Arrgghh!! Hardpipe kit causing lumpy idle and battery flash?
Discussion
Evening guys,
I'm having a complete mare getting the car ready for a show this weekend and unfortunately it all seems to have stemmed from doing recommended work at the service a month ago! Essentially I was told that the turbo intakes were perished and required to be replaced - not an issue, I bought a lovely set of Pro-alloy pipes from ACT (through Bespoke) and have gone about fitting them.
However - on start up it sounds like the right hand exhaust exit is lumpy on idle (rear turbo?) and the left exhaust exit ticks along nicely without any issue. Idle is at a constant 800rpm but on initial start up it is hesitating slightly then seems to settle within say 5 - 10 seconds.
The worst part though is that having taken her out for two spins in as many nights to see if all is well I have discovered the following:-
1)MUCH MUCH louder intake sound from the filters (Bulkhead mounted) - Normal with solid air intake pipes?
2)There seems to be a slight hesitation on the Turbo, there was minimal lag before - but now if rolling along in 3rd at 30mph, foot to the floor and the Turbos almost seem to come in delayed and flat then a massive surge of power.
3)Battery light has started flickering now when coming off the power and coasting.
Something is not right and I have but a mere 2 days to get her well, which is killing me inside. I've checked the following:-
1) New hard pipe silicon hoses are all sealed well and nothing loose
2) Exhaust tight and not blowing (put silencers back on and ensured that they weren't straining against the rubber hangers
One other thing to mention - the breather out the top of the Oil catch tank (excuse me if I have that wrong) thingy that previously fed into the left hand air-intake from the filter has not been re-joined to that rubber coupler, instead it has it's own Pipercross filter put on and mounted next to the previous filter location - I take it that isn't likely to be at fault as not pressurized etc?
Sorry for the long post - I did search through the topics and have seen reference to cleaning the throttle butterfly out and checking that the exhaust mount to the turbo manifold is good (as the previous owner had used a couple of jubilee clips to lift the exhuast tips off the defuser) but just hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on it?!
If anyone is local(ish) to Bournemouth then I can offer a Papa John's Pizza and a cold beer if they want to pop over and help tomorrow night!
I'm having a complete mare getting the car ready for a show this weekend and unfortunately it all seems to have stemmed from doing recommended work at the service a month ago! Essentially I was told that the turbo intakes were perished and required to be replaced - not an issue, I bought a lovely set of Pro-alloy pipes from ACT (through Bespoke) and have gone about fitting them.
However - on start up it sounds like the right hand exhaust exit is lumpy on idle (rear turbo?) and the left exhaust exit ticks along nicely without any issue. Idle is at a constant 800rpm but on initial start up it is hesitating slightly then seems to settle within say 5 - 10 seconds.
The worst part though is that having taken her out for two spins in as many nights to see if all is well I have discovered the following:-
1)MUCH MUCH louder intake sound from the filters (Bulkhead mounted) - Normal with solid air intake pipes?
2)There seems to be a slight hesitation on the Turbo, there was minimal lag before - but now if rolling along in 3rd at 30mph, foot to the floor and the Turbos almost seem to come in delayed and flat then a massive surge of power.
3)Battery light has started flickering now when coming off the power and coasting.
Something is not right and I have but a mere 2 days to get her well, which is killing me inside. I've checked the following:-
1) New hard pipe silicon hoses are all sealed well and nothing loose
2) Exhaust tight and not blowing (put silencers back on and ensured that they weren't straining against the rubber hangers
One other thing to mention - the breather out the top of the Oil catch tank (excuse me if I have that wrong) thingy that previously fed into the left hand air-intake from the filter has not been re-joined to that rubber coupler, instead it has it's own Pipercross filter put on and mounted next to the previous filter location - I take it that isn't likely to be at fault as not pressurized etc?
Sorry for the long post - I did search through the topics and have seen reference to cleaning the throttle butterfly out and checking that the exhaust mount to the turbo manifold is good (as the previous owner had used a couple of jubilee clips to lift the exhuast tips off the defuser) but just hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on it?!
If anyone is local(ish) to Bournemouth then I can offer a Papa John's Pizza and a cold beer if they want to pop over and help tomorrow night!
James have you got the standard exhaust? if so, there is a y pipe into the back box so would be not be to many logical reasons for a lumpy exhaust on one side. Hesitation on start up is normal. Have you double checked for leaks? It does sound like a classic leak, might be another hose which has been knocked off. Does your gauge display any different? As to the battery light, no idea - may be a loose connection.
