Datsuncog's Heaps: Sept 2023 - Another Year's T-Met Exemption Certificate...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Chuck some oil in it and start it up. That will be the fucked/not fiucked moment. If it sounds all right, pressure wash the motor and see if it leaks and from where. the fact that it was rattling isn't good though.

[Datsuncog]

On 4/5/2018 at 11:15 PM, SiC said:

Should that even be a thing? Surely once you hit peak pressure, the oil pressure relief valve should limit the total maximum oil pressure on the engine. According to Renault, this should be roughly 1 bar at idle and 3 bar at 3k rpm. So I suspect 3 bar is the normal maximum pressure.

According to HBOL (not maybe the most impeccable of sources, I'll grant you), the oil separator system operates thusly:

Crankcase emission control.

To reduce the emission of unburned hydrocarbons from the crankcase into the atmosphere, the engine is sealed and the blow-by gases and oil vapour are drawn from inside the crankcase, through a wire mesh oil separator, into the inlet tract to be burned by the engine during normal combustion.

Under conditions of high manifold depression (idling, deceleration) the gases will be sucked positively out of the crankcase. Under conditions of low manifold depression (acceleration, full throttle running) the gases are forced out of the crankcase by the (relatively) higher crankcase pressure; if the engine is worn, the raised crankcase pressure (due to increased blow-by) will cause some of the flow to return under all manifold conditions. [my underlining]

To be truthful, this paragraph has only a vague semblance of meaning to me - but I reckon it might be fair to state that if this oil separator connection is meant to be sealed (and it's not - I tried tightening the jubilee clip, and it just tightens a little then slips loose again), and the car has been redlined, then maybe the sudden rise in pressure could well have caused oil to breach this bad seal at the block and forced it out everywhere at motorway speed.

I'm not 100% sure it's deffo the culprit either, but all the signs so far are pointing that way... the engine bay's a mess right now, but the pattern of spray seems to imply the leak originated at this area. And it's an obviously duff connection. The aquatic pipe is also brittle and has cracked while I was examining it.

Of course, KAZ's oil separator system is quite different, so I can't swap them round to check, annoyingly.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

According to HBOL (not maybe the most impeccable of sources, I'll grant you), the oil separator system operates thusly:

 

 

Crankcase emission control.

To reduce the emission of unburned hydrocarbons from the crankcase into the atmosphere, the engine is sealed and the blow-by gases and oil vapour are drawn from inside the crankcase, through a wire mesh oil separator, into the inlet tract to be burned by the engine during normal combustion.

Under conditions of high manifold depression (idling, deceleration) the gases will be sucked positively out of the crankcase. Under conditions of low manifold depression (acceleration, full throttle running) the gases are forced out of the crankcase by the (relatively) higher crankcase pressure; if the engine is worn, the raised crankcase pressure (due to increased blow-by) will cause some of the flow to return under all manifold conditions. [my underlining]

To be truthful, this paragraph has only a vague semblance of meaning to me - but I reckon it might be fair to state that if this oil separator connection is meant to be sealed (and it's not - I tried tightening the jubilee clip, and it just tightens a little then slips loose again), and the car has been redlined, then maybe the sudden rise in pressure could well have caused oil to breach this bad seal at the block and cause it to spew out everywhere at motorway speed.

 

I'm not 100% sure it's deffo the culprit either, but all the signs so far are pointing that way... the engine bay's a mess right now, but the pattern of spray seems to imply the leak originated at this area. And it's an obviously duff connection. The aquatic pipe is also brittle and has cracked while I was examining it.

 

Of course, KAZ's oil separator system is quite different, so I can't swap them round to check, annoyingly.

I'd be tempted to put the effort into making KAZ roadworthy.

 

Then I'd set a time scale of sell or scrap for TAZ to keep the Mrs happy. Give yourself a couple of weeks to get it oil tight and whack it on gumtree

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[Datsuncog]

On 4/6/2018 at 1:47 AM, Zelandeth said:

Don't worry too much about a bit of mayo in the separator.

The PCV pipework and cam cover are likely the coolest bits of the engine, so if there's any condensation this is where you'll tend to see it. A bit of horrible gunge there doesn't necessarily mean blown head gasket. My Invacar produces a fair bit in there and it's air cooled! So long as it's only in the PCV assembly and isn't evident in the sump.

