I blew the Alfa's head gasket on the track

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
05/14/2020 at 20:59 • Filed to: The Alfa Doesn't Have A Tag Yet, blue pill

I feel like I could tell the story of what happened today just with rejected headlines for this post:

I took 2 cars to the track and only broke 1.5 of them

Boom goes the head gasket

I blew a head gasket and boiled a clutch

Peeing in a bottle in a storage unit was not the worst part of my day

Old Italian car comes over all old and Italian

I guess it is time to LS swap the Alfa

I blew my head gasket and boiled my clutch

One car down and the other wounded

Well at least I got a hot lap in before it all went wrong

This is why I can’t have nice things

I found another thing I’m not very good at

Track day really blew

Track day got all hot and steamy

It has been a doozy of a day

And it indeed has been a doozy of a day. A Real doozy.

The day started at 6:10AM when my alarm went off, telling me that is was time to get off my lazy ass, feed the dogs, and drive the Alfa the forty minutes to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit for a private, Alfa “only” event. The organizers had made some changes to the format that seemed to make the safety of the event acceptable, so I decided to go.

On the way in I was briefly behind a white, rental spec Malibu which promptly drove through some roadkill and flung a chunk of viscera onto the windshield, just out of the range of the wipers. Watching a fresh chunk of a former animal flap in the breeze for the next twenty five minutes felt like a omen.

I tried not to read into it.

I arrived on time, against all odds, and set about catching up with people and chatting with a friend, Brady, who I’d invited to pad out the numbers. Shortly after 8:30 we had an overly brief safety meeting, and began the the day.

ignore the “In-Lap,” it didn’t trigger correctly.

Due to some drop-outs because of weather, Brady, myself, and another Series 3 Spider were in group three of four. When our turn came up we did some pace laps with “Mad Mike” running in front of us in lieu of the usual in-car instruction.

After a few laps we were set loose, but shortly thereafter our time was up.

About an hour later it was time for another go, and this is where things went south.

I was posting good lap times and the Spider was running well. After an overtake of the other S3 Spider, I noticed some water on the windshield which seemed... odd. As I was passing the pit lane I realized the volume of water was increasing and also coming from my car.

Shit.

I did an emergency dive for the pit lane, sadly not my last of the day, and returned to my paddock.

When I popped the hood I was greeted with an all too familiar sight: Coolant had squirted out of the (non pressurized) overflow tank. I took temperature readings with an IR thermometer but the car didn’t appear to be overheating, with the hot side of the radiator reading 190F, which isn’t terribly abnormal.

Still, my temperature gauge was slightly higher than normal.

I consulted the Alfa expert and his best guess was I had too much coolant in my overflow.

Reasonable.

Since I’ve had similar problems before when the system was vapor locked, I went ahead and opened up the bleeder to make sure there weren’t any bubbles.

There were not.

At least not in the bleeder.

However when I started the car for the bleed, a different Alfa expert noticed bubbles in my expansion tank.

A lot of bubbles.

That.... isn’t normal.

:sigh:

The now constant stream of bubbles paired with the small oil slick in the overflow reservoir led everyone to conclude the head gasket had failed or, more likely, has been bad for years but the hard driving today finally caused it to become a major problem.

Since this was right around lunch, the oil in the engine was still oil-colored (no milkshake), and the car appeared to be OK under normal driving, I took off towards home like a bat out of hell, heater cooking my feet to mid-well in an attempt to keep the engine temps down.

Before I hit the highway I called my partner and asked him to meet me at my storage unit with the Volvo keys in forty minutes. Confused and alarmed, he agreed.

Forty minutes later a Jeep and an Alfa met outside a dingy storage facility, keys and hugs were exchanged. I stuffed the Alfa in storage, top still down, and sped off back to the track in the Volvo.

The good news is past Akio left me with a full tank of gas in the Volvo. The bad news is some time since I last put the Volvo in storage an unseen windshield chip turned into a massive windshield crack. The nebulous existential dread news is I had no idea how well the C30 was going to track. It has been maintained by my mechanic to the usual Volvo maintenance schedule. I had no idea what the condition of the brakes or brake fluid was... or really any other wear item.

Still, I was probably only going to get one or two runs before the end of the day so... I motored.

I arrived at the track right as my group was finishing their run, and proceeded to clean all of the daily driver trash out of the Volvo in perpetration for hooning it.

And then I hooned it.

