Dormobile disaster...

[Rich Oakley]

Stonor Park was going to be the first big outing for my low mileage, original Dormobile. Sadly, fifteen miles into the journey on the M23, there was a very loud 'bang' from the engine followed by a cloud of black smoke and a big pool of oil on carriageway. Not good.
Managed to pull over and get recovered back home. Judging by the amount of oil released, it's not looking promising for this 63,000 mile original engine. I'll update you as I remove it and strip it down....

 

[Danbury Doug]

Oh Rich.

So sorry to hear that.

Fingers crossed it won't be as bad as it seems.

Doug

 

[Clem]

 

[easy]

thats a boo dood

 

[dp]

Gutted for you - hope the case is at least OK

 

[Araon]

**** sorry to hear that fella fingers crossed

 

[baron]

we've all been there dude

 

[Rich Oakley]

I decided to take an extended lunch break today between 12.30 and 2pm. Got the engine out...

The engine turns over by hand just fine, so hopefully that should at least mean that a 'rod hasn't gone through the case or the crankshaft failed.

5.30pm finished work and started stripping it down...

I was rather hoping to find a smashed up valve and piston, but instead found this....

No.3 was full of oil and chunks of the piston are missing around the lower edge!! It doesn't look like there's any damage to the valve or head whatsoever...

Anybody had this happen before? I wonder if I should delve into the crankcase or just replace the B&Ps? :?:

 

[71Dormobile]

Sorry to hear about the engine fella and hope you get it sorted soon, looks like your well on the way already......

Looking at your last pic posted could you let me know what the two round holes are for in the lower rear corner panels, can't recall seeing those in mine??

 

[Rich Oakley]

Rebuilt and re-fitted this weekend...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUi1y_-4MgU

 

[58herbie]

Thats running sweet now Rich.

 

[bananacustard]

Glad you got it running again Rich. The rebuilt engine's going back in the Fastback this week as well. Curious to see how good these budget silver engines are :?

 

[Rich Oakley]

Glad you got it running again Rich. The rebuilt engine's going back in the Fastback this week as well. Curious to see how good these budget silver engines are :?

It seems to be fine (so far!). New barrels and pistons, re-conditioned heads etc. Fingers crossed!
Good luck with getting yours installed.

 

[Trikky2]

Glad to hear you got it up and running again.
Having the heads done was a good idea since burning of the pistons occurs during overheating which often can also affect the valves and guides.

Did you find the cause of the overheating BTW? Timing maybe?

 

[Rich Oakley]

Did you find the cause of the overheating BTW? Timing maybe?

Yes. Faulty, NEW vacuum advance dizzy. The vacuum unit had parted company with the bracket meaning that the engine was running at full advance!!

 

[Danbury Doug]

Glad she's all sorted Rich. 8)

By the way your old Danbury had its first MOT in my ownership last week.... and only needed a new numberplate bulb!

 

[Rich Oakley]

Glad she's all sorted Rich. 8)

By the way your old Danbury had its first MOT in my ownership last week.... and only needed a new numberplate bulb!

Glad to hear it. It's a great van isn't it?!

 

[Danbury Doug]

Glad she's all sorted Rich. 8)

By the way your old Danbury had its first MOT in my ownership last week.... and only needed a new numberplate bulb!

Glad to hear it. It's a great van isn't it?!

It certainly is!

I had the little electrical jobs sorted while it was in for its MOT. Turned out some of the contacts on the fuses needed cleaning up. I only checked them to make sure they hadn't blown. Never thought of pulling them out fully! :roll:

I hope to go for my first weekend away in her sometime next month.

 

[Trikky2]

Wow - I have never seen a failure like that one before !

Its great to know that you have found the cause of the problem - at least now you can drive with confidence