I found a 2001 D2, Alveston red about a week ago. The seller said it needs a new engine. Their “mechanic” threw new coil packs, plugs, and wires at it and came to the conclusion that it needs a new engine. It’s throwing a misfire code for cylinder 5. It appears to have spark. At idle it’s a little rough and when I drove it 100 yards from the house the cleared code comes back and starts flashing. Next step is a compression test. If that’s good, I’m thinking it’s an injector running wide open and dumping fuel. No coolant in the oil. I’ll keep updating as I go. I’ll probably relocate the coils while I’m at it.

 

Alveston is a great color. This is mine when I picked it up. I’ve changed A LOT since then, but it’s been overall a great machine.



On your engine if you can get it to run long enough, try the exhaust gas test and I bet that will tell you if the block is cracked or just needs head gaskets.

Be patient, have fun, and enjoy the ride.

 

If compression is below about 95 psi it will throw a missfire on the afflicted cylinder. I've had it happen from a failed head gasket allowing compression to escape. You could hear the pfffttt sound on that side of the engine (rare).

Had it again from a valve that wasn't seating properly due to carbon build up. Did a valve job and back at it.

 

Thankfully, this isn’t my first rodeo. I bought my first D1 16 years ago. I’ve bought several over the last 14 years on the cheap to fix and sell. My current white gold D2 “Broomhilda” was a daily for 10 years and was my work van the first year I opened my electric contracting company (6 yrs ago). This is the first since then due to availability (time). Child #3 is 14 and this one will be his. #1 has my original.

 

If you ever make it down to north beacon hill, hit me up, it's always great to meet another disco fanatic (and i also just started restoring one that sat for 10 yeras)

 

Soooo…… cylinder #5 has 0 compression and I have little metal chunks on top of the piston. My assumption is I have a broken valve/seat. The pic is from my endoscope. I am hoping the worst is having to replace the head. The boy is excited to dig into this. Luckily, we both see this as an adventure.

 

Did your boroscope come with a little mirror attachment? If yes, then you should be able to sort of look up and check the valves.

 

I wish it did. It would be nice to know but won’t matter. The head is definitely coming off at this point.

 

Seeing this as an adventure is the right attitude. Enjoy it and keep us posted.

 

I definitely will! I’ve lurked on here for years and have learned so much. The only time I’ve ever had someone else work on anything was because I physically couldn’t fit my arm in and didn’t want to drop the exhaust.
This project will be on hold for a little while. I don’t want to **** off the wife and start another project without finishing a few around the house.😂