[Mk2] [Turbo] Engine Problems + vexed

[Frustrated Pilot]

Good day all,

I need some help. After less than 600 miles my brand new engine has ceased to function. (not a happy bunny…)

Since I need the car to drive to work it is essential that it is fixed.

So.. May I take the time to explain the problem in case anyone has any suggestions or ideas.

So, whilst running the engine in as per the specific instructions I have been given by the engine builder it decided to fail on me.

(please no discussions regarding running in procedures as I am following the precise instructions laid out for me)

Whilst in 5th and accelerating hard from 50 mph to 70mph, I took my foot off the gas and then re applied it a short while after some traffic. It was at that point the engine started sounding like a Subaru WRX, Harley, or a TVR.. whatever you wish to give a name to a sound. I had no power what so ever. I looked at the stoich meter and it registered 16+. I limped home and let the car tick over for a little while as I inspected for loose plugs and the stoich meter read 11.3.. again hinting to lean running.

Therefore I assumed a spark plug had blown, or an HT lead failure.

So I called the engine builder and they agreed to send out some HT leads and spark plugs… Again im still waiting and no calls are returned. I am not surprised… it happens all the time..

So, I called the nice very busy people at Rogue who always answer and they gave me some suggestions. No error codes, so they suggested HT leads and Spark plugs 1st.

Well, tried all that .. still no joy..

I then called Skywalker at Pacific works who immediately answered which was nice as it was quite late and he suggested checking there is definitely a spark on each plug, and checking if there was definitely fuel by disconnecting the king lead. Checking fuel.. that’s fine…

But he indicated that to check the spark you leave the plug in the lead and earth it to a part on the engine.

Now since I was electrocuted once doing this.. how is it exactly done?

And if this doesn’t work I need a compression test. That’s when I will have to get some more equipment…

The next problem I have is:- no one to assist me.. its hard to do these jobs whilst turning over the engine…

So, if anyone in surrey (Tiny-Jasper) is free I would really appreciate some help. I have lots of cakes and nice tea/coffee

[LimeyMk1]

I think compression test is the best place to start Paul, my Mk1 sounded very boxer/TVRish when I blew a hole in one of the exhaust valves.

No obvious leaks round the exhaust manifold?

[Marf]

Whereabouts in Surrey are you? I'm in West Sussex not far from the border, if you're close(ish) I could head over and bring my compression tester.

[Frustrated Pilot]

hi m8, up the A3 a bit...

if you fancy a trip the help would be very grateful!

[Marf]

Guildford area?

Either way its a bit of a trek, let me know if no-one else can help, I'm in East Grinstead.

[Frustrated Pilot]

ok... I will see if tiny has one since he is close

[Marf]

Cool, let me know

[cantfindausername]

This could turn into a right local thread. I'm in Crawley and/or Horsham

My understanding of Stoich is very limited (as in a quick google search is all I've ever learnt)

I would look at the cam belt too. Check for a slipped tooth.
Check the distributor cap/rotor arm for damage.

Ant

[Frustrated Pilot]

dizzy is new... apparently.. so is the coil...

i will check the dizzy on saturday and check fueling.. (must remember to remove the ign fuse too when running the fuel test

[-:[KM]:-]

Can you not get it back to the engine builder?

Messing with the engine will give them more clout to fob you off. They'll maybe say it was down to your actions.

They took your money, get 'em to sort it.

Good luck though..

[Frustrated Pilot]

LOL....

you see if you can contact Sbits when something has gone wrong..

good luck

but i see your point, but he did tell me to try these things over 2 weeks ago.

[cantfindausername]

Doesn't matter if the dizzy and arm are new, if they've not been fitted correctly there could be all sorts of trouble lurking inside it. Better to check if you ask me.

Also, it might be worth contacting Jay@sBits on here. He seems quite active.

Surely there is some sort of guarantee if you buy an engine from them? If so, flat bed it up to them at their expense and get them to sort it.

Its not your problem, you paid for a product, and that product has failed, and it clearly wasn't fit for purpose.

[Lewis Jay]

Defo recommend geting it back to Sbits its there problem they built it and gave you specific instructions to follow.

Any messing you do with the car will give them ammo to charge you for repairs needed

[Frustrated Pilot]

I understand your point.. but im not messing around with the car. I dont fiddle with cars.. i know how to repair them.. i simply dont have the time.

anyway Sbits told me that the HT leads were ones they found kicking around the workshop and are clearly worn and questionable.. but would suffice. and they couldnt remember if new spark plugs were used.

They also told me they would post me the Ht leads and spark plugs for me to swap and keep if they worked. if they didnt work then they would see what else they could do.

but now its been over 2 weeks and still no ring back...

So many people pm'd me and warned me of after care support problems....

Since I paid ££££££'s I would have thought that they would want to call me.

Shame really.

I will book Pacific works in to take a look. then there is another "specailist" that will be able to comment.

im not going to waste anymore time and money ringing and leaving messages, texting or emailing. I simply dont have the money.

[cantfindausername]

anyway Sbits told me that the HT leads were ones they found kicking around the workshop and are clearly worn and questionable.. but would suffice. and they couldnt remember if new spark plugs were used.

That speaks a thousands words about the care taken and quality of service. Is that what you paid for?

[Lewis Jay]

It shocks me how you would pay thousands and then not question the integrity of the Sbits after they admit "they used a set of old leads kicking around and not remeber if they put new plugs in".

Is this some kind of joke because if not then this is unbelievably BAD!

After people warned you about after care yet you still used them?

Perhaps the IMOC moderation/collaberation team should be looking into who they allow to be affiliants of this forum if they treat members like this!!

[Frustrated Pilot]

to be honest m8, with a brand new engine I would expect brand new HT's and sparkies.

However, in Sbits defence he knows my skills and knows what I am capable of. So I wouldnt worry about that. He knows that i can fault find to a point.

but im more concerened with the fact that if I had built an engine for someone (or any other work) that if a fault arose I would be 1st to get the fault corrected as a matter of course. The customer has paid the money they should come before new customers queuing up.

since I have been witing over the odds for this car back...

2 and a half years of waiting... and after one month its broken again.



im very very very dissapointed...

I was really expecting something good out of this...

[cantfindausername]

I understand your pain and frustration. I've been waiting 600 days since I dropped my car off for what is essentially a Turbo, ECU and Fuel system install. Seems we've both learnt not to use someone who isn't that local.

[bri0905]

600 days for a turbo change!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope they don't charge by the hour.

If it were me i'd book a recovery truck to collect it and deliver it to said "specialist" with them as billing address!! Put a note in the car saying SORT IT and be expecting new plugs and ht leads and dizzy and rotor to be fitted free. Who sell a built engine with old unknown components fitted to it????

[Frustrated Pilot]

600 days...

365 days per year... and mine was 2 and a half years so that 894 days for me...

I feel your pain...

and exactly 5 days of running since I got the car back... only 5 days and its already bust.

thats 0.0005% of the time.. not good odds.

Hope your car works for more than 5 days lol

Well, im off to halfrauds tonight to get a compression tester for my collection