It's alive....

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t0ny99

Original Poster:

1,246 posts

248 months

Wednesday 26th July 2006
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Okay, I may have mentioned elsewhere that my SP Vitesse has been rolled out of storage after 10 years and is being fettled by a nice man with a grease-gun to return it to roadworthiness.

The years have been kind, and BL's finest required (wait for it) rear brake balance sorting, a fog light bulb and the horn wiring fixing to pass the MoT. I asked them to change every fluid, and generally massage the old girl back to life, which they have been doing for the last couple of weeks in between proper jobs.

Pinking under light load appears to be decade-old 4-star, misfire down to clogged injectors, intermittent starting to a recalcitrant fuel pump relay and rough ride a result of 4 distinct flat spots!

Anyway, in between cycling the engine (hot to cold) and flushing out the gunk, a noisy/sticking tappet has emerged, and no amount of swearing at it and throwing Wynns down the filler will shift it. So, what's the prognosis?

I, and the mechanic, are of a mind to keep flushing the engine and cycling it, interspersed with gentle blats through the New Forest village where the garage is sited.

The car is 100 miles away, so firmly in their hands...




Oh, and it really is THAT solid



Edited by t0ny99 on Thursday 27th July 15:04

Duke Thrust

1,680 posts

246 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
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Totally gorgeous, you're a lucky man.

t0ny99

Original Poster:

1,246 posts

248 months

Thursday 27th July 2006
quotequote all
Duke Thrust said:
Totally gorgeous, you're a lucky man.


Cheers! I see you have a TP - always fancied one, but couldn't bear to part with mine, too much sentimental value! I learnt to drive in this thing

Much to do to yours?...is it in Silver Leaf also?

Duke Thrust

1,680 posts

246 months

Friday 28th July 2006
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Sadly the list of things that I don't have to do is far shorter.

One of the jobs is a full body re-build and re-spray, it's silver leaf now but I fancy a change to black.

Got a very trick 4.6 to put in her, suspension, stainless exhaust etc - should be a quick (and sorted) car by the time I've finished. (fingers crossed)

t0ny99

Original Poster:

1,246 posts

248 months

Monday 7th August 2006
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Update: Week 4 in the Big Brother House...er, week 4 in the workshop and as of last Friday it keeps blowing the fuel pump relay. Apart from that, it's running fine now the stale fuel has been completely purged. As I'm going to be in the area on Friday, I am hoping we can solve the problem so I can collect and take it out for a cobweb-clearing drive (me and the car).

Any suggestions on the relay front?


Edited by t0ny99 on Monday 14th August 15:45

t0ny99

Original Poster:

1,246 posts

248 months

Monday 14th August 2006
quotequote all
Per my last entry, I went to see the car on Friday, as planned. They are on their 4th fuel pump relay! The problem is, it fires up and runs perfectly until shut down. Then, when asked to restart later, they find the relay has blown (ignition obviously having been switched off). The are getting frustrated...as am I!

Duke Thrust

1,680 posts

246 months

Wednesday 16th August 2006
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t0ny99 said:
Per my last entry, I went to see the car on Friday, as planned. They are on their 4th fuel pump relay! The problem is, it fires up and runs perfectly until shut down. Then, when asked to restart later, they find the relay has blown (ignition obviously having been switched off). The are getting frustrated...as am I!


A short on the pump wiring?

Wrong pump?

t0ny99

Original Poster:

1,246 posts

248 months

Wednesday 16th August 2006
quotequote all
Duke Thrust said:
t0ny99 said:
Per my last entry, I went to see the car on Friday, as planned. They are on their 4th fuel pump relay! The problem is, it fires up and runs perfectly until shut down. Then, when asked to restart later, they find the relay has blown (ignition obviously having been switched off). The are getting frustrated...as am I!


A short on the pump wiring?

Wrong pump?


Hmm, I suggested both. I'm suspicious of the pump, as they say it buzzes when running - the old one never did that. I'm baffled by the fact it apparently does it when the ignition is off though. I suppose it might be explained by a) BL and b) Lucas

RR Cerbera

125 posts

291 months

Wednesday 16th August 2006
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The fuel pump relay up in the passenger glovebox is blowing? What part of the relay burns out? The switched power or the control?

If they've checked the condition of the fuel pump electrical connector, which I think is outside of the pump housing, then I'd be tempted to try a replacement pump. From memory it's the same as EFi Montegos and Maestros as well as late 1980's fuel-injected Cavaliers and Astras so there should be plenty in breaker's yards.

Are you getting a steady 36psi of fuel pressure up at the engine?

Richard

t0ny99

Original Poster:

1,246 posts

248 months

Thursday 17th August 2006
quotequote all
RR Cerbera said:
The fuel pump relay up in the passenger glovebox is blowing? What part of the relay burns out? The switched power or the control?

If they've checked the condition of the fuel pump electrical connector, which I think is outside of the pump housing, then I'd be tempted to try a replacement pump. From memory it's the same as EFi Montegos and Maestros as well as late 1980's fuel-injected Cavaliers and Astras so there should be plenty in breaker's yards.

Are you getting a steady 36psi of fuel pressure up at the engine?

Richard


I don't know which side is blowing - I assume the switched power side would indicate the pump is the root of the problem?

It was a new pump as the old one was shot - I don't believe they have measured fuel pressure at the engine end, but will suggest it. I was suspicious when they said the new pump was audible when running...

If we can resolve this, they can move on to the noisy tappet!

Edited by t0ny99 on Thursday 17th August 10:02