Problems with a RR Classic

[Horse_Apple]

Morning all,

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated on these niggles. I suspect that most fo them I can do myself if I can get a couple of pointers:

The car is a 1993 Catalyst (docs claim it is a Vogue EFI, but I'm not sure it is)

Interior light has started popping on when going over a bump.

Flutter/tapping noise from passenger foot well, linked directly to acceleration and assuming that it is a small gasket leak on the manifold.

Engine idle is too high once hot (up to 1500rpm). I can't find the screw that used to be on earlier ones by the plenum but suspect that this wouldn't help anyway as it would lead to too low revs when cold. Thought the choke might be staying on?

Overheating. Suspect this is linked to the tick over being too high as it pops up when stuck in traffic.

Lumpy steering. Fluid in the resevoir but the steering gets lumpy after about a half lock. Wasn't sure whether this is most likely to be a power steering issue or dry ball joints?

Here is the real killer: deep and loud drumming associated with speed and seemingly eminating from the off side front. I suspect this as it stops when on a right hander and the weight is loaded on the other side and is amplified on a left hander. My innitial suspicion is that it is a bearing.

Other than that, it's a great runner

Any ideas would be hugely welcome.

[Steve_D]

Horse_Apple said:

Interior light has started popping on when going over a bump.

Suspect loose wiring in the switch

Horse_Apple said:

Flutter/tapping noise from passenger foot well, linked directly to acceleration and assuming that it is a small gasket leak on the manifold.

Agreed on the gasket

Horse_Apple said:

Engine idle is too high once hot (up to 1500rpm). I can't find the screw that used to be on earlier ones by the plenum but suspect that this wouldn't help anyway as it would lead to too low revs when cold. Thought the choke might be staying on?

I think they have a stepper motor air valve. Seem to remember others talking of them becoming gummed up and a good solvent clean fixes the problem.

Horse_Apple said:

Overheating. Suspect this is linked to the tick over being too high as it pops up when stuck in traffic.

Agreed.

Horse_Apple said:

Lumpy steering. Fluid in the resevoir but the steering gets lumpy after about a half lock. Wasn't sure whether this is most likely to be a power steering issue or dry ball joints?

Difficult call but I would suspect the steering box. Drop off the joint at the box and see if the problem is still there.

Horse_Apple said:

Here is the real killer: deep and loud drumming associated with speed and seemingly emanating from the off side front. I suspect this as it stops when on a right hander and the weight is loaded on the other side and is amplified on a left hander. My initial suspicion is that it is a bearing.

When you have it jacked up to check the steering you can spin the wheel and have a listen.

Steve

[GKP]

I'd suggest either the rad is due for a rebuild or the viscous fan needs replacing as far as the overheating in traffic goes.

As for the Vogue EFi query, on a 1993 if you've got cloth seats then it's a Vogue EFi - if it's got leather seats then you have a Vogue SE. That's about it!

[Liszt]

agree with what has been posted above. I know it's daft but are the wheel nuts tight? The rad fins may be just blocked but that would be too lucky.

The stepper motor is on the short, bulkhead side of the plenum chamber. Remove, clean, refit.

[Horse_Apple]

Liszt said:

agree with what has been posted above. I know it's daft but are the wheel nuts tight? The rad fins may be just blocked but that would be too lucky.

The stepper motor is on the short, bulkhead side of the plenum chamber. Remove, clean, refit.

Thanks for all the comments above. A great help.

I did put a high pressure hose gently on the back of the radiator as old cars are often plugged full of bugs but it wasn't the cause.

Checking the wheel nuts is a very interesting one I hadn't thought of. You don't actually feel the drumming through the steering wheel though, which I would have thought you would if it were that?

I'll have a play with the stepper motor this evening.

Thanks.

[Liszt]

Horse_Apple said:

Liszt said:

agree with what has been posted above. I know it's daft but are the wheel nuts tight? The rad fins may be just blocked but that would be too lucky.

The stepper motor is on the short, bulkhead side of the plenum chamber. Remove, clean, refit.

Thanks for all the comments above. A great help.

I did put a high pressure hose gently on the back of the radiator as old cars are often plugged full of bugs but it wasn't the cause.

Checking the wheel nuts is a very interesting one I hadn't thought of. You don't actually feel the drumming through the steering wheel though, which I would have thought you would if it were that?

I'll have a play with the stepper motor this evening.

Thanks.

Another one I have had was the edge of the brake disc had gone rusty and a flake of heavy rust was hitting the caliper at every revolution. Was amazed at such an inoccuous fault cause such a loud noise.