Weekend plans and car updates

Popped in to see my car last night. Its in Sheffield engine services in Hillsborough. I got shown what had happened, and there were two faults : the turbo. We knew about this, but I actually got to see what had happened, and the fins (the bit that sucks air in) had completely detached and was freely moving inside the housing - knackered. Also, in the cylinder head theres this cracked valve port, but more interesting than that, its had a water problem for ages, and this could be seen as a fault with the head too. Its good, because I thought that was related to a fan not coming on in the engine bay, and that I would probably still have that problem when I got it back. So, the plan is - replace big end bearing shells, replace turbo and new cylinder head. The bores have been measured, and have no lip on them so essentially, its a full engine rebuild. I think this is a good reason to keep it herethereafter - I will know everything about it, and the whole lot will have been done. It will have had a new timing belt and everything, and these are expensive jobs to do later, so better now whilst its in bits. Also, it hadnt actually siezed. The oil leaking in from the turbo had gotten into the bores and they were hydraulic'ing - i.e the piston couldnt get to the top of the cylinder because there was oil in the way. When the man removed the head, he could turn the bottom of the engine over. Which is good. But we are still talking £2260 ex VAT.

 

After that little tour I popped to the Foundry for a short session. Bumped into Joe Brown which was a pleasure. He is hoping to be out on Saturday morning club (early) tomorrow. Plan I think will be to go to Rubicon. Especially if its going to be cooler, then perhaps I will get on better if I can find a belayer for Zeke. Also, theres the trio on the kudos wall to nip in a session. Speaking to Rob Napier, it sounds like Sharples has been to WCJ Cornice, and that its 'ok, but not dry enough for red pointing' - what does that mean? I think he is on Monsterossity. Bentley went last night, so when it gets to a sensible hour I will give him a text.

 

Finally, the school situation looks dire. I heard from Nic last night who attached a leaked fire report on the building from the council. Its very damning and I really dont hold much optimism for our getting back in there. A concerted effort to find a new home needs to be organised.