Help - Strange noise and oil pressure drop - ideas?
Discussion
OK I know the online diagnosis game is best guesswork but I just went to take the cerb out, edging out engine revs up to 2K and heard a strange graunching noise - bit like a shot power steering pump - could also vaguely feel it through the gear stick. At same time oil pressure dropped from 80 to 60 then 55 even though revs were actually going up slightly. Back to stationary idle - Oil psi fine. Did this twice in a row.
Water was up to temp very quickly although a sustained rev to 3k showed 85psi and water temp back from 90 to 70 quickly. ventured out round the block - the water temp gauge was flicking about all over the shop which has never done. Slow drive max 25mph had a couple of strange 'knocks' and had the graunch again on pull away.
Car had new alternator and belts fitted by Leven last week (just in case it could be somehow electrical - who am I kidding) and bottom end rebuild at APM in March so is still under waranty.
Something is definitely amiss at the circle K - any ideas?
Water was up to temp very quickly although a sustained rev to 3k showed 85psi and water temp back from 90 to 70 quickly. ventured out round the block - the water temp gauge was flicking about all over the shop which has never done. Slow drive max 25mph had a couple of strange 'knocks' and had the graunch again on pull away.
Car had new alternator and belts fitted by Leven last week (just in case it could be somehow electrical - who am I kidding) and bottom end rebuild at APM in March so is still under waranty.
Something is definitely amiss at the circle K - any ideas?
Edited by smash on Thursday 18th September 19:12
It's an AJP 4.2 - the rebuild was because of a broken auxiliary shaft.
Update - just been out to the car and run it for a couple of mins - all vital signs A OK, oil pressure perfect and rising well with revs.
Seems the noise, whatever it was, and strange symptoms were associated with trying to pull away. It's back under cover and on it's accumate but definitely no bedtime story tonight!
Could it be related to the transmission in any way?
Update - just been out to the car and run it for a couple of mins - all vital signs A OK, oil pressure perfect and rising well with revs.
Seems the noise, whatever it was, and strange symptoms were associated with trying to pull away. It's back under cover and on it's accumate but definitely no bedtime story tonight!
Could it be related to the transmission in any way?
Edited by smash on Thursday 18th September 19:54
If the oil pressure dropped suddenly when turning and there was a groaning/graunchy sound from up front she/he is (very) low on oil. Take the dipstick out overnight and then check it cold in the morning for a true measurement. The water guage flickering about is a sign of an air lock in the system. A search will bring up many threads on the subject. 
Well, tomorrow is another day. Will check fluids and bleed water system and report back.
Forgot - took vid of start up idle as per my 2nd post where things look OK - but just in case anyone can spot anything!
http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3009634970104...
Should say the graunching wasn't loud and couldn't hear it outside the car - I was manouvering it out of the drive which involves a fair bit of full lock.
Leven had the thrmostat out recently and have bled the system - the car has never had flicky temp needle before with previous owner so it (or air introduction) has coincidied with this noise.
Edit number god knows what, lol!
Spoke to Dan at Taylor TVR - couple of suggestions to eliminate stuff so will go through and elminate! There's no fluid under the car but got to go to work so rest will have to wait. Ain't she beautiful though!
Forgot - took vid of start up idle as per my 2nd post where things look OK - but just in case anyone can spot anything!
http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3009634970104...
Should say the graunching wasn't loud and couldn't hear it outside the car - I was manouvering it out of the drive which involves a fair bit of full lock.
Leven had the thrmostat out recently and have bled the system - the car has never had flicky temp needle before with previous owner so it (or air introduction) has coincidied with this noise.
Edit number god knows what, lol!
Spoke to Dan at Taylor TVR - couple of suggestions to eliminate stuff so will go through and elminate! There's no fluid under the car but got to go to work so rest will have to wait. Ain't she beautiful though!
Edited by smash on Friday 19th September 09:09
Hi,
Looked at this car recently, not quite for me but a very nice motor. Certainly behaved Ok on a test run.
You mention the noise is whilst manoeuvering esp. lock to lock. The car is on Sp12 18in and there are rub marks around the front arches (fairly minor) worth checking whether this could be your noise. Obviously doesn't explain fluctuations in oil pressure, assuming they are connected.
Sold the Wedge and still looking for a Cerb.
r's
David
Looked at this car recently, not quite for me but a very nice motor. Certainly behaved Ok on a test run.
