DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

First the good. Some shining flakes in the oil but nothing more than normal. However, lots of crap on the sump plate. Perhaps rings??

Next I tried to do a leak down test but couldn't find a connector

Then I just tried a compression test first I got nothing then I switched to another gauge I've used before. First I got 25 then 50 (after taking out and rethreading the hose). Quite low but I wasn't convinced I had a good seal at the head so I tested on another cylinder got 75. Something not right

More investigation needed but seems to back up my idea that I lost compression.

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Hi Neil, Are those metal particles ferrous? Also, can you compare the condition of all four spark plugs? You definitely need to get a decent seal on the compression tester then compare all four cylinders. Just try to be methodical and take notes as you go. Good luck

Glad it’s back home Neil - good luck with the investigation / repair


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Ps I tried to put my camera down the spark plug hole but did succeed

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I would do this:
Choose a cylinder, set to tdc so both valves are closed.
By a home made tube, connect the plug hole to a car wheel with 30 psi in it.
Hold the crank with a spanner to stop any piston movement from tdc.

Now, listen…

Ear to the carbs, hissing heard means inlet valve in trouble.
Ear to the exhaust pipe, hissing means ex valve is in trouble.
Ear to engine breather, hissing means the rings are in trouble.

Repeat for the other 3.

A crude simple exercise but as Chris says, write results down and see if there is one point of interest or more.

I personally would remove the engine and slowly strip down to the short block, if oil looks good flush clean and build back up at minimum, or strip to the crank and work from there.

Thank you the plan is to remove the engine and refresh. It's about 25 years old. I hope that the case and crank are still good. Hopefully, the cam too as I like the smooth power in the lower rpm. I think I'm going to try and do the easier bits my self and have help with the head and long bolt.

I just need to get over the other build first.

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I don't say this very often but I cleaned a lot of dust and dirt off the car this morning

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cleaning engines take ages and ages, so you can save a few £ by doing the rough external cleans once the carbs etc are off and you get down to the long block level.
Will you DIY or send the actual refresh/repair whatever you find to a specialist?

This rebuild vid might be interesting to you then Neil, even though it's only for the Beetle engine ..
https://youtu.be/S3cMPJjuj2w?si=m--bPE5Mv78vKPMH

Thank you. I have the Pellow videos

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Sorry to hear about your engine woes Neil but both holidays looked cool.
I would recommend adding the full filtration oil filter mod for the 356 - not cheap but good value to protect your engines internals.
The Harry Pellow videos are an excellent reference ( and quite amusing ) I used them extensively when rebuilding my 912 engine.

Keep us all posted on both engine rebuilds ( we do like a rebuild thread ). I'm currently half way through my own Porsche engine rebuild but that's a bit more modern.

Good luck with it all and if you are missing any key tools its worth a shout out.

Andrew

Still having a mare with the RAC. They agreed that I would be reimbursed up to a certain amount of I send them a full invoice from the company that repatriated the car. Invoice send 8 days ago, called 2 days ago and nothing from them.

Also Admiral Travel insurance isn't useful or helpful. I specifically bgt cover with cancellation. Appears trip cancellation not covered for mechanical car breakdown and missing ferries/le Shuttle not covered before we didn't continue on with the trip. I asked them to cancel the policy as it has no value to me but they wanted to transfer me to another department so I gave up. To say they weren't helpful would be an understatement.

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I've had this kind of 'sod-off' approach recently, I think quite common now in the UK.
Always send a complaint. Customer Services contact at the bottom of many sites (scroll down endlessly) and send them your thoughts. Polite, factual but very firm.

Might yield results, will certainly vent your spleen.

I too go with the complaint route. The more they get away with ripping people off the more they'll do it. Insurance companies exist solely to make profit regardless of how they do so.

Also see if the company (s) has a Facebook page and give a full detailed account of your complaint, lack of empathy and crap customer contact/personal attitudes etc.........
They hate such things being posted on their social media pages, as they like everyone to think they are great.