Broken Griff Engine!!!!!!!!!!
Discussion
My brother-in-law put his 98 Griff into his local (non TVR) garage for an MOT and while it was there, an oil and filter change.....
When he went to collect it and started it up there was a horrific banging/clattering under the bonnet!
The garage reckon it was running fine when they took it for a test drive after the oil change to get it all warmed up for the emission test on the MOT.
Brother-in-law left the car there for them to investigate the cause as the garage suspected a broken pushrod. With rocker covers and sump off still no sign of damage.
Garage then report that they have found a broken valve and shows b-i-l four bits of what look like the head of a valve.
Now, his quandry is - does he let them continue to put it right (he has a warranty, up to £1000 per claim) or have it packed of to a TVR garage where no doubt, the bill will be rather more than the allowance?
And what do you good people think might have been the cause of valve failure? Could it be co-incidental that it happened at this time?
When he went to collect it and started it up there was a horrific banging/clattering under the bonnet!
The garage reckon it was running fine when they took it for a test drive after the oil change to get it all warmed up for the emission test on the MOT.
Brother-in-law left the car there for them to investigate the cause as the garage suspected a broken pushrod. With rocker covers and sump off still no sign of damage.
Garage then report that they have found a broken valve and shows b-i-l four bits of what look like the head of a valve.
Now, his quandry is - does he let them continue to put it right (he has a warranty, up to £1000 per claim) or have it packed of to a TVR garage where no doubt, the bill will be rather more than the allowance?
And what do you good people think might have been the cause of valve failure? Could it be co-incidental that it happened at this time?
Firstly what area is the car in? I’d get a quote from TVR Power to see what cost they are talking about for the work you know needs doing, you may be surprised to find them not as expensive as you might think, I’d not be happy with a non V8 specialist doing the work to be honest, if the valve has broken then the head could be damaged, if it needs replacing they’d probably have to source them for TVR anyway. I’m having my 500 engine rebuilt Progress Engineering in Maidstone, they came well recommended by a few from the TVR club.
If the car was running fine when it went in for the simple work and it came out like that, I’d worry about getting them to do an engine rebuild.
If the car was running fine when it went in for the simple work and it came out like that, I’d worry about getting them to do an engine rebuild.
My brother-in-law put his 98 Griff into his local (non TVR) garage for an MOT and while it was there, an oil and filter change.....
When he went to collect it and started it up there was a horrific banging/clattering under the bonnet!
The garage reckon it was running fine when they took it for a test drive after the oil change to get it all warmed up for the emission test on the MOT.
Brother-in-law left the car there for them to investigate the cause as the garage suspected a broken pushrod. With rocker covers and sump off still no sign of damage.
Garage then report that they have found a broken valve and shows b-i-l four bits of what look like the head of a valve.
Now, his quandry is - does he let them continue to put it right (he has a warranty, up to £1000 per claim) or have it packed of to a TVR garage where no doubt, the bill will be rather more than the allowance?
And what do you good people think might have been the cause of valve failure? Could it be co-incidental that it happened at this time?
Can't be proved of course, but it sounds like they over-revved the engine. I certainly wouldn't want them to rebuild it if it was mine. I guess they just want to limit their liability. Do they have a good reputation generally?
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Friday 30th May 10:58
The Griff is in North Norfolk, not an area best served by TVR unfortunately, and the garage has looked after my brother-in-law's previous cars (incl Mercedes AMG), and they apparently are familiar with V8s as they run Range Rovers etc.
B-I-Ls first thoughts were of oil starvation but the garage seems to be aware of the need to make sure the oilpump remains primed when changing oil filter.
Makes you wonder if the car was thrashed from cold - but how do you prove that one IF it was the case, and would that do it anyway?
B-I-Ls first thoughts were of oil starvation but the garage seems to be aware of the need to make sure the oilpump remains primed when changing oil filter.
