Too much noise and not enough wash - DB9
Discussion
Since I got the DB9 it had always had more wind noise on the drivers side than was right for the conditions. About 60-70 mph and you would get an annoying drone. It wasn't the seal and the door was seated correctly and then one night in the garage I just happened to notice that there was a small gap between the window and the A pillar near to the door mirror mount. Not a lot but enough to get your finger nail in.
So I set about taking the door panel off and loosening the window bolt having first used masking tape to mark where the window was, I then lifted the window by a couple of mm and tightened the bolt. The window switch comes off the door panel easily so you can operate the window easily. A very easy to fit door panel as well no poppers to break off. Also noticed that the rear upper window rubber had disintegrated so got a new one (other side was OK). The car was transformed into a silenced GT except the growl of the engine which will not be on my list of silencing.
I also dealt with the exhaust valves that were sticking and not working. I changed the vacuum solenoid and all now works so I have the choice of noise or less noise now. The car was fully warm at this point.
http://youtu.be/4GwdMEZDk5g
The last thing was the washers not working for the screen (light washers were good). I could hear the pump but got no water. To be honest never got a great deal of water ever so off comes the front wheel and the hundred or so bolts to get the liner off. Pulled the rubber tube and blew through fine (no water from pump when operated) so took pump out of rubber bung and still no water which was not right as the reservoir was almost full. So took the bung out and water gushed out and also the bung had a 3 inch length of blue gunk attached to it. I guess some screen wash had built up over time in the plastic housing quick clean with 1 finger over the reservoir hole put it back together and now the washers work like on my other cars - which is to say they actually wash the screen.
So if you have lazy washers you might want to consider this as the problem. Just in time as the MOT is in a few days time and that would have been a daft fail.
So I set about taking the door panel off and loosening the window bolt having first used masking tape to mark where the window was, I then lifted the window by a couple of mm and tightened the bolt. The window switch comes off the door panel easily so you can operate the window easily. A very easy to fit door panel as well no poppers to break off. Also noticed that the rear upper window rubber had disintegrated so got a new one (other side was OK). The car was transformed into a silenced GT except the growl of the engine which will not be on my list of silencing.
I also dealt with the exhaust valves that were sticking and not working. I changed the vacuum solenoid and all now works so I have the choice of noise or less noise now. The car was fully warm at this point.
http://youtu.be/4GwdMEZDk5g
The last thing was the washers not working for the screen (light washers were good). I could hear the pump but got no water. To be honest never got a great deal of water ever so off comes the front wheel and the hundred or so bolts to get the liner off. Pulled the rubber tube and blew through fine (no water from pump when operated) so took pump out of rubber bung and still no water which was not right as the reservoir was almost full. So took the bung out and water gushed out and also the bung had a 3 inch length of blue gunk attached to it. I guess some screen wash had built up over time in the plastic housing quick clean with 1 finger over the reservoir hole put it back together and now the washers work like on my other cars - which is to say they actually wash the screen.
So if you have lazy washers you might want to consider this as the problem. Just in time as the MOT is in a few days time and that would have been a daft fail.
Edited by SLacKer on Sunday 11th November 17:35
Thanks guys.
Forgot to mention I took the passenger door card off and used some small felt sticking pads to cure the creaking door issue. Just one more to do within the passenger side of the dash. Also need to strip the dash and fix the CD changer which has worked for about 10 minutes of my ownership but caveat emptor even when you buy from an AM official dealer.
Finally decided to put some tiles down on the garage floor to allow for better working conditions. Anyone done this and got any recommendations of suppliers.
Forgot to mention I took the passenger door card off and used some small felt sticking pads to cure the creaking door issue. Just one more to do within the passenger side of the dash. Also need to strip the dash and fix the CD changer which has worked for about 10 minutes of my ownership but caveat emptor even when you buy from an AM official dealer.
Finally decided to put some tiles down on the garage floor to allow for better working conditions. Anyone done this and got any recommendations of suppliers.
Try this one for a few tips Slacker 
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Excellent job btw....the sort of thing Luna does.....the sort of thing I WISH I could do
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Excellent job btw....the sort of thing Luna does.....the sort of thing I WISH I could do
SLacKer said:
Finally decided to put some tiles down on the garage floor to allow for better working conditions. Anyone done this and got any recommendations of suppliers.
Oh yes, I can heartedly recommend http://mototile.com/Easy to lay and transforms the garage,
FatFrank said:
Top job Luna. You just reminded me that I've got to do something like that. Perhaps in the Spring?
How high in the air are you able to get the ramp with the car on it? I ask because my garage has similar rafters that would limit the travel.
FF
High enough to be able to sit on a mechanics type stool and wheel myself under.... So about waist height at ramp level....How high in the air are you able to get the ramp with the car on it? I ask because my garage has similar rafters that would limit the travel.
FF
I've sold the ramp last year but the new owner hasn't collected yet
Decided I'm not going to spend that much time mucking about with old cars anymore...
Done a few updates since those pics, lathe, milling machine, and some extra tool chests...... These days I get more of a kick out of making stuff on the lathe than lying under a car
LordBretSinclair said:
God! Tacky & dated
.... So easy to sit behind a keyboard and make stupid comments..... Why not post a pic of your 21st century state of the art garage....??Lunablack said:
High enough to be able to sit on a mechanics type stool and wheel myself under.... So about waist height at ramp level....
I've sold the ramp last year but the new owner hasn't collected yet
Decided I'm not going to spend that much time mucking about with old cars anymore...
Done a few updates since those pics, lathe, milling machine, and some extra tool chests...... These days I get more of a kick out of making stuff on the lathe than lying under a car
Luna work is about to start on my new garage and I'm planning to fit a lift. I'm still undecided about a 2 post or 4 post lift. What was the make of your ramp? And no I'm not doing it so Phil can park his car under mine and out of the rain!I've sold the ramp last year but the new owner hasn't collected yet
Decided I'm not going to spend that much time mucking about with old cars anymore...
Done a few updates since those pics, lathe, milling machine, and some extra tool chests...... These days I get more of a kick out of making stuff on the lathe than lying under a car
F1 NDW said:
Luna work is about to start on my new garage and I'm planning to fit a lift. I'm still undecided about a 2 post or 4 post lift. What was the make of your ramp? And no I'm not doing it so Phil can park his car under mine and out of the rain!
It came from this company....bought it around 07.... And paid around £1500 at the time....It was 50/50 on this or a 2 post, but in the end I went for the 4 poster....I've just sold it, and pretty much got my money back... So worked out well
http://webportal.internbv.nl/
F1 NDW said:
Ok thanks. I must admit I started of determined that the two post was the right choice. Now however I am thinking I will get the four post. I think it offers the advantage of safely storing the car raised on it and will turn my wide single garage into a two car garage.
Yes..... I didn't have the option of using the height to store another car underneath, but I felt that the 4 poster offered the safest way of lifting the car, in that it had nice wide ramps, and you just drive on and off....Whereas the 2 poster, YOU have to position the arms, and YOU have to get them in exactly the right spot to avoid damage and lift safely.... Bit more potential for mistakes IMO
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