JonW Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 In a thread (http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?Id=112610) a few weeks back people mentioned that they were going to remove the foam and leave it out... I watched that thread with great interest as I was about to replace the foam in my R300 engine once I got back from my hols - im now back... I already have the foam and a new gasket (upon which I perform Oily's mods). I also have an Apollo fitted. ...so guys-who-removed-the-foam - any reservations after a few weeks hard use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 We haven't run with the 'crispy fried seaweed' for years now, after I picked out the sludge of our old one. www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 96,000 miles -1st 1.6k Supersport, '95 Motor Show car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyboy Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Similar to Angus....Removed mine several years ago...No problems to be reported! Dannyboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbutnotslow Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 If you talk to Dave Andrews he thinks the stuff is made by the Devil!! He wont let people fit it when he has done an engine rebuild. Have a look on Myles Davisons website here He had a engine fail because of this stuff having done only 250 miles!! Having said that people do thousands of miles with them in without a problem. Ive not run with one since my engine rebuild a couple of years ago and would not fit one. Grant Taylor OBNS Motorsport www.OBNS.co.uk 😬 183 BHP of Black and 'Stone Chip' excitement. 😬 here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old captain slow Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 No foam here 😬 C7 CDW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_C Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 The foam in mine was starting to crumble when pulled at 9.5k, but hadn't fallen apart. I doubt it would have been nice after another 2.5k, and I didn't put in a new piece. Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozz Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I've been running without sump foam and Oily's sump gasket mod since January to no obvious detriment as far as I can tell. I run with Silkolene Pro S 5W 40 and an Apollo. Must admit though I have noticed a few small bubbles in the oil on the end of the dipstick when checking the oil level which got me thinking. Bozz My Chocolate Orange here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil.cavanagh Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 What is Dave's secret sump gasket mod?? I'm going to drop my sump this weekend and take check/take out the foamy bit..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyboy Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Neil.. I think it is to drill a few holes in the gasket to allow oil to drain back through the gasket....This is on one side of the gasket only....easier to do than describe 😬 😬 Dannyboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_C Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Try here Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 having done only 250 miles The foam failed in under 70 miles actually. It was another 250ish miles before we pulled the engine out again and found the damage (and no foam - just a sludgy mess. A bit like a lava-lamp IIRC). Project Scope-Creep is live... Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻™ Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ferguson Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Just put in a new DVA 1.9K without foam & Daves mod, seems good for me. Engine is lovely, thanks Dave 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Mill Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Took mine out as a safeguard (only gone about 1400 miles but had used mineral and semi-synth oil so was worried by tales of mineral oils attacking the foam). The foam was still OK but slightly odd feeling as if it was gradually hardening. I did the Oily gasket mod but scrapped tmy original idea of fitting a one way flap below the extra holes (to inhibit oil leaving the sump in right handers) because of the need for a very shallow fixing of this flap given the LH side of the gasket has to sit in a narrow gap just above the ali plate in sump. Have seen no pressure problems on the road even with the level set about 2/3 up from the bottom of the permitted range but I have not really door-handled the thing yet. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishmaninwales Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 I have done 12 k miles without foam and no probs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonW Posted August 22, 2006 Author Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks everyone! Ive now done the oil change, fitted a new drilled gasket and removed the foam baffle - I will be keeping an eye on the pressure in corners and see how it goes. Interestingly the foam looked ok even tho my car has had a head gasket blow recently, but there were thin strips of someting in the strainer - approx 2mm wide by 8-10mm long. Is this the seaweed spoken about? It looks different to the baffle foam so im not really sure what it is otherwise... Cheers again for chiming in everyone! Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Mill Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I can't help thinking that, with the very different lifespans of different people's foams that a batch may have got made out of a different material to the original spec. Even in my small business I find it hard to make sure that repeat orders are made to the correct spec. I've had a number of situations where, for example, a supplier has made up antivibration mounts up out of whatever grade of material they happen to have on the shelf rather than the grade we need. I hear that CC have had a few changes of staff and that certainly won't help in such situations. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillinda Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Just removed my foam when I was down at DVA and Dave drilled 2 holes in the gasket to improve oil flow to the pickup. Oil pressure still seems fine on the road. Haven't got an Apollo fitted yet but there's one sitting at Nifty's if I can ever sort out transport arrangements. Hope it's not in your way Nifty? Phil 1997 Brooklands Green 1.8 Supersport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Interestingly the foam looked ok even tho my car has had a head gasket blow recently, but there were thin strips of someting in the strainer - approx 2mm wide by 8-10mm long. Is this the seaweed spoken about? It looks different to the baffle foam so im not really sure what it is otherwise... The 'crispy-seaweed' description is pretty-much bang-on - so I would guess your 2mm-wide strips aren't (directly) filaments from the foam. Did you get to see the HG when it was removed? Could be strips of rubber from that Project Scope-Creep is live... Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻™ Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonW Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 Hi Myles, No I didnt get to see the HG as it happened some miles before I bought the car. The strips seemed to disintegrate when squished with my fingernail and were very thin indeed so I didnt think they were rubber. there were a few at the bottom of the sump too and wiping them out with papertowel caused one to break up and smear on the rough surface in there. They were so weak that I dont think they would cause any damage if they went thru the engine but would easily block the oil pickups etc and it seemed they wouldnt break down unless 'squahsed'. All gone now I hope... there was less than 10 of these in there btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now