It however could clog things up quite a bit if excessive, especially if the car does a lot of short runs - which would make it far more likely to blow the whole assembly loose of its stub at peak crankcase pressure (full throttle at full RPM obviously)...so it could have been loose for ages, and this particular set of circumstances was enough to pop it loose. If it's proven to be the cause, couldn't hurt to give it a good clean out before reassembly.

Just scratching my head as to where else it can have come from... it's got to be breather or a core plug for me given where it seems to have come from.

Core plug could have given no warning - it's literally just a plug to blank of any drillings for oilways in the head or block (if applicable to this engine). Should be obvious with the engine running though as it will literally spray out most likely.

Yeah, the mayo's not causing me too much worry (compared to the rest, anyway!!) - when I first went to view the car there was a bit of mayo round the bottom of the oil filler cap; I took it for a blat round the backroads and checked it again when I got back, and there was nothing to give me concern - I assumed it was a result of having been started but not driven for several months.

The car is mostly used for taking me down to the station (5 mile round trip daily), with other short urban hops and maybe an hour at motorway speed once or twice a week, if I'm heading over to see my parents, and the odd longer (100 mile+) run to Dublin or Derry. It's fair to say I have never floored it like that - although I may have availed of my private* motorway once or twice to see what she was capable of when opened up, I've only ever accelerated gradually and have never before hammered her from a standstill like that.

I'd say this connection is the smoking gun at the minute - a weak bodge, an unprecedented load on the engine, a spectacular mess - so I think the next stage is to clean out the separator (steep and rinse in a basin of petrol, would you advise?) and then remake this connection using a proper bit of pipe, refill with oil and start it.

If it seizes - well, at least I know It's completely borked. If oil starts pissing out somewhere else, I'll know where it's coming from. If it starts and runs happily - well, that's when it goes on Gumtree.

"Rare classic Renault Laguna RT Sport, alloys, good condition for year, MOT'd to November, just serviced. £800."

"Giv u 150 2nite m8"

"Oh, well, I suppose if that's your best offer... sure, come get it."

[Datsuncog]

On 4/6/2018 at 9:10 AM, Parky said:

How hard is it to remove the cam cover? I might be tempted to have a look to see if the cam is scored up as a result of running without enough oil supply. If it is, it will sound like a mark2 Cavalier circa 1991 even if the bottom end has survived.

Whatever happens good luck with any attempted restart! If it does sound like a bag of nails, can I suggest We Buy Any Car and a can of this? No idea if it really works (Quentin Wilson says it does, but he's a lying gobshite) but WCPGW?

http://www.enginerestore.co.uk/what-is-restore-engine-restorer-3-w.asp

Not that hard to remove the cam cover apparently, but Phil_A warned me off doing so while I was trying to work out whether a valve had stuck during its 3-pot running episode in November - apparently easy to muck things up with ham-fisted fumblings like mine.

I'm thinking that Engine Restorer or something might be an option (assuming the new oil stays in it after draining the dregs and changing the filter). The fact there is a bodge there at all makes me suspect that it's perhaps not the first time this has happened... it's never sounded wonderfully smooth, but then with 123k on it, I wasn't really expecting it to do so...

[Split_Pin]

I'm putting my (virtual) money on that just starting right up after you reattach the bodged pipe and add some oil. It's not based on anything, but it would be legendary if there was no internal damage!

[Datsuncog]

On 4/6/2018 at 10:03 AM, They_all_do_that_sir said:

Looks reasonably promising. If the crankcase breather gubbins is gummed up to begin with you'll have been running a higher crankcase pressure anyway which under load would have caused the bodged pipework to blow.

You do a lot of short journeys in this don't you? (train station car) - that'll gain you plenty of condensation.

If I've had a week of only using the merc for station duties I get a wee bit of condensation / mayo under the filler cap which dissappears on a big run.

My V70 had a blocked PCV which I was unaware of until I towed the caravan up a big hill and under load the excess pressure blew out a cam seal....not quite as dramatic as your failure mind.

Overall I'd be tempted to put it right, get it running and sell the thing. Your heart is in the silver one, I'd put money on you having it running in a day if you really wanted to, swap insurance over and away you go.

Yeah, all of this.

I really thought I wanted a nice Phase 1 Laguna, but I don't think this is the one.

