Ian Vincent Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Bummer! My son and I were on our way to Le Mans having just disembarked from the ferry at Caen when a rocker arm snapped. Currently waiting at the recovery garage for the technician to confirm my diagnosis back to the insurance company. Anyone got a spare rocker for #3 exhaust valve? Even more annoying is the fact that I replaced them all less than 500 miles ago because the previous ones were also faulty - no case hardening on the wearing surfaces. Both sets were supplied by Moss who provided the replacements FOC without any quibbling. I suspect that all of them come from the same source no matter who actually supplies them so there probably isn't much point in looking for an alternative, it's just one of the joys of classic car motoring! Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted July 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Silly question, what would happen if I removed the push rods to both valves on #3 cylinder and drove on 3 cylinders? Would it knacker the engine? Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) Hi Ian, not sure of ultimate outcome but if you go that way remove the spark plug as well Keep revs as low as you can MPG will drop. I've got a few arms but how to get to you. Roger Edited July 8, 2016 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) Ian Get recovered to Le Mans. give us time to ship rocker for you to fit for return, Moss should help with that! John. Edited July 8, 2016 by john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted July 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Spoken to Moss already, the earliest they could deliver to France would be Monday. The garage in Caen say there is a possibility that one will be available locally but need to wait until 2pm to find out. I'm not optimistic. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Once fixed, please make full PQI (Parts Quality Initiative) Reports on the earlier and the current failure. Best of luck, Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Hi Ian, not sure of ultimate outcome but if you go that way remove the spark plug as well Keep revs as low as you can MPG will drop. I've got a few arms but how to get to you. Roger Is it wise to be spraying fuel all over a hot engine bay? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Motorsport Mickey Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 (edited) No joy in contacting our local mates in TR France etc to source a locally available used item ?Mick Richards Edited July 8, 2016 by Motorsport Mickey Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Hi Brian, both valves would be closed - no fuel Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Is it wise to be spraying fuel all over a hot engine bay? It won't do that as the valves won't be opening. I'd remove pushrods and sparkplug, and take it carefully too. Nice slow drive through the French countryside, even if the toll roads are reasonably quick and direct. My suggestion would be to try to find someone on a boat to Caen today/tomorrow morning who can bring over a rocker arm, either from Moss or Roger. Collect it at Lemans, or Caen if you're still there. Bit late now but there's a boat this afternoon, and another overnight boat tonight. Anyone know someone travelling later? Moss have a branch in Paris, but as far as I am aware, there are no/minimal parts held there. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 This gives a new meaning to what spares to carry. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 This gives a new meaning to what spares to carry. Roger The continental touring kit included valves and springs but no rocker arms. They are not supposed to be made of pot metal. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Have seen this done but not a recommendation from me. Remove both push rods and drive on. It was Mick Watson in a 3 returning from a euro meet. Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted July 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 To update on this topic. We are now at Le Mans having picked up a hire car in Caen courtesy of DAS Roadside assistance, (but boy were they incompetent). I have ordered a replacement rocker from Moss to be sent UPS Air (to arrive in Caen Monday). I guess I will have to come back to Caen to collect the car once it is fixed. Many thanks for any advice / offers but I went with option that got me to Le Mans to enjoy the event. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D Posted July 8, 2016 Report Share Posted July 8, 2016 Ian, I think you have made the right choice with the hire car At least you will now get to see the 24hrs race and forget about the TRoubles for a couple of days. You still have to get her back to Blighty, but it WILL happen. In 6 months you will see it all as “Fun“ trip. I’ve had many continental disasters in my TR. But that is always part of the “Adventure” of continental driving in an old car. 30 years ago I drove from Coventry to Rome in a VW camper van with a hole in a piston. Bit of a worry at the time, but I did it and all added to the rich tapestry of life. (And something to bore your grand-kids with when you tell them the tale.) Best of luck with the trip home. Charlie D. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Moss Paris could do quicker and is open on Saturday mornings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PhilipB Posted July 12, 2016 Report Share Posted July 12, 2016 Ian, it looks as if you may be sorted now, but this may have been useful to you. This is a link to a list of garages and suppliers throughout Europe (including the UK) that can provide TR breakdown assistance, be it parts or services. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/4387919/download-the-pdf-of-the-guide-tr-register/5 It was a TR Register publication called the "European Breakdown Directory" that was produced some time ago (2005) and which you used to be able to download from the (old) website. I note that there is a "Foreward to the First Edition" Can I make a plea to the Register to, at the very least, put the download link back on the new website, even if does come with a warning that some of the information may be out of date. This will take very little effort and could be a useful resource to any TRR member from any country, touring Europe. And then update the directory and publish the Second Edition. Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted July 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Many thks again for the various posts and advice, the car is now fixed and awaiting my collection from Caen. I am planning to do that on Monday next week. I have a few issues with the DAS recovery service that is part of my TR Register insurance package but I will take those up separately in a letter. I have also taken photos of the offending part and will write to Moss and copy the letter to the PQI team. In view of the fact that this is the second issue I have had with rockers, if anyone knows a source of better quality (and inevitably more expensive items), please let me know. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted July 13, 2016 Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Many thks again for the various posts and advice, the car is now fixed and awaiting my collection from Caen. I am planning to do that on Monday next week. I have a few issues with the DAS recovery service that is part of my TR Register insurance package but I will take those up separately in a letter. I have also taken photos of the offending part and will write to Moss and copy the letter to the PQI team. In view of the fact that this is the second issue I have had with rockers, if anyone knows a source of better quality (and inevitably more expensive items), please let me know. Rgds Ian Hi Ian, As others of us have TR Register insurance, perhaps you could enlighten us on the DAS problems? Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted July 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2016 Hi Monty, I want to take my insurance issues up with the providers first before I consider going public. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mikeyb Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 not knowing what your specific problems are, but if do a search on the Club Triumph forum (and possibly others), it would seem that issues with DAS are not uncommon..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 Take the push rod and the plug out and keep the revs down. It will run a bit rough but you should get home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james christie Posted July 14, 2016 Report Share Posted July 14, 2016 As everybody seems to break down in France - hence I suppose the vote to Brexit. - I am in Southern Brittany and can give anybody a helping hand that needs it. Tel +33 607623659 James Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris59 Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 If only I had seen Roger PM before, I could have bring you a complete spare rocker shaft on my way to CLM, the 8th But, as explained to Roger, I don't come here often since Badfrog is not with us anymore.... Some guys here (Alec Pringle, but he is not the only one) has my cell phone number, and Allan Jezzard know how I can help when I can. One point : why I don't have an email to tell me that I have a new Pm on this forum, as on others ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted July 15, 2016 Report Share Posted July 15, 2016 If only I had seen Roger PM before, I could have bring you a complete spare rocker shaft on my way to CLM, the 8th But, as explained to Roger, I don't come here often since Badfrog is not with us anymore.... Some guys here (Alec Pringle, but he is not the only one) has my cell phone number, and Allan Jezzard know how I can help when I can. One point : why I don't have an email to tell me that I have a new Pm on this forum, as on others ? Chris, see what you have configured in My Settings... Notification Options... There is an option to be notified when you have new PM. My Settings is under the profile drop down in the top right hand corner of the main forum page. I imagine that anywhere that you break down in Europe or the USA there are half a dozen people within a 100 mile radius who have just what you need. The challenge is finding them. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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