Stick, Weld, or Replace?

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24566
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Here is the offending article (off a Vauxhall Corsa). and it is not magnetic

The proper answer is replace-obviously not from our main dealer friends, but surprisingly the internet is not full of the exact part number (90 570 200). I am sure local scrappies will have plenty of apppropriate vehicles in, although a PITA to remove from an engine still in a vehicle.

but is a "repair" possible? Its a timing chain cover held on by 21 bolts. Repair wouldn't have to be mechanically strong but definitely oil tight.

Has anyone come across any epoxy glues which will reliably bond what I presume is some form of aluminium alloy?

or are there "specialists" out there who could weld aluminium alloy and repair it?
DSC00275.JPG
the crack exposed
the crack exposed
Regards Neil
Last edited by NewcastleFalcon on 19 Jun 2018, 22:54, edited 1 time in total.
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
Michel
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2207
Joined: 29 May 2017, 13:50
Location: Nothanks
My Cars: Some cars and a motorbike
x 659

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by Michel »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cargo-QuikStee ... teel+epoxy

Try that for size. I made a repair on a badly leaking crankcase on a Honda CBF125 some time ago, to save the pavements while a new cover was sourced.

No new cover has been sourced, and the thing is still holding thousands of miles later, and being on the bottom of the crankcase on a 125cc unfaired motorbike, it's *really* exposed to the elements.
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24566
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Michel wrote: 19 Jun 2018, 21:13 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cargo-QuikStee ... teel+epoxy

Try that for size. I made a repair on a badly leaking crankcase on a Honda CBF125 some time ago, to save the pavements while a new cover was sourced.

No new cover has been sourced, and the thing is still holding thousands of miles later, and being on the bottom of the crankcase on a 125cc unfaired motorbike, it's *really* exposed to the elements.


Thanks Michael that is a shot to nothing at £5.00 ish so I'll give it a go.

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by white exec »

Neil,
You have me foxed with those pictures.
If the crack runs across here...
Neil's cracked cover 3.jpg
...then you should get it aluminium welded, not patched.
Just google Welding-aluminium in your locality. A standard but specialist job, not expensive as a rule.
The repair should be a permanent fix.
Chris
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24566
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Chris

Crack is right where your line is. It is broken in two.....don't ask...suffice to say I thought there were only 20 bolts holding it on, and the stubbornness to come off was just 120,000 miles of inertia and a bit of aluminium/steel corrosion and goo.

It was no match for my gentle persuasion with a crowbar....particularly when the 21st bolt was hiding away out of sight. With all those holes to line up it allows no scope for much weld filler in the "gap".

I have read of the difficulties of welding aluminium alloys....I just presume that is what it is seeing as it isn't magnetic.
1crack.jpg
Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
white exec
Moderating Team
Posts: 7445
Joined: 21 Dec 2015, 12:46
Location: Sayalonga, Malaga, Spain
My Cars: 1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive hatch RHD
1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S
x 1752

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by white exec »

If it's a clean 'snap', and the two halves can be brought together without being in any way held apart, then a welder will be able to seam them without altering dimensions. The rear sealing (? gasket) surface should obviously be machined flat in the area of the weld. Shouldn't be a problem for a good workshop.

Down here, we have one local fabrication company that specialises in welding stainless steel and aluminium, which most jobbing garages/smithies aren't equipped to do.
Chris
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24566
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Anyone enjoy a bit of a mooch around a scrapyard? Makes it a bit easier if the cars are not piled on top of each other, or wedged side by side so tight you cannot get the doors open.

Well I found a Corsa in a nice position, with a timing cover the exact part number of mine. Another stroke of luck it was a little 3-cylinder job so there was plenty of room at the timing cover end of the engine.

Still not to belittle my own efforts, this is what Haynes considers a "four spanner" job ie "suitable for the experienced DIY mechanic". Obviously doing the job in a scrapyard puts at least another half a spanner onto the job!

£25, right part, nearly straying into expert DIY mechanic territory according to Haynes, got to be a minor victory! :-D

Voila!
NFalcon 4 and one half spanner DIY Mechanic!
NFalcon 4 and one half spanner DIY Mechanic!
Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Online
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Nice job. I like scrap yards; they help us to keep our beloved (or should that be bedevilled) cars on the road!
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by van ordinaire »

I used to like scrapyards but thought they'd all given into, health'n'safety, the green pleece - & property developers, until a couple of months back I found one on the old A20 I remember from when I were no but a lad.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
User avatar
Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur
(Donor 2018)
Posts: 1168
Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 17:24
Location: South Midlands / M4 / M5
My Cars: 405 naD Est
x 232

Re: Stick, Weld, or Replace?

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

talking of scrappies by the way, I notice that Jones over by Caen Hill Locks, Devizes way, list a C15 in their stock.
Puxa
Post Reply