Grinding sound as ease back off throttle

[DrColin]

Hi,

I picked up my first Lotus - a 111R - two weeks ago and am delighted with it. In the first weekend did 400 miles in Wales and gently putting more miles on it since. Living up to expectations and it's not even run in yet....

Unfortunately it has already been back to the dealer! The problem is a grinding sound as I ease back on the throttle. It is most prevalent when easing back in 5th at 60 - 70. The grinding isn't smooth so it sounds a little jumpy. It is definetly coming from the engine bay. It's just the right tone to be very irritating and ruin the sound of that engine. Anyway, the service guys at the dealer proudly told me it was sorted - something to do with the heat shield rubbing against the engine. Sadly today the grinding is still there.

Anyone else had this? Any ideas?

Thanks

[S Works]

On the K Series cars you can clearly hear the sound of the gearbox mechanicals when you lift off the throttle, perhaps its just that which you can hear. TADTS etc.

[gooby]

I seem to have had most of the possible faults but not this one. Take it back and ask them to get it right. The time I would start to worry is if I could "feel" the rough noise as well as hear it. I would suggest that it probably is some sort of cover or heat shield, there are loads of them!

[bher]

Difficult to diagnose with the available info.
On my R I had a metallic vibration around 2200 rpm mainly when lifting the throttle. Finally, it was the heat shield on the right side rubbing against the exhaust, the rivet was already laminated at the end of the running in. They pull the heat shield away for a few inches and was Ok.
I hope it will be the same for you
Ben

[DrColin]

Thanks all.

Not much more to add. Sounds like two steel discs making contact and grinding each other down.

The dealership (which has been great) have arranged for a technician visiting from Lotus to take a look / have a listen on Tuesday - so an update to come....

[beachbum]

Gooby, any chance you and I could meet up sometime soon. Would like to hear your engine at startup whilst still cold.
Noises are starting to eminate from mine that just aint right and was hoping to find out if it is just mine, or all of them do it.

Let me know.

[gooby]

beachbum said:

Gooby, any chance you and I could meet up sometime soon. Would like to hear your engine at startup whilst still cold. Noises are starting to eminate from mine that just aint right and was hoping to find out if it is just mine, or all of them do it. Let me know.

For you mate anytime - apart from tomorow, Have to nip to Londinium!

This may sound like I am teaching my grandma to suck eggs but have you checked the oil

[beachbum]

gooby said:

beachbum said: Gooby, any chance you and I could meet up sometime soon. Would like to hear your engine at startup whilst still cold. Noises are starting to eminate from mine that just aint right and was hoping to find out if it is just mine, or all of them do it. Let me know. For you mate anytime - apart from tomorow, Have to nip to Londinium! This may sound like I am teaching my grandma to suck eggs but have you checked the oil

Funnily enough, yes. Was checked when I filled up last and again today. Thankfully all is well in that department

[Towzer]

If we're talking about the same thing, my 111R does it as well... very metalic sound, kind of like spinning a metal disk on a metal rod? I was told that it's the gear cogs spinning as you back off. I don't know much about these things but the dealer seemed to indicate that it's supposed to do that. Suppose I should try another 111R to be certain.

Phil

[DrColin]

That's not far off how my car sounds. But I am sure it is not normal. Firstly it's sufficiently obvious everyone would be pointing this out to us. And secondly it hasn't been on any of the S's I have driven or the R I test drove quite a bit.

[Towzer]

Oh... forgot to let you know how I fixed it. Had a Larini fitted last Friday and suddenly the noise goes away (only because the new zorst is loud)!!!

Phil

[DrColin]

Hi,

My dealer had the car in December, several people went out in it(including a Lotus field engineer) and the grinding did not make an appearance. However, it's still there, prety much all the time for me, and now it's starting to get under my skin. On any A-road cruising it's in the background..... winding me up.

To ensure I am not losing my mind (always possible) I have recorded it - here it is http://media.putfile.com/MVI_0032AVI

It's not that obvious though - the only road I could safely do this on is noisy..... Grinding most prominent about 4sec in after I have brushed the microphone (on my digital camera) with the carry strap. Then again at 6sec, 13 - 15sec and 18 sec.

Any ideas?