Makes you wonder if the car was thrashed from cold - but how do you prove that one IF it was the case, and would that do it anyway?
neilmac said:
B-I-Ls first thoughts were of oil starvation but the garage seems to be aware of the need to make sure the oilpump remains primed when changing oil filter.
Makes you wonder if the car was thrashed from cold - but how do you prove that one IF it was the case, and would that do it anyway?
I believe the oil pump priming problem only applies to the pre-serpentine engine; a 98 car should be a serpentine. So do they really know their Rover V8s ?
Besides, a broken valve is not indicative of lubrication failure. It strongly suggests the valve hit the piston, as would occur when over revved, or maybe a valve spring broke. Either way, I would be deeply suspicious of the garage. Trouble is, it's very hard to prove, and they know it.
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Friday 30th May 11:03
The oil pump priming problem can affect both serp and pre serp engines although it is worst on the pre-serp engines. Seen it happen on both types.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
neilmac said: The Griff is in North Norfolk, not an area best served by TVR unfortunately, and the garage has looked after my brother-in-law's previous cars (incl Mercedes AMG), and they apparently are familiar with V8s as they run Range Rovers etc.
RPI are in Norfolk. I think they are pretty much one of the top 3 Rover engine builders. Not necessarily the cheapest but do you want it done or do you want it done properly?
www.rpiv8.com/homepage.htm
Ian A.
"It strongly suggests the valve hit the piston, as would occur when over revved, or maybe a valve spring broke. Either way, I would be deeply suspicious of the garage. Trouble is, it's very hard to prove, and they know it"
Too right B 16... Ive had my fair share of v8s and race prep'ed one for a long time... someone has revved the ballcocks off it, and I'd be making a visit with 'the boys' to kick some ass.
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Friday 30th May 11:03
>> Edited by mav on Friday 30th May 14:07
Too right B 16... Ive had my fair share of v8s and race prep'ed one for a long time... someone has revved the ballcocks off it, and I'd be making a visit with 'the boys' to kick some ass.
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Friday 30th May 11:03
>> Edited by mav on Friday 30th May 14:07
mav said: "It strongly suggests the valve hit the piston, as would occur when over revved, or maybe a valve spring broke. Either way, I would be deeply suspicious of the garage. Trouble is, it's very hard to prove, and they know it"
Too right B 16... Ive had my fair share of v8s and race prep'ed one for a long time... someone has revved the ballcocks off it, and I'd be making a visit with 'the boys' to kick some ass.
>> Edited by B16 RFF on Friday 30th May 11:03
>> Edited by mav on Friday 30th May 14:07
If thats the case I’d suggest taking the car back now, get a reputable engineering company to look at it and then give a report on why the engine broke, if they suggest misuse then you can go back to the garage a threaten court action if they don’t pay to have it repaired.
Thanks for all your advices, the final diagnosis is now that a valve guide broke up, spat its way through the valves into 2 cylinders damaging the head in two bores and 1 piston, thoughts are that the guide might have been moving around for a while before letting go - OUCH!
B-I-L is leaving car with garage (mechanic there has, apparently, previous experience on V8 TVRs) to fix although I believe any specialist work will go to RPI anyway.
Hopefully warranty will cover it and he won't be without his Griff for too long.
B-I-L is leaving car with garage (mechanic there has, apparently, previous experience on V8 TVRs) to fix although I believe any specialist work will go to RPI anyway.
Hopefully warranty will cover it and he won't be without his Griff for too long.
Ouch that sounds expensive, would have though the repair would come to a fair bit more than the £1000 warranty he has.
How would a guide get into more than one cylinder? Doesn’t the V8 have a separate port for each cylinder?
If its holed the piston they will need to check all the bearings etc encase any metal has gone round in the oil.
Had a similar thing happen to a mini engine, made a real mess
How would a guide get into more than one cylinder? Doesn’t the V8 have a separate port for each cylinder?
If its holed the piston they will need to check all the bearings etc encase any metal has gone round in the oil.
Had a similar thing happen to a mini engine, made a real mess
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff