Once I'd decided to keep my Avant I decided that it was time to give it a bit of a freshening up.
I'd not driven the car for a while and it was full of water on the driver's side. Bonnet cable grommet again
So I fixed it (it must have moved) and cleared the car out.
I drove the car over to AV Performance as this is the first proper strip down I've done. Timing didn't really go to plan as other things took priority and Ben only has one ramp there but we managed to get as far as taking the pistons out while I was there. Engines fascinate me and it was pretty amazing to see inside and be able to see how it all actually works.
A few pics:
Head off:
Block:
Cleaned head:
Head components - the inlet valves were very clean! Always treat it to good fuel:
One of the bores - can still see the crosshatching and no lip at all. I was impressed!
Bearing shells - in pretty good nick too
Corrosion in the block - always use G12+ gents
Pistons
Minging oil sump - probably a mixture of rubbish oil, missed oil changes and exhaust gas getting into the oil as the rings on cylinder 3 were set incorrectly from the factory!
The car should be back together this week and a replacement turbo and exhaust manifold will be fitted. Some of you may remember that it was letting a puff of smoke out on gearchange - this turned out to be worn valve stem oil seals. The turbo is perfect with no play in the shaft whatsoever but I've already bought another one which was refurbed not long ago, so I'll fit that one rather than the original.
I'm pretty amazed at how solid these engines really are.. I don't think mine was looked after at all prior to my ownership and while I'm mechanically considerate and make sure it's properly serviced, it has done several trackdays, a 'Ring trip and two intensive jaunts across Europe.
Should be good for another 200,000 miles once it's all back together. I'm treating it to a new exhaust as I sold my Milltek when I thought I was going to sell the car. I have a lovely Evo 8 Recaro interior in there now and I will start to sort the bodywork over the next 12-18 months.
Next on the list is a set of decent track wheels and to get my 17" Avus II's refurbed. Silver or anthracite? I can't decide
Cheers for reading.
I'd not driven the car for a while and it was full of water on the driver's side. Bonnet cable grommet again
So I fixed it (it must have moved) and cleared the car out.I drove the car over to AV Performance as this is the first proper strip down I've done. Timing didn't really go to plan as other things took priority and Ben only has one ramp there but we managed to get as far as taking the pistons out while I was there. Engines fascinate me and it was pretty amazing to see inside and be able to see how it all actually works.
A few pics:
Head off:
Block:
Cleaned head:
Head components - the inlet valves were very clean! Always treat it to good fuel:
One of the bores - can still see the crosshatching and no lip at all. I was impressed!
Bearing shells - in pretty good nick too
Corrosion in the block - always use G12+ gents
Pistons
Minging oil sump - probably a mixture of rubbish oil, missed oil changes and exhaust gas getting into the oil as the rings on cylinder 3 were set incorrectly from the factory!
The car should be back together this week and a replacement turbo and exhaust manifold will be fitted. Some of you may remember that it was letting a puff of smoke out on gearchange - this turned out to be worn valve stem oil seals. The turbo is perfect with no play in the shaft whatsoever but I've already bought another one which was refurbed not long ago, so I'll fit that one rather than the original.
I'm pretty amazed at how solid these engines really are.. I don't think mine was looked after at all prior to my ownership and while I'm mechanically considerate and make sure it's properly serviced, it has done several trackdays, a 'Ring trip and two intensive jaunts across Europe.
Should be good for another 200,000 miles once it's all back together. I'm treating it to a new exhaust as I sold my Milltek when I thought I was going to sell the car. I have a lovely Evo 8 Recaro interior in there now and I will start to sort the bodywork over the next 12-18 months.
Next on the list is a set of decent track wheels and to get my 17" Avus II's refurbed. Silver or anthracite? I can't decide
Cheers for reading.
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