z-ya Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 For most of the season, the race car performed really well. 5-6 events at NHMS in Loudon NH, 1 at Mid Ohio, and 1 at Nelson Ledges. I has been a great season, until this past week. Last Friday at a BMW event at Loudon, we blew the head gasket (it has been detonating on and off all season, so I'm not surprised). As we were taking it off the trailer to swap a new head gasket in, it died. Wouldn't start. Had to use the starter to get it off the trailer. So we swaped a new gasket, and try to start it. No spark. ZX distributor module died. Ok, so I rig up a 280Z distributor with an HEI module. OK, now we have spark, but no signal to the Megasquirt. Pulled the cover off the Megasquirt to find a burnt circuit board and input circuit. OK, the ignition failure took the Megasquirt with it. So I replaced the damaged components and bypassed the damaged parts of the circuit board. OK, so now it starts. Sounds good, but as it starts warming up, the radiator springs a leak. OK, so I put in a spare 4 core I have kicking around. Now it starts, and doesn't leak any fluids. Today when I start it to move it out of the garage, it starts running rough, and I look in through the cowl induction hood, and I see flames. The engine is on fire! I grab the extinguisher and put it out. The high pressure line at the fuel rail sprung a leak on the altenator which must have sparked the fire. Last and this coming Sunday I was planning on doing time trials. I am NOT doing any more track days this year. This car does not want to go to the track. I am going to leave it alone for at least a month so it can think about what it has done to me So to recap: - Blew a head gasket - Fried an ignition module - Toasted a Megasquirt - Breeched a radiator - Had an engine fire All in less than 5 days. Had better weeks.... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Wow Pete that really sucks. The fire really adds insult to injury. Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 At least mine goes 3 to 4 weeks before it throws a temper tantrum. Yours had the 3-year old equivalent of lying on the floor, kicking and screaming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 tuff z Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 pete, i think it's tired and ready for hibernation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 A man's gotta know his limitations... Sounds like you do! Tracking is fun, but hard on the hardware! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayolives Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Like the NASCAR guys say, "just one of them racin thangs". If keeping a race car together was easy and without hassle, the track would be flooded with boneheads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnusx1 Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Arrrgh! When it rains, it pours; as they say. It is time to nestle the Z down for a comfortable, seasonal rest, and start mixing up some early eggnog. I am sure she will be good and ready to reward you next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Seem like Murphy has made a new home in your Z, sorry to see, giving it a rest will pro bely make him board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Be grateful those items were not spread out over successive track events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z-ya Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 Be grateful those items were not spread out over successive track events. Exactly. Except for swapping the R190 out at Mid Ohio because of a pinion seal leak, it has not failed us at an event (oh yea, blew the head gasket late in the day). It is officially hibernating for the winter... Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zpizzaman20 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Race cars are as finicky as the wife, you do rub the dash above the gas gauge every time you get in? Fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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