Caterham engine failure
02-27-2009, 01:08 AM
#71
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Originally Posted by dreamer,Feb 26 2009, 03:41 PM
Running it in on track..... what other choice is there as it's not road legal
It's a pain, but it allows you to do what Ben says and not get in people's way or feel like you're holding others up.
02-27-2009, 02:17 PM
#72
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Just got back (am shattered!)
Picked the car up from Hinckley at about 6.30 and got to Oulton just as the briefing finished. Had to wait til 10 which allowed a spanner check in the paddock.
Spent most ofthe morning bring it up the rev's - one session up to about 4-5k, one up to about 5-6k, then up to 7.6 over the rest of the day. The last hour or so we were ragging it.
Not convinced it's right yet - was losing coolant (had to top it up twice) but then stabilised, and the oil pressure was dropping (first thing this morning idle was 70bar, by early afternoon it was about 40-45, under load about 70 bar - used to be 80 bar, but that's no good indicator - it was stable at about 70).
I drove completely rubbish however - wasn't until the last 45 minutes that I picked up the pace a little bit. Combination of new track, concern over the engine, and generally driving crap
Feelin very cross with myself now!
Picked the car up from Hinckley at about 6.30 and got to Oulton just as the briefing finished. Had to wait til 10 which allowed a spanner check in the paddock.
Spent most ofthe morning bring it up the rev's - one session up to about 4-5k, one up to about 5-6k, then up to 7.6 over the rest of the day. The last hour or so we were ragging it.
Not convinced it's right yet - was losing coolant (had to top it up twice) but then stabilised, and the oil pressure was dropping (first thing this morning idle was 70bar, by early afternoon it was about 40-45, under load about 70 bar - used to be 80 bar, but that's no good indicator - it was stable at about 70).
I drove completely rubbish however - wasn't until the last 45 minutes that I picked up the pace a little bit. Combination of new track, concern over the engine, and generally driving crap
Feelin very cross with myself now!
02-27-2009, 11:50 PM
#73
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Sorry to hear all this Jo, hopefully you'll get it all sorted in time for the first race.
I've probably got all this to come (hopefully not the exploding piston failure though), I heard my running for the first time over the phone yesterday but there's still a lot to do (go wrong).
Chin up, you know it's worth it in the end
I've probably got all this to come (hopefully not the exploding piston failure though), I heard my running for the first time over the phone yesterday but there's still a lot to do (go wrong).
Chin up, you know it's worth it in the end
02-27-2009, 11:55 PM
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It is, I'm having one of those "I'm not good enough to race I can't drive for toffee" moments though! Took me all day to pick up any pace, and even then it was still trackday pace rather than race pace I've turned into a girlie driver over the winter!!
But yes, it'll be worth it ! Just want to get out on track NOW, right n ow this minute before I forget everythin I learnt!
I've turned into a girlie driver over the winter!!But yes, it'll be worth it ! Just want to get out on track NOW, right n ow this minute before I forget everythin I learnt!
02-28-2009, 04:45 AM
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Not 100% convinced it s ok but yes you are right ! Why are tracks so bloody far from where I live
Brands Hatch GP in a couple of weeks and need to get a test day at Silverstone in, plus Pembrey and Mallory. First race isn't far away
Brands Hatch GP in a couple of weeks and need to get a test day at Silverstone in, plus Pembrey and Mallory. First race isn't far away
03-02-2009, 12:38 PM
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Compression test done today - all fine 
Small variation between cylinders but within tolerances Some water in the plugs but I think that is just crud from when it was all steam cleaned.
BH GP in a couple of weeks is the next time out - it's got a slipping belt and it's using a bit of coolant, the guy is going to have a look at BH
Mark - far from it you are good!!
Small variation between cylinders but within tolerances Some water in the plugs but I think that is just crud from when it was all steam cleaned. BH GP in a couple of weeks is the next time out - it's got a slipping belt and it's using a bit of coolant, the guy is going to have a look at BH
Mark - far from it you are good!!