Problems after rebuild
Discussion
Hi all,
Sorry if some of these questions have been asked before, tried searching but it takes aaaagggesss
So, I finally got my car back last weekend after having the engine rebuilt, after the engine decided to it didn't want to play anymore.....Since getting it back it's devoloped a few annoying habits....
1) Running quite hot, and get's upto temp very quickly. Within a min of the car running it's showing 90 on the guage, and this then reasonable quickly rises to 95-100 when the fans cut in. The temp does then come down a bit but hovers around the 90-100 throughout any journey (motorway/town driving/etc....). Before the rebuild it had the leven cooling kit fitted, which controlled the temp nicely, so a bit bemused at whats going on..
2) After around 10 minutes of driving, a very slight hesitation can be felt under light throttle. Increasing hte throttle seems to cure it, but lifting off and it returns. I have figured out that it seems to coincide with hte fans kicking in, and is also worse if the lights are on.
3) The above problem is even worse if at lights, etc. When approaching a junction half the time it will go to stall. Now normally it will catch itself just in time and bring hte rev's up, but recently it just dies altogether, and then won't start (starter motor turns but really struggles). Before the rebuild it did have the hot start problem, but then nothing happened at all, so it's changed...
Sorry for the realllllly long post, but this is getting me down and I want to get it sorted. I've been without it for 2 months, and to be like this when I finally get it back isn't good :crying:
On a positive note, it does pull like good'n now, can't wait to get this running in finished
Sorry if some of these questions have been asked before, tried searching but it takes aaaagggesss
So, I finally got my car back last weekend after having the engine rebuilt, after the engine decided to it didn't want to play anymore.....Since getting it back it's devoloped a few annoying habits....
1) Running quite hot, and get's upto temp very quickly. Within a min of the car running it's showing 90 on the guage, and this then reasonable quickly rises to 95-100 when the fans cut in. The temp does then come down a bit but hovers around the 90-100 throughout any journey (motorway/town driving/etc....). Before the rebuild it had the leven cooling kit fitted, which controlled the temp nicely, so a bit bemused at whats going on..
2) After around 10 minutes of driving, a very slight hesitation can be felt under light throttle. Increasing hte throttle seems to cure it, but lifting off and it returns. I have figured out that it seems to coincide with hte fans kicking in, and is also worse if the lights are on.
3) The above problem is even worse if at lights, etc. When approaching a junction half the time it will go to stall. Now normally it will catch itself just in time and bring hte rev's up, but recently it just dies altogether, and then won't start (starter motor turns but really struggles). Before the rebuild it did have the hot start problem, but then nothing happened at all, so it's changed...
Sorry for the realllllly long post, but this is getting me down and I want to get it sorted. I've been without it for 2 months, and to be like this when I finally get it back isn't good :crying:
On a positive note, it does pull like good'n now, can't wait to get this running in finished
jonathant said:
similar posting re: your cooling fans?
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=255322
Hmmm, does sound exactly like my problem. It's had all new leads, plugs, etc, but might be worth me checking the connections again. The only parts not replaced were the shrouds, maybe they're breaking down under the high temp?
Podie said:
If you've paid someone to do the rebuild, take it back and get them to sort it.
Did that a couple of times, not really getting anywhere though. It's quite a distance as well, so would like to either sort it myself or have a fair idea before I hand over another wedge of money for someone else to fix it
sounds like you have a couple of seperate problems as opposed to one, the temperature could be down to a new stat, if its an 88 deg one that has been fitted it will run this hot, the poor starting and things happening when more drain on the alternator is most likely going to be down to a bad earth, if needed leave the old one there and run a completely new one in, hesitation on light throttle is generaly caused by either the engine running too weal/lean too much advance on the distributor "try disconecting the vacum advance this should help a bit" or too much cam in the engine, what bits were fitted when the work was done?
v8 racing said:
sounds like you have a couple of seperate problems as opposed to one, the temperature could be down to a new stat, if its an 88 deg one that has been fitted it will run this hot, the poor starting and things happening when more drain on the alternator is most likely going to be down to a bad earth, if needed leave the old one there and run a completely new one in, hesitation on light throttle is generaly caused by either the engine running too weal/lean too much advance on the distributor "try disconecting the vacum advance this should help a bit" or too much cam in the engine, what bits were fitted when the work was done?
Thanks for this V8, couple of quick questions...
How do I tell if the stat is the 88 deg one? Is it an external component or within the engine somewhere?
The earth issue sounds about right, as my gauges fluctuate a lot, would this simply be a case of running an earth lead from the neg battery to the chassis and then onto the engine block?