It's annoying, as TAZ looks and drives pretty well, but ideally needs thrown in a barn for twenty years and then fully stripped and restored when it's a bona fide rarity. The previous owner has done some serious bodging, and it now feels like it's only a matter of time before something even more untoward happens when I'm out and about. Fuck that. I'm not a gambler at heart, and I was looking at it this morning and not thinking warm happy vibes.

What else has the old duffer bodged? Is one of the driveshafts perhaps a cut-down Videla mop handle and some cleverly crimped Alphabetti Spaghetti tins? Is the airbag actually a Tesco bag hooked up to a part-used aerosol of Poundland air duster? Fuck knows. This car has pissed on its chips, I'm afraid. It won't be getting (another) second chance, from me anyway.

I did give KAZ's battery a charge and tried turning it over last night with a snifter of Easy-Start, but still no dice. It's not turning over 'cleanly' if that makes sense - I've swapped both batteries round so that's not the issue (the one in KAZ was new in June), but it doesn't sound right somehow - like there's a sort of straining. Starter motor seems fine though, and will crank all day.

This is the same way she was back in September, the first time she failed to start after being unused for 6 weeks. I don't think it's anything to do with the immobiliser, as that generally allows the car to start and then kills it after running for two seconds. This time isn't not even coughing or sounding like it's thinking about starting - just a thin kind of cranking sound. I might try to shoot some video later, in case the collective hivemind can throw any light.

I'll pop the HT lead testers on her later and try again, to see if I have any spark - had really hoped it was just tank gunk and she'd start on the xylene, but seemingly not.

[Datsuncog]

On 4/6/2018 at 10:06 AM, beko1987 said:

Is there an Ireland version of Cannock?

Yep - Carryduff Auctions.

Last time I was there they had a Volvo 240 going through and a totally rotten Mitsubishi Sigma dumped in the far corner of the car park... it was a while ago, granted, but still... an indicator of their fine fare.

My uncle sourced most of the heaps he used for his plumbing business in there - a neverending cavalcade of 4-wk MOT Cortinas and Escort estates, held together with fibreglass matting and prayer...

[SiC]

I'd reconnect that pipe, throw oil in and see what happens. Give it one more chance and if it plays up again, then bean cans. I have some documentation I found on that oil separator and other such stuff I can send over when I get home (I'll try and remember to).

[Pillock]

You've got nowt to lose apart from a few litres of oil. The fact the scary lights didn't come on means hopefully the remaining oil was of sufficient quantity to keep pumping around and you stopped pretty quick.

 

Essentially it's either already scrap or it's fine, starting it up won't change anything. You've got Schrödinger's Laguna right now.

[Talbot]

I don't even think there's a few litres of oil to loose here. If there's still enough in the sump that it's just about on the tip of the dipstick, then fix the bodge (re-bodge it even for the moment) and fire it up. Even just a couple of litres of oil in the bottom of a sump is more than sufficient to allow an engine to idle while the car is parked.

 

If it runs well, top up the oil and drive. If it sounds like a bag of spanners, then concentrate your efforts on the other Lag.

[SiC]

I'd still top it up. The top half of the engine may be completely dry. Pouring oil in through the filler will at least let the pathways fill with oil again as it sinks back to the sump, on its next start.

[Datsuncog]

On 4/6/2018 at 10:28 AM, The Reverend Bluejeans said:

Chuck some oil in it and start it up. That will be the fucked/not fiucked moment. If it sounds all right, pressure wash the motor and see if it leaks and from where. the fact that it was rattling isn't good though.

That's my line of thinking right now - nothing much to lose at this point. I'd be looking to get the whole underside steam cleaned, though it's hard to tell what's the current slick, and what's the previous owner's penchant for spraying the underneath with a mix of used engine oil and diesel... at least, that's what he told me he did...

 

On 4/6/2018 at 11:43 AM, They_all_do_that_sir said:

I'd be tempted to put the effort into making KAZ roadworthy.

Then I'd set a time scale of sell or scrap for TAZ to keep the Mrs happy. Give yourself a couple of weeks to get it oil tight and whack it on gumtree.

Yeah, reckon I'm going to attempt to get TAZ running and usable (if possible) and then make a concerted effort to get KAZ starting and MOT'd. Then put TAZ up for sale. Realistically, it's the only one in a saleable condition - KAZ looks like something comedied-up for a rubbish sitcom character to drive, with missing bits, mismatched panels and gaffer tape covering holes...

