Stick, Weld, or Replace?

[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?

the crack exposed

Regards Neil

[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.

[NewcastleFalcon]

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

[white exec]

Neil,
You have me foxed with those pictures.
If the crack runs across here...

Neil's cracked cover 3.jpg (41.09 KiB) Viewed 383 times

...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.

[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.

Regards Neil

[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.

[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!

Voila!

NFalcon 4 and one half spanner DIY Mechanic!

Regards Neil

[Hell Razor5543]

Nice job. I like scrap yards; they help us to keep our beloved (or should that be bedevilled) cars on the road!

[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.

[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.