Looks like trouble

[Horace16320]

Hi all
The car has been sitting for three years! Don’t ask- it was running ok but a wee bit of mayo in the oil cap, tried to start it and realised there was no fuel getting through so did the usual checks and ended up taking the fuel pump off.
What ran out from the engine was not what I was expecting…..
So I’m guessing water is getting into the engine and not sure what my next move should be ‍
Pita as I was planning getting the CT and finally getting it registered on this trip.
Thanks in advance for any advice
Oh, and I saw multiple R4’s in a ralley style driving towards Bordeaux the other Friday! Beautiful

 

[André4Renaults]

First thing must be to drain the muck out of the engine, so undo the sump plug & allow the contents to pour out. Once you've done that, you need to use some flushing oil to clear out the oil ways as much as possible, but this means having the engine running, so you need to put the fuel pump back on the engine, add the flushing oil to the correct level in the sump, top up the coolant and then start the engine. Allow it to tick-over, NO FASTER, and run up to operating temperature. If there's no temperature gauge judge this by the radiator hoses becoming too hot to grab; usually about 15 minutes should do it. Drain the sump again & take a look at it. See if the coolant's dropped as well. Based on the level of the coolant and the state of what drops from the sump you'll be able to judge if the head gasket's gone west. looking at your pictures may well have done so.....

 

[Horace16320]

Thanks, when you say flushing oil do I get any particular type? and should I flush the radiator beforehand as it looks mucky as well.
I’m thinking it’s the head gasket too which is rather annoying as it means either taking the top end off or towing it somewhere to get the head skimmed

 

[André4Renaults]

If you're capable of removing the head yourself then do so, take the head to an engineering company, thus alleviating the need to tow the car to them. Once done, replace the head gasket and engine head. I'd suggest draining the sump (as I mentioned before) anyway, since that sludge isn't doing the block any good. The radiator will need flushing, too. One (unorthodox) method I've used is to add washing liquid (as you would use in a washing machine-NOT washing up liquid!) to water and add this mixture to the radiator. Disconnect the radiator top hose and keep flushing until the water runs clear from the top hose.
Of course, the head gasket should be replaced first, as otherwise your cleaning and flushing efforts won't be totally successful.
I can recommend a company to carry out the head repair, but they're in Hertfordshire, some distance from Fife!

 

[Horace16320]

Thanks, I’m draining the oil today and will buy some new oil tomorrow , can you still get 20/40? I think that’s what I need..

 

[André4Renaults]

As you're going to drain that oil anyway (the engine block will need flushing) I shouldn't buy anything too expensive at this stage. Flushing oil acts like the mechanical equivalent of ExLax, and "clears the tubes"of all the detritus within the oil ways but it's very thin, which is why you shouldn't rev the engine too hard with this oil inside it. To get the full advantage of it you need to have the engine running and warm, so investigate the state of the head sooner rather than later.

 

[Horace16320]

So, never flushed an engine before, am I right in thinking cheapo oil and liquid moly or similar run til warm add moly and empty?

 

[André4Renaults]

Basically, yes, although I've always used flushing oil. Most decent motor factors will sell this. Run at tick-over until warm, wait 15 minutes, switch off & drain immediately. Expect to see a lot of crud.......

 

[Horace16320]

Well rhen, I fushed out the rad etc, don’t know how many gallons of cruddy water came out and it’s still not perfect but it’ll do for the mo.
New oui filter and filled with oil but… bi fuel getting through.
I’ve checked the line back to the tank by blowing and definitely getting through, taken off the fuel pump (Sofabex) and tried pumping it by hand but no fuel getting through, there is very little movement on the lever is this right? I can blow petrol though if I prime it first. Also can’t find the rod that pushes it when attached…
Thanks in advance

 

[André4Renaults]

Clearing out the engine and oil ways won't have done any harm, although you'll probably have to flush it again at some point. As to the petrol pump no longer working, there should be a short rod inside the block, which is activated by the camshaft; the rod moves in & out, thereby activating the pump. The size of the gasket between the block & pump is critical, as too big a one and the pump won't operate and too small & the pump mechanism's forced & may break. If the car's otherwise set up properly try starting it by using some Eazystart or by pouring a little petrol into the carburettor. This will allow you to confirm the engine runs properly, and isolates the problem as a fuel supply one.

 

[Horace16320]

Thanks, it was running fine three years ago and it almost starts with eazystart or fuel directly into the carb, still can’t find that rod though which is odd.
I shall have another search today