Sick v8 - I think I've found my problem
Discussion
Firstly thankyou everyone for your input, it is very much appreciated I can promise you.
I've been compression testing her {i'll get to these in a minute} and I've also been pulling off HT leads to make sure that there is a rev drop with each one.
Whilst doing this I noticed that 2 of the HT leads on the Right Hand Bank do not generate enough of a spark to leap to the spark plug or the engine once removed from the plug {though they are actually sparking as the rev note does change when you remove it}. I've also noticed that one of the HT leads on the other side gives an electric shock when you pull him, so he probably aint too fit either.
Is this most likely to be coil pack or HT leads? It just seems odd that 2 have gone at the same time? Though i suppose there's no saying that one wasn't already gone and it's only shown itself now that a 2nd has gone?
I know the obvious answer is to swap them between banks, it's just it looks a real hassle to remove and refit the plenum just for the sake of testing. Though I did read that some chap just undid the plenum and left it connected so as to afford access to the HT leads so this may be the route I follow.
======================
Compression results;
RH1 - 149 psi
RH2 - 141 psi
RH3 - 145 psi
RH4 - 145 psi
LH5 - 139 psi
LH6 - 143 psi
LH7 - 130 psi
LH8 - 140 psi
How bad do they have to be before they're considered not good? Cylinder 7 is almost 20 psi lower than the highest one, she is firing, if I'll pull the HT lead it sounds the same as when you pull the others.
Also cylinder 1 seems to have deposited some mucky oily crap on the spark plug {it had been left in there without an HT lead whilst I compression tested a couple of other cylinders} but none the less none of the other spark plugs had this on.
Somewhat disappointingly the engine was rebuilt by a Lotus dealership 3/4,000 miles ago for the piston liners, so I would kinda have expected better
Col
I've been compression testing her {i'll get to these in a minute} and I've also been pulling off HT leads to make sure that there is a rev drop with each one.
Whilst doing this I noticed that 2 of the HT leads on the Right Hand Bank do not generate enough of a spark to leap to the spark plug or the engine once removed from the plug {though they are actually sparking as the rev note does change when you remove it}. I've also noticed that one of the HT leads on the other side gives an electric shock when you pull him, so he probably aint too fit either.
Is this most likely to be coil pack or HT leads? It just seems odd that 2 have gone at the same time? Though i suppose there's no saying that one wasn't already gone and it's only shown itself now that a 2nd has gone?
I know the obvious answer is to swap them between banks, it's just it looks a real hassle to remove and refit the plenum just for the sake of testing. Though I did read that some chap just undid the plenum and left it connected so as to afford access to the HT leads so this may be the route I follow.
======================
Compression results;
RH1 - 149 psi
RH2 - 141 psi
RH3 - 145 psi
RH4 - 145 psi
LH5 - 139 psi
LH6 - 143 psi
LH7 - 130 psi
LH8 - 140 psi
How bad do they have to be before they're considered not good? Cylinder 7 is almost 20 psi lower than the highest one, she is firing, if I'll pull the HT lead it sounds the same as when you pull the others.
Also cylinder 1 seems to have deposited some mucky oily crap on the spark plug {it had been left in there without an HT lead whilst I compression tested a couple of other cylinders} but none the less none of the other spark plugs had this on.
Somewhat disappointingly the engine was rebuilt by a Lotus dealership 3/4,000 miles ago for the piston liners, so I would kinda have expected better
Col
I sure hope you get the car sorted soon.. I dont think any of us have had such a string of luck...
I am just upset about the few hundred dollars i need to spend for a re-spray on the bumper and then the usual spring maintainace...
I forget where you are located. If nearby then id happily swill beer to lessen the pain.
I am just upset about the few hundred dollars i need to spend for a re-spray on the bumper and then the usual spring maintainace...
I forget where you are located. If nearby then id happily swill beer to lessen the pain.
