Found my oil leak...
03-07-2003, 05:07 PM
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Found my oil leak... It's unfortunate, but at least I know why I haven't been able to get the engine to stop leaking oil...
<img src="http://www.coffeyracing.com/images/misc/cracked_block.jpg" alt=" - " />
I didn't magnaflux the block until late this afternoon, so everybody at ARE had already gone home for the weekend. I'll get with Wade on Monday and see if we can come up with a plan to get me back up and running as soon as possible...
I have no doubt that Wade and ARE are going to do what's necessary to take care of me...
<img src="http://www.coffeyracing.com/images/misc/cracked_block.jpg" alt=" - " />
I didn't magnaflux the block until late this afternoon, so everybody at ARE had already gone home for the weekend. I'll get with Wade on Monday and see if we can come up with a plan to get me back up and running as soon as possible...
I have no doubt that Wade and ARE are going to do what's necessary to take care of me...
03-07-2003, 05:23 PM
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Re: Found my oil leak... Sorry to hear it George,I'm sure they will help you get it back to screaming soon. Thanks for your advice on the cam situation as well.
Mike
Mike
03-07-2003, 05:27 PM
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Re: Found my oil leak... Just what I thought, the plug thing was to easy of a fix...It always seems to be the things you don't want them to be....It will be up before you know it!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
03-07-2003, 06:33 PM
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Re: Found my oil leak... Not that it applies in this case...
If you have non-stressed area of an aluminum casting, and want to do a quick fix:
Determine the full extent of the crack (as you have done) using dye-penetrant (technically, magnetic particle inspection is for ferrous objects, AKA Magnaflux).
Drill an 1/8" hole at the termination point of the crack to stop crack propagation.
Clean crack surface 1/8"+ on each side of crack.
Cover crack and holes with Devcon or JB Weld.
I've done this to intake manifolds, heads, side covers, etc. with about 90% or better success.
If you weld it, you should check for cracks again after you are done, as localizing heat from a torch sometimes will form new cracks. Also check for warping in critical machined area around the weld.
<small>[ March 07, 2003, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: McRat ]</small>
If you have non-stressed area of an aluminum casting, and want to do a quick fix:
Determine the full extent of the crack (as you have done) using dye-penetrant (technically, magnetic particle inspection is for ferrous objects, AKA Magnaflux).
Drill an 1/8" hole at the termination point of the crack to stop crack propagation.
Clean crack surface 1/8"+ on each side of crack.
Cover crack and holes with Devcon or JB Weld.
I've done this to intake manifolds, heads, side covers, etc. with about 90% or better success.
If you weld it, you should check for cracks again after you are done, as localizing heat from a torch sometimes will form new cracks. Also check for warping in critical machined area around the weld.
<small>[ March 07, 2003, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: McRat ]</small>
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03-07-2003, 09:58 PM
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Re: Found my oil leak... Thanks guys... I'm sure I'll be up and running again within a reasonable time.
McRat, I think I may indeed try to temporarily fix the problem like you described. If it works, it would benefit all parties involved, as I would temporarily have a car to do some pre-season testing/preparation, and ARE won't have to go way out of their way to get a block done up for me.
I'll play around with it tomorrow and see what I can figure out. Having to drill holes makes me nervous, as I'm not totally sure how thick the material is, or what I may potentially drill into (an oil galley or water passage) that could cause problems. I don't have an easy way to heli-arc aluminum, so I'll have to try a cold-steel (JB Weld) type of solution.
McRat, I think I may indeed try to temporarily fix the problem like you described. If it works, it would benefit all parties involved, as I would temporarily have a car to do some pre-season testing/preparation, and ARE won't have to go way out of their way to get a block done up for me.
I'll play around with it tomorrow and see what I can figure out. Having to drill holes makes me nervous, as I'm not totally sure how thick the material is, or what I may potentially drill into (an oil galley or water passage) that could cause problems. I don't have an easy way to heli-arc aluminum, so I'll have to try a cold-steel (JB Weld) type of solution.
03-07-2003, 10:22 PM
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Re: Found my oil leak... If you are going to weld it, you'll still need to drill at least the end of the crack. Drilling stops the crack from growing most of the time. The end of the crack is a stress riser. It focuses load in a small area and takes little actual force to grow.
Cracks are caused by 3 primary causes:
Casting stress/flaws induced at the time of manufacture. These grow. Can usually be welded.
Impact damage. Doesn't usually grow much. Can usually be welded or left alone. No drilling necessary in most cases because the metal actually wants to return to it's pre-cracked shape.
Excessive stress from loading. In your case unlikely. This requires grinding out the whole crack, and welding it up a bunch, then blending the weld smoothly to adjoining surfaces. Will probably crack again over time in same general area. This is just too much load for the structure of casting, and nothing short of reinforcement will fix it.
Cracks are caused by 3 primary causes:
Casting stress/flaws induced at the time of manufacture. These grow. Can usually be welded.
Impact damage. Doesn't usually grow much. Can usually be welded or left alone. No drilling necessary in most cases because the metal actually wants to return to it's pre-cracked shape.
Excessive stress from loading. In your case unlikely. This requires grinding out the whole crack, and welding it up a bunch, then blending the weld smoothly to adjoining surfaces. Will probably crack again over time in same general area. This is just too much load for the structure of casting, and nothing short of reinforcement will fix it.
03-09-2003, 12:14 AM
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Re: Found my oil leak... </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by GeorgeC:
<strong> It's unfortunate, but at least I know why I haven't been able to get the engine to stop leaking oil...
<img src="http://www.coffeyracing.com/images/misc/cracked_block.jpg" alt=" - " />
I didn't magnaflux the block until late this afternoon, so everybody at ARE had already gone home for the weekend. I'll get with Wade on Monday and see if we can come up with a plan to get me back up and running as soon as possible...
I have no doubt that Wade and ARE are going to do what's necessary to take care of me... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What area of the back of the block is this. Do you have a pic zoomed out some?
<strong> It's unfortunate, but at least I know why I haven't been able to get the engine to stop leaking oil...
<img src="http://www.coffeyracing.com/images/misc/cracked_block.jpg" alt=" - " />
I didn't magnaflux the block until late this afternoon, so everybody at ARE had already gone home for the weekend. I'll get with Wade on Monday and see if we can come up with a plan to get me back up and running as soon as possible...
I have no doubt that Wade and ARE are going to do what's necessary to take care of me... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">What area of the back of the block is this. Do you have a pic zoomed out some?
03-09-2003, 08:05 AM
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Re: Found my oil leak... damn george, i think the 9 grand chip needs to come out of the 2-step <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
03-10-2003, 11:35 AM
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Re: Found my oil leak... Finding the pesky leak has been half the battle - best of luck getting things back into working order George !
Happy driving,
Rob (Bad30th)
Happy driving,
Rob (Bad30th)
03-11-2003, 01:31 PM
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Re: Found my oil leak... Update...
I spoke to Wade yesterday, and he's prepping a new block for me. It may take a few weeks, since things are pretty busy right now, but I have faith that I will receive the replacement in a timely manner.
I'm ready to get this thing fixed back up and start racing again. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
ARE kicks butt!!!!!
I spoke to Wade yesterday, and he's prepping a new block for me. It may take a few weeks, since things are pretty busy right now, but I have faith that I will receive the replacement in a timely manner.
I'm ready to get this thing fixed back up and start racing again. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
ARE kicks butt!!!!!
