So, today I spent some time stripping down and getting me bits and bobs out.
Bonnet into service mode....
First point of call was to address the comments on oil pressure - whipped out my hose and adaptors, the realised that getting to the oil pressure switch (which is the easiest place to plug the gauge into) can be a bit of a sod - there is a hard coolant pipe that runs very close to it, the alternator bracket is above it, and trying to get to it from underneath is difficult because of the oil line to the cooler!
Any how, whipped the Alternator and bracket off, got the switch out and put in the pressure gauge
Run the Engine and bled the air out of the line....
So, with good pressure, I proceeded to strip the manifold off.
First, mark up the LPG injectors and harnesses
Removed the gas injector rails, petrol injector splice harness and vaporiser coolant pipes
Then, take all the intake ducting off, remove multiplugs to the throttle pot, IACV - remove the coolant pipes to the body warmer, breather to the rocker cover and the throttle and cruise control cables
Undo the 6 socket cap bolts for the plenum chamber and lift off
Took the passenger side rocker cover off and had a gander - all looks fine under there too - all the rockers are firm, the rods are seated nicley, no play of excessive movement anywhere!
Sooooo, cover back on - time to dig deeper and get the intake manifold off
This is a bit of a faff, but basically, undo the bolts for the injector wiring harness, undo the bolts holding the fuel rail in place and the ignition coil brakcet in place, carefully lift he fuel rail to release the iggy coil bracket. Undo the fuel supply and return pipes from the fuel rail (carefully depressurise the lines first (cover the rail schreider valve with a rag and depress the inner valve.)
Remove the multiplug to the iggy coil, undo the 12 manifold bolts in the published order
Then carefully prise the manifold off the gasket and lift away.
Once I then retreived the iggy coil packs and took the leads off - one post and lead was covered in oxidised corrosion..!!!!
Ah ha....... this probably explains the misifres and popping and backfiring - uneven idle etc etc - but not the ticking!! But it is a step forward!
Pulled the old plugs out and they are fecked - I am surprised the car ran at all
So, with he manifold off, undo the two bolts holding the valley gasket clamps in place and lift off the old valley gasket to reveal the camshaft and followers.
Looking at the lobes and the followers, looking at there movement relative to eachother, there would appear to be no excessive or worrying signs of wear on the cam at all (surprisingly).
So it would initially appear that the ticking may not be due to worn cam lobes or a dicky lifter/follower....thats a bugger!
The ticking/tapping only happens when it gets warm, and that points to potential liner issues...maybe.
Speaking with the other half, she says I have got this far, and to get the heads off, is just faffing with the exhaust manifold and heatsheilds, and then the heads bolts, so I may aswell go the whole hog and lift the heads and look at the gaskets and liners whilst I am there.
But that will have to wait a couple of weeks now as I can only do the work at the weekends, and we are busy with birthdays etc for the next couple!
What are your thoughts peeps??
Watch this space....
