It has been more than two years since I published anything here: VivaLaVida was at a standstill awaiting a solution to a mechanical issue hampering the hot start. It was only at the end of last year that I was able to organize myself to carry out this work.
 
 
1. Installation in the garage of my good friend Benji.
 

 
 
The problem arises from the high pressure hydraulic circuit that controls fuel injection. An o-ring seal deteriorates with vibration. This is a weakness of this engine as almost all present this problem between 200 and 300,000 miles. However, to replace it, the engine must be removed and that needs 40 hours according to the technical documentation.
 
 
2. Start of disassembly: you have to dismantle the entire front…
 

 
 
3. …because the engine is “buried” under the dashboard.
 

 
 
4. After 4 days of work, I can finally lift the engine with the crane.
 

 
 
5. And here is the guilty part.
 

 
 
6. I take advantage of the engine being out to install reinforced cylinder head studs, removing another potential engine weakness.
 

 
 
7. Reassembly of cylinder heads and timing.
 

 
 
8. After 6 days of work, the engine is ready to return to the vehicle.
 

 
 
9. You need a shoehorn to get it back in!
 

 
 
10. After 3 more days of work, it’s almost over.
 

 
 
These two weeks were followed, a few months later, by a frame treatment to stop the rust which was starting to redden the underside of VLV. Thus, it’s in great shape that VivaLaVida took to the road again last July to discover some places of the Italian Alps and the Spanish Pyrenees.
 
I will tell about that very soon. 😉