edited due to video being removed from youtube!
edited due to video being removed from youtube!
Last edited by nova ian; 26-02-12 at 08:40 PM.
Well it's been a very long time coming but the nice weather this weekend inspired me to actually dig out the nova and start sorting it out ready for this years trackdays!
After the last trackday at Donnington I had 2 issues that needed addressing, 1 a fuel leak and 2 a big oil leak that has plagued me from day 1
The fuel leak has been sorted, petrol tank was taken to a local radiator repair place who removed my return pipe (Which is where it was leaking from) and also pressure tested it and gave it a coat of stone guard paint. This has been refitted along with a new low pressure glass inline filter.
Return pipe was at the top in this pic
Freshly painted and repaired tank ready for fitting
Since this got refitted I pretty much gave up on the nova and it sat unloved! But yesterday I finally got to the bottom of the oil leak. I was given a special flaw detector spray from a friend who works at ZF. It's a spray that when applied is clear, but as it dries it becomes like a white chalky like texture.
So first up the cambelt and backplate were all sripped off again and cleaned and degreased the side of the engine. Then gave the engine and backplate a generous coat of the spray and reassembled. Ran the car for about 5 mins (Which burst into life first time with a touch of choke) and then began the stripping process again!
Here are the results:
Obvious conclusion is rocker cover gasket! Can't believe how much it's leaking. So when payday arrives I'll be getting a new gasket sorted, fit my oil cooler and new sump gasket and then fingers crossed it'll be leak free and ready for some more track action. Can't wait to get cracking on it again now seeing as I actually have an obvious problem to solve rather than guess work.
Ian
Last edited by nova ian; 26-02-12 at 09:03 PM.
You have no idea how happy I was when you rang to tell me this was resolved, can't believe it was the freaking rocker gasket after all those seals you replaced!
When are we going to Donington then?
Cheers Iain. You don't know how happy I was!
As for Donnington it will be sooner rather than later, we've got to get some testing in with the Radical and Ste wants to get the teg out there again, so we will be looking at getting something booked in the near future. Just need to sort the towbar on the van too
Wow that spray looks handy!
Super duper dude, glad you finally got to the bottom of the issue. I recommend you only stick to decent quality rocker gaskets from here forth. I only use Elring as they supply Vauxhall, or so I'm lead to believe. You can get them at less then half the Vauxhall price from here, never had mine leak.
Last edited by Harvey; 22-03-12 at 11:25 AM.
That sprays one of those stupidly simple, but great ideas
Old XE track car
http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=74272
Been treating the nova to some goodies aswell as doing a few more bits to it since finding my oil leak.
Package number 1 courtesy of - www.performanceleads.co.uk
Custom silicon ignition leads which have been made longer to suit my cav dizzy with the proper vauxhall ends. Should help it run a bit smoother as the last set had a poor connection due to wrong plug ends. Excellent service from these guys all done via phone/post, and brilliant price. Very happy with them.
Also had a play with my oil cooler. Decided it is going to be mounted here
and pipes as so...
The pipes needed shortening and some 90 degree fittings on the oil filter end, so took them to Pirtek who swaged the new ones on. So need to get this all fitted up. New rocker cover gasket has been fitted and sump gasket with correct length shorter bolts. So all starting to come together.
Finally the car has been booked in to be setup on 12 May at a local rolling road and tuning specialist. The bloke doing it has done loads of these engines on bike carbs, webber carbs, tbs etc etc... as he does alot of autograss cars, so looking forward to getting it running at it's best. After speaking to him about my setup I decided to take some of his advice on board and ordered a new airfilter which he has had the best results with. So I'm waiting on mr postman for this to turn up
Finally I've also bought and fitted a towbar to the van, so can tow the car without having to rely on my dad all the time
So after it's all sorted it will then be trackday time for the summer/good weather. Cannot wait!
Nice work on the cooler, are you drilling some holes in the bumper for airflow to it?
(Hi its Iain by the way)
Hello you random profile hacking serial poster! Lol
Yes going to drill out some holes in the bumper
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