Yes I turned the traction control off, even though it would have turned itself off after a couple laps anyway

This gave me several very new experiences:

Driving the Volvo in anger

Driving on a track in a car with a roof

Driving on a track in a car with AC*

Driving on the track in a front wheel drive car

*Yeah I probably could have turned it off, but the Volvo has a WOT AC cutout so I figured it wasn’t hurting my lap times too bad. Also it was hot out!

That last one was the real kicker. I mean... going from the Alfa to the Volvo was bound to be weird. One is a RWD convertible with manual steering and the other a FWD hatchback with electric power steering. Overall the Volvo was, of course, faster, about 15 - 20 seconds per lap, but a lot less predictable and not confidence inspiring. It just didn’t feel as composed and was actually slower in some of the tight corners, making up its time in the straights.

The temperature did creep up a bit here and there, but quickly went down on some of the longer curves or easier sections.

Then I boiled the clutch.

Which I’ll be honest I didn’t think was an option.

On the last lap, right as I was seeing the checkered flag (signal this is to be your last lap) I went to grab 2nd for the main straight and the clutch pedal didn’t fully return. While I was still accelerating like a blue rocket, I figured this was a great way to turn a clutch into smoke, and ditched at the start/finish line.

Turns out if you boil the brakes on a manual Volvo C30 the clutch goes before the brakes do? I’d call that a feature because I’d much rather not have a clutch than not have brakes.

And there ends my track day.

Luckily after sitting for a few the clutch came right back and I was able to drive again. I pulled into my paddock for the last time and, as is the tradition, cracked a celebratory beer while packing up.

Forgetting of course that I’d skipped lunch... and breakfast... so that beer was now making up approximately 50% of my consumed calories for the day...

The drive home was uneventful. I stopped by the storage unit to visit the stricken Alfa, connect it to a battery tender, put the top up, and grab my dash cam.

Then I went home and wrote this post.

Current mood:

DISCUSSION (30)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:07

At least you didn’t need an extinguisher.

Captain of the Enterprise > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:07

That’s a rough one. Sorry to hear about it.

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:11

Well, that’s the best place to blow one.

facw > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:11

That’s not great...

Hope getting them both running properly again isn’t too much trouble.

Chariotoflove > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:15

Damn.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:19

Oh man, I feel for you my friend.

When you made your post about track day being in a week and you haven’t done any prep yet, I was going to reply “What could go wrong??”

Now I’m glad I didn’t.

smobgirl > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:21

“At least they died doing what they loved...?”

(Sorry, that sounds like a fun but also really shitty day)

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:31

Livin’ the T shirt.

Kinja'd!!!

https://www.blipshift.com/products/the-three-rs-iii

(Shirt design brought to you by an Oppo - don’t remember who )

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 21:51

Damn, poor Alfa :(

Any damage to the engine from the blown gasket?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
05/14/2020 at 21:58

Probably not but there are mummers of doing a full rebuild anyway. (I just do what the club tells me to haha)

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 22:05

You made it sound a lot worse than it actually ended up! That actually sounds like a successful track day. Shit WILL break at the track, that’s inevitable. But not leaving on a flat bed means you are successful. I’ve witnessed more than a dozen cars leave on unintended flat beds on hot days. Quite the adventure you had there at least.

I broke my miata at autoclub Speedway as well as Laguna Seca. First one at ACS I went to shift from 4th gear into 5th at about 100mph and the gear lever just kept going into the nether. I was convinced that I broke my gearbox. But it just ended up being the bolts holding down the lever had backed themselves out and finally let loose under stress. I was able to mend it in the paddock and only lose out on one session. The Laguna Seca mishap was my fuel pump was cutting out on hard left turns. I mended that by putting more gas in lol. It was God damn $6 per gallon at the track but opportunity cost I guess. I was spooked though and skipped my last session since my diff was also leaking. All in good fun on track days though!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 22:13

Sounds like a cacophony of catastrophe, but a bad day on the track sure beats a boring day in quarantine. Hope the Alfa isn't too bad off from this ordeal. Windshield crack really sucks hard too.

MM54 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/14/2020 at 22:26

Sounds like a rough day, but on the bright side:
1) You probably had fun while on-track
2) You’re more familiar with the limits of your daily and safer for it
3) You have an excellent excuse to rebuild the Alfa’s engine, or at least refresh the top end

CompactLuxuryFan > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 01:23

Sounds pretty par for your adventures! I’m sure you’ll have the Alfa back up and better than ever in due time. I don’t think you’ll LS swap it. Makes me wanna go on track! In my X3!

