Final Post on k series foam sump baffle

[Mort]

From me:-

Bog standard 2005 Rover K Series 1.4 Classic.  EU3. 14000 miles.

Caterham branded fully synthetic oil

Caterham branded OAT coolant

Caterham supplied oil filter

Oil and filter changed annually, irrespective of mileage 

Foam changed annually, irrespective of mileage. Sump gasket changed annually.

Road use only - "enthusiastic" driving, but not 'lunatic' mode

Car purchased at 5 years old and 2000 miles.  Rarely used by previous owner.  Oil changed once during original ownership.

Original foam found to be in good condition, but changed anyway, along with oil and filter (see above). Subsequently foam has been in good condition when changed.

Coolant changed upon purchase.  Changed again when silicon hoses fitted. Changed again when clutch replaced.

All work carried out initially by Caterham, but now by independent Caterham specialists SPY  Motorsport (highly recommended!).

Approx 3000 miles per year initially, now down to a shameful 1000 miles per year following MX5 purchase.

if you need any more info then let me know.

 

 

[21jigsaw]

Hi, I have taken 2 pieces of foam, placed 1 in OAT and 1 ethylene glycol coolant brought to the boil and simmered for 20 minutes now on the shelf in the garage soaking. 
Been soaking for 22 days now 

No swelling , shrinking or deterioration . Coolant does not appear to have an adverse effect.

Back in the oven thermocouple embedded in the center of the foam

120 deg c OK

in steps of 10 deg c

felt slightly course in texture at 160 deg c

Continued to 255 deg c. although softer. no delamination

The elastomer on the head gasket fails  250 deg c .Degradation start around the 200 deg c.

No closer to  the cause of failure!!!!!

Dave

[Jonathan Kay]

I wasn't optimistic but congratulations on doing the experiment.

What was the product you tested as "OAT coolant"?

Jonathan

[Mucus72]

Survey responses from me:

Only cars with foam fitted or suffered foam failure (foam fitted, no failures)
engine size 1.6
approx bhp 150
have you suffered overheating issues / airlock etc. Y/N One airlock once, fixed via drilling hole in thermostat
appollo / laminova fitted Y/N Y
wet sump only Y/N Y
Type of running :-
gerenal road Y
track day Y
racing N

[john milner]

Foam no longer fitted or failed so this relates to up until it was removed:

engine size = 1800 VVC
approx bhp = 160
have you suffered overheating issues / airlock etc. N
appollo / laminova fitted N
wet sump only Y - (BTW I don't think that foam is used with dry).
Type of running :- general road

Binned 20,450 miles after about four changes in eight years. No problems with it at all just playing it safe.

Oil grades 5/40 and/or 5/50 full synth, Comma and Carlube.

Red coolant from Caterham. Probably Comma Xstream.

No coolant top-ups or significant oil usage.

cooling related  failures / issues during this period . N
any major engine issues N

[CharlesElliott]

Try putting in a mixture of engine oil and coolant....

[Anton]

Only cars with foam fitted or suffered foam failure
engine size 1800cc Rover K
approx bhp 140
have you suffered overheating issues / airlock etc. N
appollo / laminova fitted N
wet sump only Y
Type of running :- general road in all weather conditions 365 daya a year - over 60,000 miles in 4 years 

The following questions are for Foam failure only
approx age  of foam in months
year of foam failure
approx milage before failure
oil grade type and brand used.
coolant type and brand used.
did coolant require top up during this period that the foam was fitted.
cooling related  failures / issues during this period . Y/N
any major engine issues / work carried out prior to foam failure. Y/N

Note oil was Syner Z every 6,000 miles, new foam every 12,000, coolant required topping up around once a month, but oil never needed topping up between services.  Coolant loss was caused by a leaking valve and heater matrix.  Both replaced, valve still leaks a little.