Has my engine just exploded?
Discussion
Well it certainly sounded that way, and looks about the same.
I was turning over the engine to start just now.. a bit of a stutter, then BANG. Had a look under the clam and the plenum looks like it's exploded into 2 pieces. Huge crack down the rear and a mounting bolt ripped out.
The car was driving fine earlier today. What have I done? Is there anyone out there who can offer even the slightest glimmer of hope that it's not terminal. I love my car and it's been good as gold until now.
Sleepless night ahead of me I think.
I was turning over the engine to start just now.. a bit of a stutter, then BANG. Had a look under the clam and the plenum looks like it's exploded into 2 pieces. Huge crack down the rear and a mounting bolt ripped out.
The car was driving fine earlier today. What have I done? Is there anyone out there who can offer even the slightest glimmer of hope that it's not terminal. I love my car and it's been good as gold until now.
Sleepless night ahead of me I think.
Well, if it's happened at turning over revs it's most likely a backfire that's done it. Good news is that meens it's unlikely to be a piston trying to escape or alike, so the bottom end is fine.
As for why it'd do that...well, there are loads of reasons, and it'd be impossible to guess which one. Post some pics if you can, but to be honest you'll have to get it to a place you trust to check for fuel leaks, the ECU failing, an injector sticking open, etc etc.
As for why it'd do that...well, there are loads of reasons, and it'd be impossible to guess which one. Post some pics if you can, but to be honest you'll have to get it to a place you trust to check for fuel leaks, the ECU failing, an injector sticking open, etc etc.
Thanks, that's pretty reassuring. It did sound a lot like a back fire.. scared the living bejeesus out of me.
You're absolutely right, I need to sort out whatever caused it (if I'm lucky, and that's what it was). If there's potential trouble with the ECU, maybe Roush are a good candidate - I can have it properly set up at the same time. Do you know if they do repairs, etc. as well as their exhaust work and Trevor's magic on the dyno?
The only thing I've done to the car recently is clean the air filters, but that was a fair few miles ago. If I was paranoid I'd blame myself for daring to fiddle around under the clam.
You're absolutely right, I need to sort out whatever caused it (if I'm lucky, and that's what it was). If there's potential trouble with the ECU, maybe Roush are a good candidate - I can have it properly set up at the same time. Do you know if they do repairs, etc. as well as their exhaust work and Trevor's magic on the dyno?
The only thing I've done to the car recently is clean the air filters, but that was a fair few miles ago. If I was paranoid I'd blame myself for daring to fiddle around under the clam.
sounds like you might get away with just a new intake manifold to me mate. Full big and thorough check over will be needed !I have a couple of pics.. the only damage (I can see) is to the inlet manifold and one of the coils, which was in the way when it went bang.
Anybody seen anything like this before?
Thanks for the advice: I'll definately be getting a thorough check over.. as well as the new plastic bits. Any recommendations on who would be thorough? I'm in the South East, North of London.
Hope the pictures come out OK
Anybody seen anything like this before?
Thanks for the advice: I'll definately be getting a thorough check over.. as well as the new plastic bits. Any recommendations on who would be thorough? I'm in the South East, North of London.
Hope the pictures come out OK
It *could* have just been a bad moulding, but that is highly unlikely but not impossible.
It looks like it has been stressed somehow, either you had a stuck open inlet valve that allowed it to back fire, or something else when seriously wrong if it isn't a bad moulding or a stress fracture.
Any ford dealer should be able to source a replacement for you, and I'd recommend Mole Valley (http://www.mole-valley.co.uk/) or Roush (http://www.roush.co.uk/contact.htm) to sort it out.
J
It looks like it has been stressed somehow, either you had a stuck open inlet valve that allowed it to back fire, or something else when seriously wrong if it isn't a bad moulding or a stress fracture.
Any ford dealer should be able to source a replacement for you, and I'd recommend Mole Valley (http://www.mole-valley.co.uk/) or Roush (http://www.roush.co.uk/contact.htm) to sort it out.
J
Edited by joust on Thursday 19th July 12:40
I've seen this before with LPG converted cars but never with a standard petrol car. It seems to have fired with an inlet valve open for some reason causing the plenum to break. You should have a cylinder leakage test done to check for valve leakage just in case it may do it again to a new plenum.
Dave
Dave
DissidentX said:
I'll add that to the list Dave, thanks.
If anyone fancies a new plenum for Christmas this year they'll need 360 quid. As bits of moulded plastic go, that's right up there. Real Plastic Fantastic!
Is that henry ford price or noble price? also check jag price as their oil filters are cheaper than ford ones If anyone fancies a new plenum for Christmas this year they'll need 360 quid. As bits of moulded plastic go, that's right up there. Real Plastic Fantastic!
Shame this did not happen a few days ago as i would have got you one on ford employee discount (i am now redundant)its a common problem and has been reported both here and in the USA
I've seen the aftermath of this down at Vegantune last year
the problem you have is that there may now be lots of small plastic pieces in the engine - so you will probably need to take the engine out and have the cylinder heads removed
it was pretty stupid putting a plastic manifold on a turbocharged car imho
the issue is - why did the car backfire and will it do it again !
what ecu / car have you got ?
I've seen the aftermath of this down at Vegantune last year
the problem you have is that there may now be lots of small plastic pieces in the engine - so you will probably need to take the engine out and have the cylinder heads removed
it was pretty stupid putting a plastic manifold on a turbocharged car imho
the issue is - why did the car backfire and will it do it again !
what ecu / car have you got ?
Edited by gadgeroonie on Thursday 19th July 16:13
Oh dear, I don't like the sound of plastic in the engine (or having the engine out for that matter). I'm hoping this is not what I'm in for. I'm trying to get it booked into Roush as soon as they can fit me in.. so I guess I'll know the score soon enough.
The car is a GTO3 with an MBE ECU - no idea what map it might be running though.
Oh, and that was a Ford price. I'll try a Jag one too as you suggest (sorry to hear about the redundancy Adam).
This is all bit too
The car is a GTO3 with an MBE ECU - no idea what map it might be running though.
Oh, and that was a Ford price. I'll try a Jag one too as you suggest (sorry to hear about the redundancy Adam).
This is all bit too
Thanks for all of the great advice guys. I'd be tearing my hair out in panic if it wasn't for this place and the great people who hang out here.
The car is now booked for an appearance in Roush's workshop, so I'm sure all will be ship shape soon enough. It's my first experience with Roush and I must say they are extremely friendly, knowledgable and professional. I'm feeling pretty positive about sorting things out now.
Will let you know when I'm back on the road.
The car is now booked for an appearance in Roush's workshop, so I'm sure all will be ship shape soon enough. It's my first experience with Roush and I must say they are extremely friendly, knowledgable and professional. I'm feeling pretty positive about sorting things out now.
Will let you know when I'm back on the road.
DissidentX said:
Thanks for all of the great advice guys. I'd be tearing my hair out in panic if it wasn't for this place and the great people who hang out here.
The car is now booked for an appearance in Roush's workshop, so I'm sure all will be ship shape soon enough. It's my first experience with Roush and I must say they are extremely friendly, knowledgable and professional. I'm feeling pretty positive about sorting things out now.
Will let you know when I'm back on the road.
Andy -you'll be in good hands.The car is now booked for an appearance in Roush's workshop, so I'm sure all will be ship shape soon enough. It's my first experience with Roush and I must say they are extremely friendly, knowledgable and professional. I'm feeling pretty positive about sorting things out now.
Will let you know when I'm back on the road.
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