The Trumpets of Doom

My P38, 4.6 HSE has served me well since 2003, when I acquired it and its existing 72k miles. A few weeks ago, in attempt to stem rising oil consumption arising from the further 100k+ milesI have done since then, I decided to check valve stem oil seals and rocker cover oil seals. To get to the left-hand bank, you need to remove the plenum chamber.

Imagine my surprise when I found three of the intake trumpets (nos 6 to 8) lying flat inside the plenum chamber rather than sited vertically. A closer look showed that no 6 trumpet was burred round the base and could not be fitted, or at least not without five minues of work with emery paper. I suppose the other two were removed to allow everything to be laid flat rather than properly fitted.

In 100k miles, it has always seemed quick enough, although I always wondered whether it ought to be quicker. I have had nothing done that would require the removal of the plenum chamber and in any case, my regular garage would a) have sorted it out and b) let me know.

It strikes me that there must be story behind this. I wonder what it is... The previous owner had it from new,by the way.

How very strange, I'm a Classic man but a RV8 efi is a .........
You would have thought that if someone didn't want the trumpets in place they would have left them out altogether.

They do come loose you know. Use loctite bearing glue to refit them.

johndregg said:

They do come loose you know. Use loctite bearing glue to refit them.

Click to expand...

That's interesting & another of the many things I didn't know, a push fit I assume? Has anyone else had this experience, historically does it effect any particular RV8 & how would you know without routinely removing the plenum chamber?

People can mistake their chattering for all sorts of engine woe. All the heat cycles and oil in there it's hardly surprising that they work loose.

Yep glued mine back in