Morning guys,
Thanks for the responses - Tim, PM sent to you! The exhaust is a Hayward & Scott stainless system - I don't have the standard pipes unfortunately. I've taken a recording of the boost gauge as to me, it seems to not be right. I've literally not slept as I'm panicking now ahead of the weekend show
Thanks for the responses - Tim, PM sent to you! The exhaust is a Hayward & Scott stainless system - I don't have the standard pipes unfortunately. I've taken a recording of the boost gauge as to me, it seems to not be right. I've literally not slept as I'm panicking now ahead of the weekend show
Edited by Bart 124 on Wednesday 21st May 08:13
Most likely a leak then. Don't panic! We have the technology...
Go through all parts of the system with a fine tooth comb and check nothing has popped off, perished or being pinched. Even tiny holes can make a big difference. Double check your seals on the new silicon too. You can do this by smothering in a liquid and looking for bubbles or to get super technical try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH3UKWy699A (redneck accent is optional).
EDIT: this video is way better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atretf9u-Mc
I will be about on Friday eve if you don't get it fixed sooner.
Go through all parts of the system with a fine tooth comb and check nothing has popped off, perished or being pinched. Even tiny holes can make a big difference. Double check your seals on the new silicon too. You can do this by smothering in a liquid and looking for bubbles or to get super technical try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH3UKWy699A (redneck accent is optional).
EDIT: this video is way better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atretf9u-Mc
I will be about on Friday eve if you don't get it fixed sooner.
Edited by V1DL3R on Wednesday 21st May 08:44
Yeah have a feeling it might be the silicon hoses and the joins.
I'll be stopping off to pick up some Mikalor-esque hose clamps on my way home to see if that resolves the problem. Thing is, the joins all looked good and I tried to make sure that there was minimal pipe bends etc.
First proper problem with the car! Still, it does mean I have secured a Papa Johns dinner and beers past the GF
I'll be stopping off to pick up some Mikalor-esque hose clamps on my way home to see if that resolves the problem. Thing is, the joins all looked good and I tried to make sure that there was minimal pipe bends etc.
First proper problem with the car! Still, it does mean I have secured a Papa Johns dinner and beers past the GF
Sounds to me like you only have one problem, your battery light flickering suggests the wiring from your alternator might be perished and struggling to charge your battery properly.
The idle sounds normal, the inlet noise sounds normal, the lag was always there, you just never looked for it before and now you've made a change, your paranoid.
Get the wiring looked at on the alternator (melted wires prob) and get back to enjoying it.
The idle sounds normal, the inlet noise sounds normal, the lag was always there, you just never looked for it before and now you've made a change, your paranoid.
Get the wiring looked at on the alternator (melted wires prob) and get back to enjoying it.
Firstly Graham's probably right in what he says, the car will sound very different now you've moved the filters and is probably falsely making you think there's more lag because you can now clearly hear the induction.
But see comments below anyhow:
But see comments below anyhow:
Bart 124 said:
However - on start up it sounds like the right hand exhaust exit is lumpy on idle (rear turbo?) and the left exhaust exit ticks along nicely without any issue. Idle is at a constant 800rpm but on initial start up it is hesitating slightly then seems to settle within say 5 - 10 seconds. As suggested if you have a standard exhaust this is very unlikely, if you're adamant then I'd say it was probably already like that and you've just never noticed. Idle sounds fairly normal to me.
The worst part though is that having taken her out for two spins in as many nights to see if all is well I have discovered the following:-
1)MUCH MUCH louder intake sound from the filters (Bulkhead mounted) - Normal with solid air intake pipes? Yep. It's beginning to wear on me already
2)There seems to be a slight hesitation on the Turbo, there was minimal lag before - but now if rolling along in 3rd at 30mph, foot to the floor and the Turbos almost seem to come in delayed and flat then a massive surge of power. Again sounds more like you're 'hearing' the turbos spool because of the louder induction
3)Battery light has started flickering now when coming off the power and coasting. See Graham's comment
Something is not right and I have but a mere 2 days to get her well, which is killing me inside. I've checked the following:-
1) New hard pipe silicon hoses are all sealed well and nothing loose
2) Exhaust tight and not blowing (put silencers back on and ensured that they weren't straining against the rubber hangers
One other thing to mention - the breather out the top of the Oil catch tank (excuse me if I have that wrong) thingy that previously fed into the left hand air-intake from the filter has not been re-joined to that rubber coupler, instead it has it's own Pipercross filter put on and mounted next to the previous filter location - I take it that isn't likely to be at fault as not pressurized etc? Nope, that's an acceptable way of doing it. See posts regarding the standard oil breather setup though and get your wallet out again
Sorry for the long post - I did search through the topics and have seen reference to cleaning the throttle butterfly out and checking that the exhaust mount to the turbo manifold is good (as the previous owner had used a couple of jubilee clips to lift the exhuast tips off the defuser) but just hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on it?!