 

On 4/6/2018 at 12:18 PM, Split_Pin said:

I'm putting my (virtual) money on that just starting right up after you reattach the bodged pipe and add some oil. It's not based on anything, but it would be legendary if there was no internal damage!

Well, there's only one way to find out! Watch this space...

 

On 4/6/2018 at 12:50 PM, SiC said:

I'd reconnect that pipe, throw oil in and see what happens. Give it one more chance and if it plays up again, then bean cans. I have some documentation I found on that oil separator and other such stuff I can send over when I get home (I'll try and remember to).

That'd be excellent, thank you - the HBOL covers so many different engine types that invariably the one they've used in the illustrations isn't the same as mine. It's the 1.8 8v multipoint fuel injection unit... anything might be handy, at this point!

 

On 4/6/2018 at 12:53 PM, Pillock said:

You've got nowt to lose apart from a few litres of oil. The fact the scary lights didn't come on means hopefully the remaining oil was of sufficient quantity to keep pumping around and you stopped pretty quick.

Essentially it's either already scrap or it's fine, starting it up won't change anything. You've got Schrödinger's Laguna right now.

Yup, I like that... Schrödinger's Laguna. Another new phrase enters the Autoshite lexicon - the nature of being both totally fucked and also absolutely fine, simultaneously, but you won't know which until it's started. How very Renault.

 

I'm slightly heartened by the fact there still seems to be some oil in the sump, so it didn't run itself totally dry the way it might if there was a ruddy great hole in it. How much comes out when I undo the sump plug might be an indicator of how bolloxed the motor might be. I don't entirely trust the dipstick not to be a bodge, either...

I'm uploading (slowly) the dashcam footage of the moment it started to make a bit of a noise - I would describe it as just going a bit tappetty, rather than sounding like a cwt of M6 bolts thrown into a Zanussi on a spin cycle. I mean, it sounded nowhere near as bad as my Viva did, and I drove it with fucked shell bearings for about five months (appreciate that the old Vauxhall 1256cc unit and Renault's Fonte lump aren't really comparable, but... to my ears it sounded just a bit louder, rather than the engine actively mashing itself). Now, I had thrown a can of Molyslip in before taking it down to Galway last year, so maybe there's been some protection offered...

If the rain abates, and other circumstances permit, I'll drain it, change the filter, and refill with fresh oil (cheapo ECP stuff) tonight to see whether starting is even on the cards. I don't think there's much point trying to effect a proper repair of the oil separator pipe just yet; I certainly won't be taking TAZ out of the driveway.

Stay tuned to this frequency...

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I'm starting to get a bit fed up with said rain now. I can count the amount of dry days we've had this year on one hand, and it's already April.

 

If you can get it running and sold you could even end up with one running goona and some spare cash to sort it's niggles.

 

Again, if you need tools or someone to point and laugh give me a shout...

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[Datsuncog]

Well, home from work but it's still pishing down here. I doubt that introducing rainwater into the oilways is going to help matters significantly... so no drainy drainy just yet.

Also had to renew the insurance for TAZ, as it's up at midnight tonight... I didn't mention that the car was potentially dead, but did find out that I can change the insured car within 14 days for no admin fee, so potentially there's a workable window to get KAZ up, running and swapped over if it proves that TAZ is unfixable.

In the meantime, here's the links to the full horror:

 

Dashcam footage of the actual breakdown is split across two timebands, annoyingly. But the tappetty chattering noise comes in quite suddenly; you can see that I quickly back off the throttle, and am onto the hard shoulder and braking within 25 seconds. The engine runs for 1 minute 10 seconds in total from the noise becoming apparent, to switching off.

Bonus hard shoulder recover and inglorious return in the sleet:

 

[SiC]

Hard to tell with headphones on and watching a dash cam, however that tapping doesn't sound all that bad?

also for that short period, surely not a lot of damage will have been done.

 

Best way of finding that out will be to drain the oil and cut open the filter. If metal chunks or grey sludge are in there, then its going to have suffered damaged. At least if there is still oil in the sump, the bottom end should have been splashing around in it.

[beko1987]

 You've got Schrödinger's Laguna right now.

Isn't that every laguna ever that's turned off right now? Technically mine is Schrödinger's Laguna, will find out at 4pm if it turns on!

