Well,

Suspecting my Bentley having major issues reported inside VAG relating to vacuum leaks. We already know Bentley's are using cheap plastic tubing, which deteriorates over time.

I decided going to Ebay and purchase one of these cheap smoke testers (costed me $80):




If you want to do a smoke test, first thing is to remove the air filter assemblies and plug the intakes. I used tennis *****, which works great:



Next step is to remove your wheel and wheel well cover on the driver side (American) to expose the brake pressure assembly:



See that check valve?. Disconnect the hose above it. This is where you inject your smoke tester. Next step is to power up your tester and see where smoke emerges. In my case, the results were disasterous, I had leaks everywhere:



Knowing this, I only have a couple of choices. Easy way out is to turn my car in to the Bentley dealer and spend $5K to pull the engine and repair to fix the vacuum leaks. OR convincing my wife purchasing a lift doing it myself for less than $2K:




Mind you all, this is a very common problem with our cars and there is no other way than pulling the engines to fix it, since all the vacuum connectors are resting on top of the transmission. I am going to Blog (fool) my experience pulling the engine and lessons learned.

 

Heh, I think installing the lift is harder than pulling the engine......

 

Why lift?

Older cars all you need is a cherry picker, but modern cars you lift the body over the engine....

 

Hi Zaos.

Brave man! I take it you are aware of the need for the table that the engine & box sit on to be lowered from the car.
P.S. It's a tight fit when replacing things.
Good luck.

Les.

 

....your set up is amazing...in my next life I want one...do you own a casino too?...
How do you account for the rotting of plastic vac lines...heat may be the enemy...they have plastic gas lines that are good for 20yrs in the ground...how long have you had the lift and how long to assemble...I actually have changed my tire using the jack in trunk...bet you haven't done that...I don't even have an electric outlet in our 100 car garage downstairs...
JimB

 

I am curious, are you able to hear the leak issue? I am slightly concerned, when I am in the car and after a drive I hear a very quite noise that sounds like compressor trying to build pressure.

It might be normal operation... Hoping it is. Thanks for the help

2007 GTC by the way. 28k miles.

 

Interesting...my car has that exact same noise, for the last few months. The noise starts up within minutes .... so I took it to Bentley, who guess what?....claimed their testers couldn't hear it and dropped the car back to me!!

The noise is still there, all my passengers can hear it, so I'm wondering what LOUD radio station the testers were listening to. My 85 year old mum can hear it when she is in the car.

I'm taking it back there next week and going to get them to sit in the car while I'm driving...very disappointed to say the least!!

2007 GT with 34K on the clock purchased used from Bentley UK and have 3 months dealer warranty left!

 

Great posts Dr. Zaos, thx!

 

Hello Zaos. I enjoyed following your attention to detail when removing the engine. Great pictures. Now that all is behind you how does the engine perform? Would you do it again, or spend the $5,000 to have the free time? Your pictures of the surrounding work area reflect a full automotive shop. I would imagine you spent many dollars on equipment. All in all in was a fantastic DIY experience and accomplishment. I really enjoyed following the removal
Thanks
Ron 2008 CGT Speed

 

....Hello Ron....Have you ever seen my 10Speed Blue/Black up at Point Reyes Station...tried to go uo a week ago but road through Stinson closed from winter storms...got lost in detour over hill...wound up in Mill Valley where we had a great day...
....As to your question to ZaOs...I'm surprised you asked...We enjoy working on our cars...whatever the level we are on...I wash my car every week because I enjoy doing it.......Changed my own Main (Left) battery (at age 85) just to find out I could still do it...
Any savings of money is incidental and added benefit...that's why we do it... JimB

 

Hello Jim. No I have not seen your speed. I will keep looking for you. We usually drive up the Coast from Bodega Bay North. Mine is a Dark Sapphire. The drive is great along the North Coast. I too do all my own vehicle maintenance. And yes I do build my own cars. My last build is a 1971 Black DeTomaso Pantera. I completely restored and modified it to race. However I drove it on the Auto Cross Track and felt I could not keep up with the speed and young blood drivers. I use to be fast but now I'm half fast. LOL. So now I show it at Concourses and Charity Car Shows. The engine is a modified 5.4l Modular 4 cam with a one off computer controlled Kinsler 8 stack Fuel Injection System pumping north of 600hp at 3000lbs on the dyno.

So happy motoring.
Ron

 

...Hi Ron...its called maturity...seen too many young bloods bite it...last one on hill run at Virginia City....We often stay at Los Laruels down in Carmel Valley...you down there with the Pantera Club...its hard for me to put together Pantera and Bentley...radically different animals...so now I see your question to ZaOs was rhetorical. Every project I ever attempted was a challenge and at some point wonder if worth the game, but as you know persevering and overcoming its own reward....JimB

 

Yes Jim, I have shown at Concourso Italiano winning first place for most Modified and Custom Class Pantera 2011. I have retired showing in Monterey. Too much of a hassle.
Ron

 

Our club PCNC " Pantera Club Northern California" and Pantera International has a large group of Panteras gathering for the event. We also stay at Los Laruels down in Carmel Valley. The Bentley group attends at Quail.
Ron