by Hans Efde » Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:38 pm
My A-series engine is completely reliable between failures. And what goes wrong is my mistake:
- oil hose running loose due to a loose clip, could have been prevented if the oil thermostat had been fastened with a bracket (now it's hanging loose, pulling on the hose),
- water hose ruptured because it was old and gone spongy due to earlier oil leaks (previous owner), now replaced with a new one. I knew it was bad before the trip but hadn't the time anymore to find a new one.
The only reasons for having a Toyota (Yaris) engine would be: more refined running, 5-speed gearbox, less wear and maintenance, more usable power.
It is worth mentioning that Ed's coupe with a standard 1300 engine with twin carbs and airbox pulled easily away from me. My turbo needed a few seconds to spin up and then my car catapulted towards him and I had to release the throttle again. Completely useless (but fun). Less fun was the huge fuel consumption. Ed did on the return trip 1:19 km/l (have no idea how that converts to imp sizes). My car did between 1:10 and 1:12, almost double his fuel consumption!
I think that 2CV with Ferrari engine uses less fuel than my car. (and no, as far as I know my tank doesn't leak).