Thankyou, I'm sure I will. I have this air of confidence about me that I'm actually gonna be able to fix this thing now, though I'm gonna have to wait untill early next week to get the parts.
I live on the Isle of Wight it's a little island in the south of the uk - fantastic place to live, but can be a pain when you get stuck like this as there are no Lotus dealers or specialists anywhere nearby.
As for the string of luck, I do feel a little picked on at the moment - though I'm sure some of it I must bring on myself
I live on the Isle of Wight it's a little island in the south of the uk - fantastic place to live, but can be a pain when you get stuck like this as there are no Lotus dealers or specialists anywhere nearby.
As for the string of luck, I do feel a little picked on at the moment - though I'm sure some of it I must bring on myself
That's great news...kind of, if you see what I mean! 
It at least looks as though you're starting to get to the bottom of the problem. I wouldn't be too surprised about more than one plug lead failing at the same time as another, after all they are all the same age! Hopefully, when you've replaced the leads (I trust you're buying all 8? ouch) that will be that problem fixed.
I'm a touch concerned about your method of checking them, though. It's really not a good idea to pass that many volts through your body!
The differnces in the compression figures would cause me to raise an eyebrow if it were my engine, but not high enough (Roger Moore stylee) to start waving either spanners or cheque books about. Get the car running right first, take it for a damn good thrap along Military Road and then re-check the compressions. With any luck they'll have evened out a bit.
Well done, I've got a beer in my hand right now and a toasting in your southerly direction!
It at least looks as though you're starting to get to the bottom of the problem. I wouldn't be too surprised about more than one plug lead failing at the same time as another, after all they are all the same age! Hopefully, when you've replaced the leads (I trust you're buying all 8? ouch) that will be that problem fixed.
I'm a touch concerned about your method of checking them, though. It's really not a good idea to pass that many volts through your body!
The differnces in the compression figures would cause me to raise an eyebrow if it were my engine, but not high enough (Roger Moore stylee) to start waving either spanners or cheque books about. Get the car running right first, take it for a damn good thrap along Military Road and then re-check the compressions. With any luck they'll have evened out a bit.
Well done, I've got a beer in my hand right now and a toasting in your southerly direction!
GKP said:
take it for a damn good thrap along Military Road and then re-check the compressions
I'm impressed, you've obviously been here
You echo my sentiments completely, I'm over the moon as crazy as it sounds. I was pretty much up for getting her over to the mainland to be taken to a specialist.
Broke I can deal with, but broke when you cant actually find what's broken is just damn frustrating
If you're ever over to the island again you'll have to give us warning and we'll meet up.
Col
bojangles said:
I sure hope you get the car sorted soon.. I dont think any of us have had such a string of luck...
I am just upset about the few hundred dollars i need to spend for a re-spray on the bumper and then the usual spring maintainace...
I forget where you are located. If nearby then id happily swill beer to lessen the pain.
Actually that honor belongs to me. Purchased a new 2000 V8 in 2001... problem list is endless.
4- exhausts
2- AC Compressors
4- AC manifold pipe sets
2- cooling fans
1- radiator
2- left heat shields
1- defective gearbox
1- defective clutch
1- worn out rebuilt gearbox compliments of above
2- broken exhaust manifold studs
1- noisey water pump
Plus lotsa little crap that barely counts.....
And now, one leaking head gasket.... left side. coolant going into one of the cylinders. Just verified within the last hour.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Thanks Dave, she's all fixed again now
I think I 'broke' it the night you came round, she woz fine as I left then as I got down the bottom of the carriage she just started feeling 'ill' and just got progressively worse from there
Lets just hope she stays this way, you never know I might even get round to selling the Impreza
I think I 'broke' it the night you came round, she woz fine as I left then as I got down the bottom of the carriage she just started feeling 'ill' and just got progressively worse from there
Lets just hope she stays this way, you never know I might even get round to selling the Impreza
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