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 01:29

Want a free 2 liter alfa head gasket? It’s been on my racing pegboard for 30 years. I just rebuilt my engine so I hopefully do not need it .......Put an ad looking for 2 liter alfa head gasket on Road Race Autox classifieds and ‘I’ll PM you and it is yours.

By the way, it is about the easiest headgasket change you could imagine.

https://www.roadraceautox.com/forumdisplay.php?3-Classifieds

Kinja'd!!!

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 04:51

Seems like it blew way too easily as you’d barely done anything ...was it a gasket that had been in there a long time?

pip bip - choose Corrour > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 06:03

oops.

new head gasket, head bolts, thermostat, hoses and a few odds and ends then job done.

what could possibly go wrong?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RacinBob
05/15/2020 at 09:43

Haha thanks for the offer. I’ll probably just buy a kit at this point, but I haven’t even started looking. The Alfa people were saying they’d done one in 1.5 hrs, but that was on a carbureted car not injected. I’m not too worried... I just don’t really want to do it. Probably going to put it off for a couple months minimum so I can focus on the Jag and the Saab.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 11:32

Oh damn... Glad you got out there, and back out there. Hope this doesn’t keep you from going back!

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 11:33

I agree you really need the whole kit. There are little O rings for the oil gallaries and you should change them if you have the chance. BTW, my easy change was an a carburated 1750. I suppose its a bit more to do the FI ones. While it is apart, toss in a set of Euro cams, they really wake the motor up.....

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RacinBob
05/15/2020 at 11:36

Maaaaaaaybe on the cams. I pretty much do what the local Alfa experts tell me to. I know he wants me to go to HD valve springs for sure.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
05/15/2020 at 11:36

Nah... I’ll be back. Shit happens.

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 12:19

I can’t speak for your later FI engine but for the spica engine they make a big difference. Basically the 1750 cams are the cams the europe 2 liter came with. I believe that they changed the HP from 115 to 135. Its the best 230 you can spend.......

https://centerlinealfa.com/catalog/performance-cam-111mm

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RacinBob
05/15/2020 at 12:25

Nice! Looks like Classic Alfa has something similar (I try not to buy from Centerline) but you have to buy both... Still....

https://classicalfa.com/en076-colombo-bariani-10-9mm-camshafts-pair/

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 12:56

My engine was built by somebody else but t his is what I believe my car has. I think the story is that they all use the same exhaust but the Euro intake cam is better. The plus here is that this should be a direct bolt in without having to change followers or clearances. This gives 230 duration

https://classicalfa.com/en528-105-48-camshaft-1750-2000-standard/

The 11mm cams are a bit hotter, but it appears that you have to start. This is a 11 mm 280 cam , Spruel looks to require new followers because of the 11mm lift and higher base circle.

http://www.spruellmotorsport.com/camshaft-streettrack-110mm-lift-high-performance-p-2253.html

ps here is a deal on a gasket set. I bought a bunch of parts from this guy .. https://www.vickauto.com/ALFA-ROMEO-PARTS/Alfa-Romeo-Spider-Parts/Gaskets/Full-Gasket-Set-Alfa-4-Cyl-1971-94-SKU-40-4804

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RacinBob
05/15/2020 at 13:13

Good info, thanks! I’m not going to do a full build sheet until the dust settles a bit and I get a chance to talk to my Alfa guys some more.

Yeah Vicks is my go to after Classic. Centerline is only if I have no other good options. (I got my headers from Centerline, for example)

RacinBob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
05/15/2020 at 13:41

Here’s what I believe the specs are. The US engines are 110 hp

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Here is what I believe the cars with the euro cams were doing.

Kinja'd!!!

stuckMTB > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/30/2020 at 16:38

Late comment here, but just catching up on this after your other post about all the work you’ve got to do with your fleet.

That definitely sucks about your alfa, but on the plus side, it sounds like your C30 got some nice exercise! Probably just need some nice DOT 4 brake fluid in there and your afternoon would have been uneventful.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > stuckMTB
06/30/2020 at 16:58

Hey just glad someone got to enjoy the scope of my madness. The Volvo had DOT4 but I think it is getting close to needing replacement. Not ideal for the track. Luckily I only missed 1 lap so... at least it picked its moment and I figured out what was happening before I smoked the clutch .

stuckMTB > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/30/2020 at 17:08

Ah yeah, DOT 4 likes water quite a bit, or so I hear. All the groups I run with recommend changing it out at least yearly, if not more often. Glad your fluid-boiling moment ended safely! Makes me wish more cars had that, um, ... feature.