Post by Nelson on Feb 28, 2019 22:30:14 GMT
Some non-breakdown a few weeks ago when I heard a new ticking sound on start-up, it didn't sound right.
Checked all the fluid levels, all spot on, relatively new oil, couldn't see anything loose or amiss under the engine but take the engine above 3500rpm and the noise would become more apparent. I feared internal engine damage. I don't thrash the engine from cold, I don't thrash it when warm, I might use a few revs just to get the crud out the back as you do with a diesel but it's always serviced and maintained to a high standard
to add to my woes the rear end went all floppy (technical term). The back felt like it was stepping out which felt unusual for a FWD car and if anything it felt dangerous to drive, it just didn't handle well, it was knocking at the rear. Not good
So I took the opportunity to book the car in with a new mechanic in Rugby who gets very good reviews and isn't that expensive...
he had the car up on the ramps and instantly diagnosed that the bushes on the rear subframe where shot. All the rear suspension was good, no play in the anti-roll bars, as for the engine noise he'd investigate
we spoke at length and I agreed to have 4 new Powerflex polyurethane bushes fitted to the rear subframe, I had heard good things about these type after my friend fitted some to his Alfa Brera. £90 for 4 and an hours labour.
Well, I received a phone call mid afternoon to say he had diagnosed the engine noise and was fixing the problem as he spoke. Turns out the crankshaft pulley was damaged and part of its innards (a strip of metal) was hanging out and as the pulley span it was hitting the block and other components. I don't know what damage could have been caused if the whole pulley had gone bang and the belt had come off
Anyway, new bushes fitted, new crankshaft pulley fitted and a 4-wheel alignment/tracking done (one wheel was 1.5 degrees out) and it's transformed the car.
The engine is soooooo much smoother, on start-up, on tick-over, during drive. Engine tone has changed, it's quieter and is far more refined. I'm amazed. As for the rear bushes that has made such an instant impact, the handling, the ride, the steering is tighter, it no longer feels loose at the back. Think £46.80 for 4-wheel alignment which took them just over 10 minutes was a bit cheeky but it's back to its best now
Pics: damaged crankshaft pulley with exposed metal part that had flung itself out of the casing and the state of the rear bushes that were removed
Checked all the fluid levels, all spot on, relatively new oil, couldn't see anything loose or amiss under the engine but take the engine above 3500rpm and the noise would become more apparent. I feared internal engine damage. I don't thrash the engine from cold, I don't thrash it when warm, I might use a few revs just to get the crud out the back as you do with a diesel but it's always serviced and maintained to a high standard
to add to my woes the rear end went all floppy (technical term). The back felt like it was stepping out which felt unusual for a FWD car and if anything it felt dangerous to drive, it just didn't handle well, it was knocking at the rear. Not good
So I took the opportunity to book the car in with a new mechanic in Rugby who gets very good reviews and isn't that expensive...
he had the car up on the ramps and instantly diagnosed that the bushes on the rear subframe where shot. All the rear suspension was good, no play in the anti-roll bars, as for the engine noise he'd investigate
we spoke at length and I agreed to have 4 new Powerflex polyurethane bushes fitted to the rear subframe, I had heard good things about these type after my friend fitted some to his Alfa Brera. £90 for 4 and an hours labour.
Well, I received a phone call mid afternoon to say he had diagnosed the engine noise and was fixing the problem as he spoke. Turns out the crankshaft pulley was damaged and part of its innards (a strip of metal) was hanging out and as the pulley span it was hitting the block and other components. I don't know what damage could have been caused if the whole pulley had gone bang and the belt had come off
Anyway, new bushes fitted, new crankshaft pulley fitted and a 4-wheel alignment/tracking done (one wheel was 1.5 degrees out) and it's transformed the car.
The engine is soooooo much smoother, on start-up, on tick-over, during drive. Engine tone has changed, it's quieter and is far more refined. I'm amazed. As for the rear bushes that has made such an instant impact, the handling, the ride, the steering is tighter, it no longer feels loose at the back. Think £46.80 for 4-wheel alignment which took them just over 10 minutes was a bit cheeky but it's back to its best now
Pics: damaged crankshaft pulley with exposed metal part that had flung itself out of the casing and the state of the rear bushes that were removed
