Oil in the spark plug wells

[iainskea]

Well, another (my third in 4 years) breakdown in the middle of town. :crybaby:

This time, the engine spluttered a couple of times and then cut out. I rolled through a set of lights and pulled over to the great pleasure of the crowds - geez.

The spark plugs wells were full of oil. A check of the oil cap and two pieces of gasket fell into my hand. I pulled off the leads, covered in oil and soaked up the oil with a rag and screwdriver. Fortunately I broke down across the road from a super cheap car parts and a gasket was easily replaced.

The car started fine and home safe. New leads to follow.

sigh....

Iain

[USAndretti42]

At least it's timing was good, being across the road from a cheap parts place. Any other car would have continued running until the engine seized up when you were in you were in the middle of nowhere, probably at night, with no cellphone signal, in the rain, without a flashlight, with your wife or girlfriend, not in a convoy, on a deserted road, on your way to an urgent appointment, where the fate of the world rested on your shoulders, with no water or food, being chased by an axe murderer, having forgotten to carry your medication which you have to take regularly or lapse into a coma, in the path of a flash flood, next to a pack of wild lions, and in rather inconvenient circumstances.

[olli]

Hi,

in such a worst case, how is it possible to winch the car onto a car transporter or towing in an emergency?

I haven

[jimmybondi]

There is no towing eye on the old Esprits - ADAC guy used the triangle part of the lower front suspension on mine...worked fine.

[matk]

Another day in Esprit land! Glad that it was actually quite simple to fix! Most stories we get of Esprits coasting to a halt tend to invole lots of

[olli]

...ADAC guy used the triangle part of the lower front suspension on mine...worked fine.

How many times has your Esprit sit on an ADAC transporter?

Du machst mir Mut

[jimmybondi]

How many times has your Esprit sit on an ADAC transporter?

Du machst mir Mut

I am an ADAC (German equivalent to the RAC) Premium member - wanna hear more?

[olli]

I am an ADAC (German equivalent to the RAC) Premium member - wanna hear more?

sure!!! So I will know, what I will expect... :crybaby: .

Edited March 20, 2007 by olli

[WayneB]

One of the joys of motoring , mate!

Anyone who would gloat over your car breaking down is not a true motorist, so dont worry about it!

[Splashout]

Indeed just let it wash over you mate.

In my ownership I have broken down in an army barracks (car has Irish plates!!)

A packed housing estate where the kids where then all over the car like a rash.

However the best one was when I had the accident Toni(other half) was actually waving at the passers by as they gawped passed

[iainskea]

Thanks guys - although I didn't understand the German bit - but I am sure it was supportive.

Even though I was in agony at the time with a dead Lotus - you could still see the envy in all of the onlookers eyes.

I still wouldn't give her up for anything in the world.

Iain

[cly_mitchell]

I have broke down twice in the last year. I think my car enjoys the flabed. My dissy jumped from its hole, no parts just labor. My coil quit at night after 250 miles. Same thing happened both times. I am cruzing along and it dies, then the un burned fuel runs over a hot turbo, a big bang with big flames out the tail pipe, and I coast to the side of the road. First time was a night in traffic. The flames and explosion will cause traffic to yield. I always say "holy shit" and grab my fire extinguisher. You, my good man, are not alone.

Cheers

Clay