[Split_Pin]

Doesnt sound too bad to me, esp when you opened the door there.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Doesn't sound terminal. This era of renault petrol engines are generally quite robust, its usually (IME anyway) the coolant side that kills them.

 

There was probably more oil still flinging its way around the engine than you think even after coming to a halt. I doubt its properly run dry.

 

I imagine you'll get it running again quickly but I'd still sell it on. Sometimes you get a warning shot with a car. And no doubt the new owner will get thousands of miles of trouble free motoring when you sell it on, always the way!

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[Dirk Diggler]

As said above a dipstick showing something on it, however low, has a surprising amount of oil inside

 

My 850 leaks like a sieve / has fucked rings and smokes cold; was a daily, now a toy; I've ran it (without realising) with nothing showing on the dipstick (literally it sounding like a tapetty bastard has made me realise)

 

Glug of oil and on she goes; and with a good drive beforehand it NCTs (Irish MOT, far stricter than an MOT) first time every year

[Datsuncog]

"Hi, and welcome to another edition of Springwatch.

"We might have a bit of a treat for you tonight. The earlier wet weather has now cleared and dusk is falling on this slightly milder April evening, so many of our Springwatch creatures are now awake and moving around.

"Let's go over to Gillian in Carrick and see what's happening. Gillian?"

"Thanks Michaela. Well, in the past few minutes we've noticed some activity around the Rennergoon burrow, and, with the sun now set and the streetlights coming on, we think there's a good chance that we might finally catch a proper glimpse of this elusive little fella. And I think - yes, if we just go over to our burrowcam - yes, that's our male just there, on the step. You can see him there, in his blue polycotton and denim plumage, just sniffing the air there for danger."

"Why is it that he comes out around this time? Because we saw him about the same time last night, didn't we, very briefly?"

"Well, we're not really sure why this species becomes active around twilight - possibly just utter disorganisation, but there may be an element of shame also. And look - there he goes now, clutching his little socket set. Right over to his quarry, that green shitheap on the drive."

"Wow. Just look at him go. Up with the bonnet, jack under the sill, axle stand up - he's really going for it, isn't he?

"He is indeed! And for good reason. You see, it's vitally important to our little Rennergoon that he gets this shitheap running again. If he doesn't, then he won't mate at all this year - and possibly not next year either. So the stakes are pretty high here."

"What's he doing now? He's dragged all those bottles over to the shitheap, and seems to be working away underneath."

"Yes, if we can just switch to the nightvision cam - yes, there we go - we can actually see what he's doing under the shitheap. So we can see he's found the stupid little square key for the sump nut, and he's bodging that into a 19mm deep socket to get the nut off and extract the oil, if any, that's within."

"That's fascinating. And is that what he's going to catch the oil in?"

"Well - yes, he seems to have a plastic 1-litre measuring jug and - I'm not sure, I can't really see that doing the job properly - "

"Oh, there we go! There's the oil! Wow - and there's a lot of it. Oh dear - it's already nearly full of the black stuff. Oh look, he's realised his mistake - he's trying to get the sump plug back on again - oh, it's going everywhere!"

"No, he really didn't think that through, did he? Rennergoons are, unfortunately, not always that bright. He's tipping that brimming jug into the waste oil canister now, but he'll have a lot of clearing up to do later, I'm afraid."

"Why did he do that? Why didn't he just put the waste canister under the sump in the first place?"

"I'm not really sure, Michaela - possibly he was trying to measure the amount of oil taken out, but most likely our male's just a bit thick. Anyway, he seems to have perfected it now - there's another litre drained, and look how he's learning - he's not taking the sump plug all the way out anymore, so he can quickly screw it back in to stop the flow when he needs to."

"That's still a terrible mess on the drive, though."

"It is, though that's the least of his problems right now. I think that's all the oil now - just over two and a half litres, plus all the stuff that got spilled, so on estimate about three litres or so drained in total."

"Is that enough?"

"No, not really - we'd normally expect to see between five and six litres out of a shitheap like this, so it's possible our Rennergoon's in trouble. You can see him working away now using a very basic tool called a chain wrench, to get the oil filter off. Oh, there it goes."

"And that's a new filter he's putting on?"

"Yes, although it doesn't look quite the same as the old one, does it? And that's the sump nut going back on now, so I think we might - yes, he's filling it up now. Look at the concentration on his little face as he tries not to spill it all over the place."

"Is that it done?"