You mention the noise is whilst manoeuvering esp. lock to lock. The car is on Sp12 18in and there are rub marks around the front arches (fairly minor) worth checking whether this could be your noise. Obviously doesn't explain fluctuations in oil pressure, assuming they are connected.
Sold the Wedge and still looking for a Cerb.
r's
David
Didn't you go with a TVR Power rebuilt cerbera? Best of luck with your search.
Thanks for heads up on wheels but it's definitely mechanical - first suspect is steering pump at the mo as it's driven off that bloody aux shaft that also does oil pump which could explain pressure variation.
OK power steering not partially hardly working when turning anti clock and under the assumption a seized pump could potentially snap the aux shaft AND bearing in mind the aux shaft failed in March whilst doing a 3 point turn (max load on the pump) I'm taking the better safe than sorry option of replacing the pump. Booked into Taylor TVR next Friday
Thanks for heads up on wheels but it's definitely mechanical - first suspect is steering pump at the mo as it's driven off that bloody aux shaft that also does oil pump which could explain pressure variation.
OK power steering not partially hardly working when turning anti clock and under the assumption a seized pump could potentially snap the aux shaft AND bearing in mind the aux shaft failed in March whilst doing a 3 point turn (max load on the pump) I'm taking the better safe than sorry option of replacing the pump. Booked into Taylor TVR next Friday
Edited by smash on Friday 19th September 14:57
OK run her up today and the noise appeared again - not sure if the oil pressure drop is coincidin with an apparant loading on the engine that hapens with the noise. It actually did it once on idle - not moving wheel or anything. So looks like whatever the noise is (and not related to clutch up and down either although it was actually the moving off that kisked it in so not discouting a thrust bearing) is engine or directly engine driven anciliary. Took it round the block and it didn't do it again - wondering if a bearing is going on something/somewhere.
Power steering needs to go full drivers lock to kick in the passengers lock - this has to be more of a sterring rack problem though i would think as the pump is running constantly - it either works or doesn't I guess.
So continuing my self diagnosis, lol! could either be a bearing on the PAS, water pump or alterntor - or something deep in the engine. New alternator last week at Leven so probably not that.
Power steering needs to go full drivers lock to kick in the passengers lock - this has to be more of a sterring rack problem though i would think as the pump is running constantly - it either works or doesn't I guess.
So continuing my self diagnosis, lol! could either be a bearing on the PAS, water pump or alterntor - or something deep in the engine. New alternator last week at Leven so probably not that.
Well, it was such a nice day I just thought feck it - kill or cure! Not going to let it hold me hostage every time I hear a weird noise!! So I took it out for a long old drive and a bit of 'leg stretching'
Guess what? Went like a ding bat, great oil psi, stable temp and lots of admiration!
Guess what? Went like a ding bat, great oil psi, stable temp and lots of admiration!
Edited by smash on Saturday 20th September 18:35
Spoke too soon noise still present - but the old gal has today gone in to Taylor TVR. Never met Dan before but have come away entirely impressed and with a very good feeling (especially after having a good poke round under the car on the lift - clean as - even Dan said one of the best early cerbs). I'm entirely reassured it was the right purchase which is all that matters 
Edited by smash on Friday 26th September 14:45
Well, having eliminated the air con pump and power steering pump the noise was tracked to the back of the engine/front of gearbox.
Gerabox pulled, a loose shaft spotted and bearing replaced. Put back together and . . . the noise is still there! A borrowed box is going to go in to finally either eliminate or implicate my box - but if that's not it, then it's back to Andy APM as it'll very likely be bottom end which was rebuilt only this year (so is under waranty thank god).
[air supply]"I'm all out of love . . ."[/air supply]
Gerabox pulled, a loose shaft spotted and bearing replaced. Put back together and . . . the noise is still there! A borrowed box is going to go in to finally either eliminate or implicate my box - but if that's not it, then it's back to Andy APM as it'll very likely be bottom end which was rebuilt only this year (so is under waranty thank god).
[air supply]"I'm all out of love . . ."[/air supply]
Edited by smash on Thursday 9th October 16:08
Gazzab said:
What if the failure is a component not replaced during the rebuild?
Did you pay for the rebuild ie is the warranty transferable?
Waranty is transferable, confirmed that with Andy before purchase - it was a short engine that was supplied so if it's not within that then, yes, it'll cost me!Did you pay for the rebuild ie is the warranty transferable?
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