Colin

[[k]ar|]

Try wibbling the stick, or holding it over to one side whilst the noise is audible. If the sound changes or temporarily goes away, then it's the same thing my car went back to the dealer for 3 times, and had the field engineer out for twice - the gearshift selector cables. Can't do much about it, but apparently it's present on all cars, although on some it's more audible than others. I initially found it particularly intrusive when at high revs in low gears, on balanced throttle; now I tend not to notice it at all, having been reassured that I'm not about to go up in a cloud of gear oil smoke. Then again, I do have the stage one 'zorst to help drown things out.

I heard this noise not only in my car (in fact within about 1/2 mile of initially driving off the forecourt) and also the dealer's demo cars, which the field engineer and I went out in for comparison purposes.

[k]

[Towzer]

Colin - I can't really hear anything wrong from the sound file, what I can hear sounds just like my 111R at the timings indicated.

A mate of mine has a 111R as well, I'll get him to take me out in his and I'll let you know if there is anything different in a brand new 111R.

Do you have a standard car or have you changed the exhaust at all?

Alternatively, depending on where you live, I'll happily meet up with you and compare our two cars. I'm close to Bracknell.

Phil

[GTRene]

check if the sounds go faster when you drive faster that way sounds can also come from tires(or someting thats in a tire like a piece of glas or metal)the faster you drive the shorter the moments you hear it between it.
Or the driveshafts? can also make noise also when driving faster the time between the sounds go faster..
or it could be engine/gearbox sounds coming through your gearstick? you can hold your hand on it and/or turn it a bit and hear if that helps that the sound is getting away a bit...
check it out(also a excuse for a blast)
:driving;
GTRene

[DrColin]

Thanks.

[k]arl - I have wibbled the stick around and did not find any difference to the sound. I will try again, with more intent, next time I am out in it (at the weekend). But I suspect it is OK and that moves suspicion away from the gearshift selector.

Phil - sorry you struggled to hear it. All I can say is it's there and annoying if you sit on an A road for long.... It started in my (brand new) 111R on day 1. But I think I must have been about 100 miles in before it made an appearance. Would be interested to learn if you can hear something in your mate's 111R. Oh yes - my car is standard (for now).

The chap at my dealership has heard the sound. Of course it wasn't keen on really playing up with him in the car! Anyway, he thinks he has heard it on their 111R demo so I am going to try that out with him. But I would be amazed if it is like my grinding as I think there would be a lot more people up in arms about it.

GTRene - I am pretty sure it is not connected to the tyres. The sound is most prevalent when easing off the throttle. It lasts a couple of seconds and then goes as the engine runs off further. Recently it has started making an appearance just before easing off the throttle.

At worst it will be time for exhaust and induction kit - but I would really like to get rid of this grinding first. A windup in an otherwise great car.....


>> Edited by DrColin on Tuesday 3rd January 13:34

[twinpipe]

I think it's just transmission noise mate my exige does it and has done for 18,000 miles, as does goobys 111R... even if he doesn't realise it!
Try drowning it out with the over-run from a silly exhaust.

[GTRene]

DrColin said:

Thanks. GTRene - I am pretty sure it is not connected to the tyres. The sound is most prevalent when easing off the throttle. It lasts a couple of seconds and then goes as the engine runs off further. Recently it has started making an appearance just before easing off the throttle.

Ow, sorry, so only when easing of the throttle...so the moment when the car "brakes" on the engine?! and its almost a new car...hm...try if you can hear if the sound comes out the engine...or gearbox.
When it was a old car or one thats bin heavy used! the pistons can wear out and also make's a terrible sound you can try that when driving say 1500rpm in 4 and then floor the pedal when it makes a hammering sound not that oké, and then you also can get such sounds when back of the throttle...but I think in your car not the case...
good luck finding...can't hear it here in Holland...else maybe I could help you further.
GTRene

[gooby]

twinpipe said:

I think it's just transmission noise mate my exige does it and has done for 18,000 miles, as does goobys 111R... even if he doesn't realise it! Try drowning it out with the over-run from a silly exhaust.

If it is, do what lotus will do and put in a "thicker" gearbox oil.

[boggy]

Hi all,

My old car seemed to have load's of strange noises coming from the engine bay, like others have already mentioned here took back to the dealer's and had various people having a go (including the Lotus Field engineer) to find out what the issue was never really got to the bottom of it to be truthful, ended up changing the Car a couple of month's ago and now I can't hear anything Mind you I do have a Quicksilver Pipe and Pipercross Induction

Boggy