"Nearly - it looks like he's put five litres in now, and is clearing away the tools and bottles while waiting for that to settle. Yes - you can see him checking the dipstick now with his little torch. Oh - and there's another half-litre of 10w/40 going in, for good measure. And down off the stands and jack."

"I'm surprised he can see anything in the dark like that."

"Yes, but although our male's eyesight isn't too good either, he'll be used to fumbling in low light conditions with poor access. It's a survival technique for this species, basically. Oh look - it appears that he's going to go for it."

"Yes, he's got the little keys in his hand - and opening the door. Ooh, this is exciting."

"We can see the lights on the dash come on and - ooooh. That doesn't sound right."

"Oh. That's - very loud, isn't it?"

"Yes, it shouldn't sound like that at all. There's a terrible knocking noise coming from the top of the engine. Like something wants to get out, very badly."

"He's letting it run... maybe in the hope of getting some more oil up around the camshaft and easing the noise?"

"Possibly, but it's not working. It's sounding even worse, if anything."

"No, there he goes - he's given up."

"Yes - he's turned it all off and thrown everything back inside the shitheap."

"Oh, goodness, he does look cross, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he really does - look at him there, stamping his tiny foot. Oh dear. He's not happy at all, our little Rennergoon. You can sense his frustration. Ah - and there he goes, scuttling back into his burrow. I don't think we'll see him again tonight."

"Aw. I feel a bit sorry for him - they look almost human in a way, don't they? Well, that's a sad end, but thanks for that Gillian - always fascinating to see these little fellas in the wild."

"No problem Michaela. Back to you in the studio."

"Well Chris, what did you make of all that?"

"Sounds like it's totally fucking fucked to me, mate."

[Datsuncog]

 

EDIT: link fixed (hey, at least that's one thing)

[SiC]

Damn. I think she's dying/dead.

 

Do you get more for driving the car to the scrapyard, or them picking it up? Might last long enough to get to the scrapyard. Or at least long enough to get away from home to be recovered to the yard.

 

Ps Tip, if you put [ video ] and [ /video ] tags (no spaces) around that link, it should embed the video onto the page)

[Datsuncog]

Yeah... it does sounds pretty terminal, doesn't it?

I'd probably get more by driving it to a yard, although there aren't that many local to me - possibly McKinty's yard in Glenoe. Most places here are "scrap cars lifted free", with maybe £50 for driving it to them. T-Met may offer more on the weighbridge, but I kinda balk at that as they'll just flatten it there and then, and there's a lot of (potentially) useful Phase 1 spares... I know those front splitters are quite sought-after for Sierras, for one.

Sadly, it looks like this could be the end of the line for TAZ. I may swap some bits over for KAZ, on the assumption I can ever get her started - there's new Rikens on those alloys, for one.

The irony remains that less than a year ago, I got rid of a near-identical Lag with a very rough body but a perfect engine...

Hey ho. Cars, eh?

The best bit is that this is far from my biggest challenge this morning - we had our hot water tank replaced yesterday, and now we've no hot water at all and there's a leak coming through the kitchen ceiling...

[mrbenn]

Balls ????

 

Good effort, shame you weren’t rewarded. I thought it’d be ok tbh.

[mrbenn]

Again, ???? Should be an unhappy face.

[SiC]

I guess the noise is coming from the top end? At this stage I'd be tempted to take the cam cover off and have a poke inside. Not much to loose if the next step is the 'yard.

 

What did the old oil filter look like inside? Any metal chunks?

[Datsuncog]

Old filter looked okay, nothing inside to give me any concern. I did make a half-arsed effort to cut it open with a hacksaw, but soon realised that was all a bit academic, really... though the new Fram filter from ECP wasn't quite as deep as the old one, and had some sort of spring-like assembly inside... it was really too dark to see what I was doing by this stage, and now I'm concerned that it's the wrong filter supplied and is starving the engine of oil... if it wasn't fucked before, it is now...

Yeah, I might take the cam cover off, just to have a poke. I think we're into autopsy territory now, anyway!

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Oh bugger...... I'm not a Renault fan if I'm honest, but admire anyone keeping rare/odd chod on the road. I do love reading the posts though, the springwatch report has made my day.

 

Chod speed to whichever of the steeds will serve you best good sir.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

....held together with fibreglass matting and prayer...

I like a bit of an oul pray....