?!

Thanks again for your replies; I will keep you posted.


Bert

[Nige]

ratters rule

[porscheplus.co.uk]

when i was at douglas valley breakers before xmas i am sure steve had a 3 litre engine.

[Bertroex]

when i was at douglas valley breakers before xmas i am sure steve had a 3 litre engine.

Was it off the white carrera 3.0 coupe of 1977 with an engine fire? We called a few times about it but he told me that due to the fire not much was useable.

I was after some cosmetic parts and some bonnet hinges off that car....


Take care,


Bert

[Bertroex]

Hello everyone!

I returned from Germany, drove straight into the MOT station and she passed first time.

I was advised:
1st 100 miles: not above 3500 rpm, no autobahn but A-roads
btw 100 and 200 miles: not above 4000 rpm, mix autobahn and A-roads
btw 200 and 400 miles not above 4500 rpm but I can overtake a lorry on the motorway and go up to 6000 rpm occasionally.

I have done about 650 miles now and everything is coming together.
She does have a leaking oil pipe from the engine to the oil cooler thermostat and I need to replace the oil cooler thermostat -now permanently open for security- but it is a massive step in the right direction.

So in summary: what happened?
3 things at once:
big end lining broke in half- I kept on driving. =>new big ends and crankshaft as my crankshaft needed too much work.


One injector wasnt firing so five cylinders were compensating for the sixth that was intermittently firing. I ended up in a North Circular traffic jam and then the engine overheated. It appeared that my oil cooler thermostat was faulty. The temperature went all the way into the red and she was running on 5 cylinders. It cooled down, was going again on 6 cylinders and then about 400 miles later(surprising really) that was it.

Some crankshafts:




A quick step of what happened:
1. to completely disassemble and clean Engine
2. Measuring crankshaft, Replaced crankshaft
3. Replace big ends, allocation per weight
4. replace pistons and cylinders, allocation per build height. Rework existing cylinder heads and replace 1
5. Measuring engine case and reworking if necessary
6. replace crankshaft bearings
7. rework camshaft housing
8. rework intermediate shaft
9. replace piston rings
10. cam chains Left and right replace
11. rework cam chain housing
12. rework valve housing
13. replace in and outlet valves
14. replace valve guides
15. rework cam shaft
16. rework rocker arms (12x)
17. rework chain tensioners
18. rework oil pump
19. assemble engine and replace in vehicle
20. assemble ancillaries



I went for a few days to Cannes and Monaco afterwards (not with the car though) and Flat 6, the French porsche magazine, had the following comparative table



6th line is acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h (50 ->75 mph) in 5th gear
7th is id but in 4th gear
8th is id but in 3rd gear
9th is acceleration from 80 to 150 km/h( 50 ->90 mph)
10th is from 100 to 200 km/h (65 ->125 mph)

I was surprised at the figures as well, especially in comparison to the 3.2 carrera!

Anyway, for those people who have commented and really helped out during the past year:
thank you so much!

I really hope to meet up with some of you during the meets. Anyone who will now comment on the ratty looking bodywork or my grey hair will end up in a fountain

Bert

[impmad2000]

Good that you are running again
See you at the Carrington Arms, Ashby Folville, Leicestershire June 13th ?
Tim

[Bertroex]

See you at the Carrington Arms, Ashby Folville, Leicestershire June 13th ?
Tim

you will! excellent!

Bert