The cam was replaced last year for a "high-lift performance" cam (not sure of part number), but the thing is it doesn't hesitate when cold, only once it's warm. Could this be a combination of hte earth problem and the general lumpiness of the cam?
Cheers
Gaffer said:
No mention of me feeding you a 3 course dinner..?
Did you do what was asked..? ie a new earthing strap..? I am pretty sure he gave you the instructions on how to do it if you didnt want to run back up..?
Try it and then let him know if its any better or not.
Claire
Haha, sorry, the customer care was of course superb
Nothing against the guy who did it, as he knows, but I've already had several 400 miles round trips this month and we haven't really got anywhere, so I'm after some opinions from fellow Griff owners. I've had a brief chat, and I'm going to try the earthing issue this weekend, but I'd like to hear from other Griff owners to see if they've experienced similar problems.
Karl
A poor earth could cause the gauge to over read as well as cause starting problems, I had both these on my Griff caused by a poor earth, mine also seem to run a little hotter after the recent rebuild, I fitted a Leven cooling kit just to be on the safe side and noticed the gauge is reading a little high, it’s about 5-10 degrees hotter on the gauge than the new switch actually turns the fans on, this was the same with the old switch too.
I’d also give the stepper motor a clean.
I’d also give the stepper motor a clean.
grif500 said:
sounds like you have a couple of seperate problems as opposed to one, the temperature could be down to a new stat, if its an 88 deg one that has been fitted it will run this hot, the poor starting and things happening when more drain on the alternator is most likely going to be down to a bad earth, if needed leave the old one there and run a completely new one in, hesitation on light throttle is generaly caused by either the engine running too weal/lean too much advance on the distributor "try disconecting the vacum advance this should help a bit" or too much cam in the engine, what bits were fitted when the work was done?
Thanks for this V8, couple of quick questions...
How do I tell if the stat is the 88 deg one? Is it an external component or within the engine somewhere?
The earth issue sounds about right, as my gauges fluctuate a lot, would this simply be a case of running an earth lead from the neg battery to the chassis and then onto the engine block?
The cam was replaced last year for a "high-lift performance" cam (not sure of part number), but the thing is it doesn't hesitate when cold, only once it's warm. Could this be a combination of hte earth problem and the general lumpiness of the cam?
Cheers
The temp on the stat will only been seen if you take it out from the engine, i take it this work was done by ian at torque? i havent had any dealings with him but he seems a good guy from what i have heard, he should be able to tell you what he did,
On the earth front of things it is quite common on tivs, as i said earlier i would leave the one on you have now and run a second one in there, you want one from the battery to the chassis, and then one from the chassis to the engine block,
On the heitation front if it doest do it when its cold this is deffinetly a mixture problem by the engine running weak, any engine has to run rich when it is cold, bit like a choke on a carbed engine, just to see if it is this at the back of the plenum there is a vacum pipe from the fuel pressure regulator to the plenum, disconect one end and take it for a run see if it helps, this will raise the fuel pressure and make the engine run richer
grif500 said:
No mention of me feeding you a 3 course dinner..?
Did you do what was asked..? ie a new earthing strap..? I am pretty sure he gave you the instructions on how to do it if you didnt want to run back up..?
Try it and then let him know if its any better or not.
Claire
Haha, sorry, the customer care was of course superb
Nothing against the guy who did it, as he knows, but I've already had several 400 miles round trips this month and we haven't really got anywhere, so I'm after some opinions from fellow Griff owners. I've had a brief chat, and I'm going to try the earthing issue this weekend, but I'd like to hear from other Griff owners to see if they've experienced similar problems.
Karl
Hi Karl, Nice to meet you on Good Friday, your Griff certainly sounds fantastic. Is the noise to make up for the non working horn??Sorry to hear the gremlins have not been sorted out by the "Time Lord" I'm sure it's only a matter of time Sorry too that I can't be of any help as my Griff seems to be working fine...... tempting fate??
Cheers LL
Oh and Claire...........not even a cup of tea for me!! ;-)
Did you make it to Oulton on Monday?
Loose Lips said:
No mention of me feeding you a 3 course dinner..?
Did you do what was asked..? ie a new earthing strap..? I am pretty sure he gave you the instructions on how to do it if you didnt want to run back up..?
Try it and then let him know if its any better or not.
Claire
Haha, sorry, the customer care was of course superb
Nothing against the guy who did it, as he knows, but I've already had several 400 miles round trips this month and we haven't really got anywhere, so I'm after some opinions from fellow Griff owners. I've had a brief chat, and I'm going to try the earthing issue this weekend, but I'd like to hear from other Griff owners to see if they've experienced similar problems.
