Post
by sixspeed » Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:24 pm
Thought I'd pipe up on here as I knew there was a thread going on this topic....
Some of you may know (those who are on Facebook or follow me on IG) that the faithful Zed ticked over 100k on a Brands Hatch evening last month. The suspension was rebuilt at the start of the year, and I had the valve clearances done 4 weeks or so back and she's never felt better. Well, fateful last words, took her to the 'Ring last week for DN16, and 1 lap into the track day the engine missed on the climb up to the Karussell, and almost immediately I could tell that it felt strained and down on power, and there was a rattle from the engine and a general gruff sound that was unusual. Pulled up and recovered to the car park, initially thinking something had gone with the top end, but once in the paddock there was a tell-tale knocking from the engine at above 2,000rpm. Diagnosis at this stage.... big end bearings!
Frustrating in that I was aware of the reports and had planned to do them over the winter, but such is life. The inside of the engine was exceptionally clean when we did the valve clearances and the car has always had oil changes every 6-8000 miles (and in recent years its been nearer every 3k due to the low mileage I do now). The car is being repatriated in a couple of weeks and is already booked into Geoff Steel Racing for a full strip down, assessment and then full rebuild (with upgrades of course!). Curious to see exactly what has gone. Engine still runs so hopefully collateral damage is minimal. Will be a good opportunity to strengthen some components, replace the clutch (which is still original), and probably drop in some cams whilst everything is apart.
Will update here with photos when we get the block apart and see what the cause and damage is!