QuestionI have been experiencing hesitation or flat spots for awhile with my spitfire, I have had the coolant tested for head gasket failure with negative results, replaced the fuel lines, pump and filter, flushed the coolant system, rebuilt the carbs w/suitable jets, needles and springs. The problem still persisted, although it was intermitent (some days it would be fine - rarely) and most days it would barely be drivable.
I took it to a garage for an mot, had the tappet clearence reset, timing was way out, advance was way out and he balanced the carbs on a proper SUN machine.
The car drove SO much better, I drove it around little A/B roads in the UK for 25-30 miles - engine temp sat at mid way (on a very hot day) and in traffic around town alot. I then drove it upto London (130 miles) got 15 miles up the motorway (speeds of 60-65mph) and the car started squeeling (sounded like fan belt), a higher pitch was relevant to the higher rpm/acceleration. The car started jerking about, losing power and I had to get recovered home. The AA mechanic said he reckoned I had almost certainly experienced HGF, yet there are still no signs of HGF at all.
I have an alternate engine that has perfect compression and has been completely rebuilt, with everything I have replaced I could make a good new engine setup (and whilst I have it out clean up and maintain the suspension/wishbones).
Is it worth me further experimenting with getting my car working or should I just replace the lot? - I suspect the current issue may well be thermostat/waterpump related?
Apologies for the long story..
AnswerHi Tom,
When the squealing noise started, was the temperature high? Did you loose any coolant? If the temp was not high, a thermostat is ruled out.
Noise could have been the belt, so at that time you should have checked to see if the belt showed any signs of slipping and you should have loosened the belt tension and checked to see if the alternator or the water pump were free spinning and not locking up. If it is still making the noise cold, you can loosen the belt now and check the alt and WP. If it is not now making noise you can use a mechanics stethoscope to listen to the water pump and alternator bearings to see if they are bad. (or get it hot enough to get the noise back) (Tests should be done at the time of failure not later when the noise is not there)
Any signs of leakage of coolant or oil at the head gasket? Spitfires have two different types of head gaskets. One is flat like all other head gaskets but the other has a thick ring around the cylinder bore and the block is "Fly-Cut" at the top of the bore to receive this thick ring and if this thick ring gasket is used on a non fly-cut block it causes head gasket leaks of coolant and/or oil at the back.
Using a flat gasket on a fly-cut block could cause leakage and even a whistle noise and leakage.
There are many things that can cause a noise like a exhaust manifold gasket leakage or even an intake gasket leakage.
(Get recovered home)?? does that mean brought home by a wrecker truck? Sorry, us Yanks are still trying to learn English.
Does the car run now? A car that does not run is the easiest car in the world to fix. A car that does not run occasionally is the hardest car in the world to fix. All tests must be done while the car is in it's failed mode.
let me know,
Howard
