Little Finds...

Hello,

I took a really good look under my bonnet today, and there's three or four things which I think may be causing the performance issues I've been having.

1) The exhaust is wonky where it joins the manifold. One bolt is in a lot further than the other, and the fitting is at a slant, rather than being straight. Can this effect back pressure and reduce performance if it's not sealed properly?

2) I checked the air filter and it's brand new but the enclosure / box is not securely fastened down (it rattles, and can be lifted by hand), the clips are totally nackered. Could this again be a major drawback?

I also noticed that it was steaming (sign of moisture) and it smelt a bit like oil or diesel - is this usual?

3) There are a series of bolts where the long exhaust manifold block joins the top of the engine. One of these bolts was loose and oil is clearly seeping out. I tightened it up as best I could. Could this have been causing any problems?

I did notice after fiddling with the air filter housing, and tightening the bolt that it has driven abit better all the way home, and it did pull up hills quite well in thrid.

Surely it can't be as simple as this!?

-Pos

Fergot what engine it is.

3) Do you mean the manifold bolts(caphead screws) or the cylinder head bolts?

tis a 2.5 n/a - and the bolts are the manifold - they have a plate under them which rests on the manifold to keep it in place as so to speak.

pics would be good fella.

Alright, I'll get some pics, give me 20 minutes!

go go go! get some pics! steam dont sound right, neither does a wonky exhaust manifold. oil and diesel smells are pretty common. maybe not diesel, are you sure you aint got a leak? nothing better than a good ol poke under the bonnet. you find all kinds of mischief

G

Right, here are your pics:

The bolt:
http://www.skuf.co.uk/temp/bolt.jpg

The exhaust:
http://www.skuf.co.uk/temp/exhaust.jpg

The filter box:
http://www.skuf.co.uk/temp/filter.jpg

And whilst I've got this topic going, should my diff / gear box look as oily as this? It does drip on the drive:
http://www.skuf.co.uk/temp/diff.jpg

Thanks
-Pos

fost pic, Are you talking about the M8(at a guess) nut with the noggin under it? Thats holding your inlet and exhaust manifolds on if either are leaking you will need to take them off and replace the gaskets if not tighten it up and check the rest you may seal it if you do all well and good.

Second pic, The flange doesn't need to be square to the exhaust but it looks as if the bloke who put that one on was tekin the ****, how many washers.

Third pic, the clamps look ok from here they just need lifting up.

Fourth pic, No it shouldn't be that oily but as long as the levels are ok it's more bother than it's worth to sort em out unless your taking stuff apart anyhow.

Yes, the most central bolt wih the noggin under it! I will get it as tight as I can.

I will put the exhaust down on my list of thing to get put right before the warranty expires - it's something they can do, and I hope it will help squeeze a touch more performance out of me engine.

How do I check the levels for that part?

Thanks again
-Pos

Your more likely to get the manifold nut done under warranty, the exhaust will be done if the take the manifolds off. Can't find any pics for the filler/level holes have a look on the difflock site they have a how to do an oilchange bit.

have a look on ebay and pick up a CD
workshop manual for about £4
best £4 I spent this year