Cracked Block info

[MR2Mania]

So what if you did have a thin wall block, and it is already built and running and after this thread you are really crapping your pants. What measures can you take to prevent cracking?

Well, *I* fall into that camp! Even though I only "suspected" I had a thin wall block (from Fraser doing a simple "tap" test on my original block) and went out and bought a brand new "thick-walled" block that was also not tested for thickness, I too don't know how thick my block is.

However, I'm not likely to strip my motor down or anything now, and it's not going to stop me from pushing the engine as much as I'd otherwise like. After all, the failures I've seen have been pretty apparent when they happened, enough to make you look into what was causing the problem. If at this stage you knew there was a problem, then you'd do something to remedy the problem. And hence the damage would be VERY little. However, if you were foolish enough to carry on driving it with a major issue, then you can expect a bigger repair bill.

Bottom line, if it ain't broke don't fix it!

I've fitted the TRD 1.3bar cap, IN CASE there's an inkling of truth in what this guy says, but to be honest I've done this more to see if it solves the "gurgling" issue.

[ENSMR2]

So what are the "symptoms" then.

I think I'll be safe rather then sorry and go for a thickwall block.

I'm guessing the ones Fensport sell are tested to varify they are actually thickwall blocks?

HTH,

N

[MR2Mania]

So what are the "symptoms" then.

If the block cracks, you'll notice that your temp gauge starts to look like a boost gauge (ie coolant temps go up with boost!).

I think I'll be safe rather then sorry and go for a thickwall block.

I'm guessing the ones Fensport sell are tested to varify they are actually thickwall blocks?

According Simon_W that had this issue, and bought a thick-walled block, apparently you CAN'T be guaranteed that it'll be a thick-walled block. You'll still need to get it ultrasonically tested. At the time of my build, I wasn't aware of this and hence just had the block bored out for my new pistons and off I went.

Speak to Fensport. I'd imagine that they've somehow cover it if they supplied a block that wasn't thick enough. Be sure to come back and tell us!!

[llenrub]

Dino,

Fraser came back to me on Monday. We had a fairly long conversation on this issue. I gathered from him that the block on the rev 2 'is' different to the rev 3 which satisfies me that the problem is more likely to be confined to the the early rev 3 model. Simon W blew his but it is probably a one off. Fraser felt very sure that my block would be OK. He would test it if I wanted it, but said it wouldn't be necessary.

[MR2Mania]

Dino,

Fraser came back to me on Monday. We had a fairly long conversation on this issue. I gathered from him that the block on the rev 2 'is' different to the rev 3 which satisfies me that the problem is more likely to be confined to the the early rev 3 model. Simon W blew his but it is probably a one off. Fraser felt very sure that my block would be OK. He would test it if I wanted it, but said it wouldn't be necessary.

That's good news, mate! =D>

BTW, he's a top bloke, isn't he?

[llenrub]

Yes, Whats his background?

[MR2Mania]

Yes, Whats his background?

LOL!

He's a guy that used to be in the TTE team responsible for the unbeatable Celicas in Group A rallying!

I think he was responsible for "destructive testing", and would basically test new components to destruction and document it all. What a job, eh, breaking things and getting paid for it? His work directly impacted on the cars' reliability in the rallies.

So basically, very few people know the 3SGTE engine better than Fraser!

Also, he's the guy responsible for bringing MoTeC into Europe (he FOUNDED MoTeC Europe, and got the ECUs introduced into the rally teams, etc).

He also kick-started Fensport's tuning, doing all of Adrian's mapping in the past until Adrian learnt how to do it himself.

Now, he's the Northern Hemisphere's authority on MoTeC ECUs, and travels all around the world mapping anything from extreme road cars to FIA GT engines and private rally teams, etc etc. That's why he's rarely in the country. If he's not in an Arabic country or South America, he's in Cyprus or somewhere else in Europe.

In short, one of the most respected men in Motorsport and Performance Tuning, and my hero!

Knowing all that about him now, isn't he a down-to-earth guy when you talk to him!

[llenrub]

"MY GOD" I feel extremely humbled. He travels all over the world. With a CV like that he must be- LOADED!!!!

I'm surprised he bothered to even get back to me. He called me the same day he arrived, and he was prepared to come a test the block for me.

[llenrub]

And Yeah, a very nice guy. He took the time and patience to make sure I understood what he was talking about. Many people in his position would display great arrogance and treat you with contempt if you didn't know a great deal.

[MR2Mania]

"MY GOD" I feel extremely humbled. He travels all over the world. With a CV like that he must be- LOADED!!!!

Put it this way, with the experience he has, he should be charging a lot more than he does. I think his prices are VERY reasonable when you take that into account.

I'm surprised he bothered to even get back to me. He called me the same day he arrived, and he was prepared to come a test the block for me.

I DID say that over PM. Did you mention my name, as normally if I refer someone to him, he tends to respond as soon as he can.

[ENSMR2]

So what are the "symptoms" then.

If the block cracks, you'll notice that your temp gauge starts to look like a boost gauge (ie coolant temps go up with boost!).

I think I'll be safe rather then sorry and go for a thickwall block.

I'm guessing the ones Fensport sell are tested to varify they are actually thickwall blocks?

According Simon_W that had this issue, and bought a thick-walled block, apparently you CAN'T be guaranteed that it'll be a thick-walled block. You'll still need to get it ultrasonically tested. At the time of my build, I wasn't aware of this and hence just had the block bored out for my new pistons and off I went.

Speak to Fensport. I'd imagine that they've somehow cover it if they supplied a block that wasn't thick enough. Be sure to come back and tell us!!

I would have thought they couldn't advertise them as thickwall block if they weren't sure themselves! Don't they leave themselves open to many comebacks. ie if some one buys one, doesn't get it tested, it goes wrong, then finds out it wasn't thickwalled, couldn't they take action?

Seems risky.

I'm sure they are decent enough to accept/sort out any problems that may occur. They've been really helpfull whenever I have called.

HTH,

N

p.s. Dino did you get my pm on the stock manifold?

[MR2Mania]

I would have thought they couldn't advertise them as thickwall block if they weren't sure themselves! Don't they leave themselves open to many comebacks. ie if some one buys one, doesn't get it tested, it goes wrong, then finds out it wasn't thickwalled, couldn't they take action?

Since no one else bothered to ring Fensport to find out, I asked them today when I called.

Basically, since Toyota don't guarantee themselves that the blocks they supply are defo going to be thick-walled, Fensport are in a sticky situation. They SHOULD be thick-walled, but there may be a slim chance that they're not.

Bottom line though is, Fensport being Fensport, if for whatever reason the block they supply is NOT within tolerances, they will replace it for you. However, the onus is the on purchaser really to ultrasonically test it to ensure that it conforms.

Can't say fairer than that really!

[MR2Mania]

Incidentally, have been thrashing the car a fair bit over the last few days, and I've not noticed any gurgleing noises since fitting the 1.3bar cap. Will keep an ear out for it still though...