Karl
Hi Karl, Nice to meet you on Good Friday, your Griff certainly sounds fantastic. Is the noise to make up for the non working horn??Sorry to hear the gremlins have not been sorted out by the "Time Lord" I'm sure it's only a matter of time Sorry too that I can't be of any help as my Griff seems to be working fine...... tempting fate??
Cheers LL
Oh and Claire...........not even a cup of tea for me!! ;-)
Did you make it to Oulton on Monday?
Ohhhh..! what about the ham and cheese toastie I made at 2.30am that you didnt eat???
I would love to say we did, unfortuantly we went to Blackpool to see the Parents and got stuck there.
Claire
Loose Lips said:
Gaffer
Ohhhh..! what about the ham and cheese toastie I made at 2.30am that you didnt eat???
Claire
Is it still warm? I'll come around for it now, I'm starving!!
LL
no it's in the dog. I am not up there tonight, going directly from Manchester to his house too cold for me to be sat at the garage.
Give us a shout when you are there and I'll wander up.
Claire
V8, where abouts is the temp stat located? Is it something I can safely remove and check?
Paul/Quinny, thanks for the pointers. I found the engine earth strap today, and the connection definately looked a little suss. The previous owner had protected the chassis really well, but the earth strap was sitting on a bolt that was covered in whatever paint was protecting the chassis, so not sure if the earht point was that good. Cleaned it up, and job's a good'un!
Idled lovely, guages were steady and temp is reading a more realistic figure. I saw another earth point just in front of the rad, but couldn't get to it without ramps, so that will have to wait till hte weekend.
Hia Loose Lips, good to meet you too, always nice to see such a well looked after Griff
It's true, I don't need a horn on mine, just lift off, a few Pop's and Bangs later and the roads clear again!
Paul/Quinny, thanks for the pointers. I found the engine earth strap today, and the connection definately looked a little suss. The previous owner had protected the chassis really well, but the earth strap was sitting on a bolt that was covered in whatever paint was protecting the chassis, so not sure if the earht point was that good. Cleaned it up, and job's a good'un!
Idled lovely, guages were steady and temp is reading a more realistic figure. I saw another earth point just in front of the rad, but couldn't get to it without ramps, so that will have to wait till hte weekend. Hia Loose Lips, good to meet you too, always nice to see such a well looked after Griff
It's true, I don't need a horn on mine, just lift off, a few Pop's and Bangs later and the roads clear again! Glad to hear it’s running better now.
The thermostat is located in the front of the inlet manifold, if you follow the top hose from the swirl tank to the engine you’ll see it’s connected to a alloy part held on by 2 bolts, it’s in there, if you take it out you will need to bleed the cooling system again and make sure you get all the air out.
The thermostat is located in the front of the inlet manifold, if you follow the top hose from the swirl tank to the engine you’ll see it’s connected to a alloy part held on by 2 bolts, it’s in there, if you take it out you will need to bleed the cooling system again and make sure you get all the air out.
Quinny said:
Ok Karl just for you 
I feel honoured...
I had a quick nose around last night, there's a fair bit of other "engine" in way of mine (hmmmm, can you tell I'm not a mechanic...). When you say the right way round, I take it there's a wrong way of installing the 'stat? I'm going to be draining the coolant tonight so might take the opportunity to check the stat out at the same time (learnt the hard way yesterday that when bleeding the coolant don't take the screw all the way out..."Little bit more, little bit more....gush gush gush
oh 
" ) I've also heard of a resistor that exists near the stat, to fine tune the gauge, anyone know where this would be? I'm going to measure the temp that the fans come on tonight with one of those infrared thermometer thingies, hopefully it's just my gauge that's out and can be adjusted with a new resistor....
Quinny said:
When you say the right way round, I take it there's a wrong way of installing the 'stat?
Spring always faces inwards.
Cheers, even I shouldn't get that wrong
Ok, so I took some readings with the thermometer tonight. When the fans came on, the radiator was showing 90, the in-flowing hose was around 92 and the return was 67-70. This was fairly consistant, even after a 20 min run. The gauge was always showing at least 95, once it had warmed up, and gradually rose to 100 even with the fans on, but I never saw anything like that on radiator. There were some cold spots on it, 75, and some hotter areas right in the middle of around 92. The block itself was only showing 80-85 max. So what does everyone reckon?
(oh, and I measured the manifolds as well........290c!!!
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