Engine Bay temps

[Andy Best]

I the spring I upgraded to a DVA 1800cc Scholar blocked VHPD spec engine, the engine is great 😬.

 

One problem I have is on longish spirited drives the starter seems to get very hot to the point it's turning over slowly. Twice since the upgrade the car has need a push to start, a bit difficult when you're on your own ❗

 

As part of the upgrade I fitted a new redtop battery so I know thats OK, also on a cool day blatting and gentle runs (well I have been running in) the car will start when hot. It's also not the K series click of death as the starter is turning the engine just too slow to start.

 

As a 1.6ss I never had this problem even on the hotest runs on the Lemans trips, does anybody know if the VHPD produces noticably more exhaust heat than the 1.6 🤔 I am just trying to work out if I should fit a new starter or some heat insulation as the car will be going to Emerald for a mapping session on the way to 50 years of the seven and I don't want to run into starting problems whilst I am there.

 

Cheers Andy

[shn7]

2 reason it may be turning over more slowly.

 

1. Higher compression? Though this would be hte case cold as well as hot.

2. Not enough power reaching the starter. I would suspect you have a cable or connection that is starting to break down when hot and are one step away from the click which is also usually not enough power reaching the starter/solenoid due to a poor connection somewhere.

 

Steve.

Sussex (West) AO

Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear

[Rob Walker]

The map that you are running may have too much ignition advance. Also not helped by higher compression and the engine may be a bit tight. When an engine produces more power it is inevitable that it will produce more heat as a bye product.

[Andy Best]

Thanks for the comments, Rob do you know what is a good figure for advance when the engine is hot to start?

[shn7]

Ignition advance might stop an engine starting but surely won't cause it to turn over slowly .

 

Steve.

Sussex (West) AO

Not forgetting Percy the Polar Bear