If anyone is local(ish) to Bournemouth then I can offer a Papa John's Pizza and a cold beer if they want to pop over and help tomorrow night!
This might sound odd but do you have a propane blow torch at home? If so you can start the car and with an unlit torch point the nozzle at the silicon hoses. If the revs pick up you've found your vacuum leak The worst part though is that having taken her out for two spins in as many nights to see if all is well I have discovered the following:-
1)MUCH MUCH louder intake sound from the filters (Bulkhead mounted) - Normal with solid air intake pipes? Yep. It's beginning to wear on me already
2)There seems to be a slight hesitation on the Turbo, there was minimal lag before - but now if rolling along in 3rd at 30mph, foot to the floor and the Turbos almost seem to come in delayed and flat then a massive surge of power. Again sounds more like you're 'hearing' the turbos spool because of the louder induction
3)Battery light has started flickering now when coming off the power and coasting. See Graham's comment
Something is not right and I have but a mere 2 days to get her well, which is killing me inside. I've checked the following:-
1) New hard pipe silicon hoses are all sealed well and nothing loose
2) Exhaust tight and not blowing (put silencers back on and ensured that they weren't straining against the rubber hangers
One other thing to mention - the breather out the top of the Oil catch tank (excuse me if I have that wrong) thingy that previously fed into the left hand air-intake from the filter has not been re-joined to that rubber coupler, instead it has it's own Pipercross filter put on and mounted next to the previous filter location - I take it that isn't likely to be at fault as not pressurized etc? Nope, that's an acceptable way of doing it. See posts regarding the standard oil breather setup though and get your wallet out again
Sorry for the long post - I did search through the topics and have seen reference to cleaning the throttle butterfly out and checking that the exhaust mount to the turbo manifold is good (as the previous owner had used a couple of jubilee clips to lift the exhuast tips off the defuser) but just hoping someone might be able to shed a little light on it?!
If anyone is local(ish) to Bournemouth then I can offer a Papa John's Pizza and a cold beer if they want to pop over and help tomorrow night!
StreetDragster said:
Blu3R said:
This might sound odd but do you have a propane blow torch at home? If so you can start the car and with an unlit torch point the nozzle at the silicon hoses. If the revs pick up you've found your vacuum leak
Genuius, i've never heard of that before. Matt
Thanks for all the replies guys - certainly some things to try when I get home tonight.
One thing to add - the filters have always been in the Bulkhead since picking her up 5 months ago, just aware now that the blow-off sound is very different. I thought the intake sound might be heightened though! You're very right, I think I'm probably a bit paranoid about it all sounding a bit different now having done the work myself.
I have a couple of guys who have very kindly given up their evenings in reward for Pizza & Beer to come have a look tonight, hopefully report back with some good news.
Once again - thanks for all the replies, what a helpful bunch us Noble owners are.
One thing to add - the filters have always been in the Bulkhead since picking her up 5 months ago, just aware now that the blow-off sound is very different. I thought the intake sound might be heightened though! You're very right, I think I'm probably a bit paranoid about it all sounding a bit different now having done the work myself.
I have a couple of guys who have very kindly given up their evenings in reward for Pizza & Beer to come have a look tonight, hopefully report back with some good news.
Once again - thanks for all the replies, what a helpful bunch us Noble owners are.
Quick update - no real further progression, but have some confidence that it's just a little minor issue.
Big big thanks to toolmantim for popping round, helping out, eating Pizza and then going home to get his 3R to put my mind at rest that it doesn't have to idle like a sewing machine!!
Big big thanks to toolmantim for popping round, helping out, eating Pizza and then going home to get his 3R to put my mind at rest that it doesn't have to idle like a sewing machine!!
Low voltage can affect the way the car runs, so I'd recommend sorting out your alternator issues first. Check the wiring for signs of heat damage, use a meter to check the alternator output, check all the connectors on the alternator for signs of corrosion or looseness. Pay special attention to the single wire that loops out of the three-wire connector into a single pin connector on the alternator - none of the cars in the US came with the proper mating connector on the wire, instead, they used a generic tab connector. The generic connector doesn't fit the alternator connector very well, loosens up over time, and eventually corrodes enough to make the connection intermittent.
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