C4 1990 ZR1 - Engine problem HELP !!! Only 1300 miles from new

Hi I hope someone can help me.
Purchased only this Feb 2021 with only 1100 miles from New, have done two trips out and now have an engine problem.
Please can someone point me in the right direction of a safe pair of hands who I could take my C4 ZR1 too.
I have access to a car trailer so I am prepared to travel anywhere in the UK to find the Company / Person with the right knowledge to diagnose and work on the 4 cam 32 valve engine.
Many Thanks
Greg

What kind of issue is it suffering from? It might help steer the recommendations a little.

I have a metallic tapping noise and have been advised not to run it, and also shudders as not firing on one of the cylinders ?? It has been mentioned that the chain tensioner could be slack causing the problem ?? I have no mechanical experience so require an honest mechanic who has knowledge and experience working on the 4 cam 32 valve engine, apparently I can get parts through Eurovettes if needed ?

One long term ZR1 owner/user was on this forum regularly (Brett Grant) - haven't seen him on here for ages - perhaps on FB. He would know best people to speak with. I believe he had 'frustrations' with UK specialists and ended-up shipping the engine to a ZR1 specialist in the USA. Do you have no recourse with the seller?

grg.C65 said:

apparently I can get parts through Eurovettes if needed ?

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Speak to Keith at Eurovettes. He has had a ZR1.

Also speak to Williams Brothers Racing , Bugbrooke , Northamptonshire if you are anywhere near the Midlands . I can highly recommend them , they are real engine build experts and specialise in Chevy engines , small block , big block , old and new models . Their very reasonably priced too for such a specialized field , drag racing etc .

Roscobbc said:

One long term ZR1 owner/user was on this forum regularly (Brett Grant) - haven't seen him on here for ages - perhaps on FB

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Or maybe contactable thru Pistonheads?

grg.C65 said:

Hi I hope someone can help me.

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Greg, In which part of the country are you based/located?

Roscobbc said:

One long term ZR1 owner/user was on this forum regularly (Brett Grant) - haven't seen him on here for ages - perhaps on FB. He would know best people to speak with. I believe he had 'frustrations' with UK specialists and ended-up shipping the engine to a ZR1 specialist in the USA. Do you have no recourse with the seller

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Chevrolet said:

Greg, In which part of the country are you based/located?

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Firstly Many thanks for your reply’s. I would get no recourse from the Dealer as it was difficult enough just to purchase the car in the first place !!! The car Is a time capsule car with every piece of documentation you could wish for, Jet Black with Full Red leather, just stunning.
I live 30 minutes North of Newcastle but have access to a car trailer and prepared to travel anywhere in the UK for a safe pair of honest hands who can help me.

Chuffer said:

Also speak to Williams Brothers Racing , Bugbrooke , Northamptonshire if you are anywhere near the Midlands . I can highly recommend them , they are real engine build experts and specialise in Chevy engines , small block , big block , old and new models . Their very reasonably priced too for such a specialized field , drag racing etc .

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Many Thanks for your help, I will call them tomorrow to see if they can help as I’m prepared to travel anywhere in UK to find a safe pair of hands.

Hope you get it sorted as the unique Lotus designed engine needs someone that knows their stuff . I am wondering if the problems are lack of use related . A 31 year old car with only 1100 miles on it when you bought it really needed recommissioning before putting any more miles on it . Apart from the engine needing all its fluids changing and turned over without firing up to get oil around it , the brakes and seals and suspension bushes will no doubt need replacing as they will have hardened with age . What about the tyres too ? Are they original ? If so the rubber will be as hard as nails and probably cracking on the side walls . Almost certainly flat spotted too from all that standing about for 31 years . I wouldn`t drive it anywhere until that is all addressed . It would be worth having a discussion with the dealer as you do have statutory rights under the Goods & Services Act despite the age of the car . The dealer will know his obligations under law but will keep schtum unless challenged . After all it wasn`t a cheep buy I bet ???
Speak to Consumer Protection and they will advise and if they consider you have a strong case they will issue you a case number and monitor your progress for a claim . I know , been there , done that , got the T shirt with my C3 .

Simon Stevens, also a club member is a long term owner of a C4 ZR1 - hopefully he'll pick up on this thread and suggest a specialist. Personally I'd be very, very wary about letting anyone loose on this...........

TOP CATS are good on Engines, but let us see what comes back from Simon - There is also the Ex Bauer Millet Guys up in Stockport if they are still there and if had/have ZR1 experience

Having briefly flicked through some LT5 history last night, it seams these engines like to eat spark plugs, and as I spoke to grg.c65 on Sunday he mentioned left rocker box top rattle and misfire ? ps it's a beauty.

I have sent emails to Kerenza and Brett Grant plus Simon Stevens asking if they could come on the forum and suggest a specialist for you - I'm sure there are at least couple of other owners who may have suggestions re. a specialist for ZR1's. Perhaps someone else knows another owner?

Daytona Vette said:

There is also the Ex Bauer Millet Guys up in Stockport if they are still there and if had/have ZR1 experience

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Good point Daytona/Barry. I'd definitely speak with Keith, and the ex BM guys at Parts USA. Neil was the guy I spoke to last there (very helpful) :
Parts USA - Authorised Parts, Service & Repair for your American Vehicle

Roscobbc said:

I have sent emails to Kerenza and Brett Grant plus Simon Stevens asking if they could come on the forum and suggest a specialist for you - I'm sure there are at least couple of other owners who may have suggestions re. a specialist for ZR1's. Perhaps someone else knows another owner?

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Many thanks for all your help, it’s very very much appreciated, I managed to get in touch with Duster who has 2 ZR1‘s he has done all his own engine work In the past. He has shown me how to bring up error codes and I only got one H74 so a historic code and not current I believe? Awaiting to hear back from him, will also get in touch with Keith at eurovettes and Parts USA

I’m now getting somewhere after talking to Duster, due to such low mileage/ age the fuel lines/ Injectors can be effected by the ethanol in the fuel, ( gummy ) and when not working correctly causes the Dual mass fly wheel to rattle like hell on tick over, and apparently the ethanol is increasing in fuel to 10% this Aug/sept. Duster uses a Fuel additive to combat this. Next step is to get the injectors off the car and tested for spray pattern and the coils tested

For future reference Esso Supreme Super Unleaded is Ethanol free in 90% of the UK. Ignore pumps stating otherwise - just go on Esso's web site for further info.

Sorry I’m a bit late to the party here but not much I can add that hasn’t already been mentioned. Other good sources of information are the various ZR-1 Facebook groups and the forum over at www.zr1netregistry.com/
You can also email Mark Haibeck via his website www.zr1specialist.com/

Hope it’s an easy fix and you get it sorted.
Simon