Running Rough

[marty]

hi guys, hope someone can help me.
I recently purchased a 94' GR Tip. Initially everything was great, however last weekend I drove the car from Belfast to Enniskillen. About 30miles from Belfast on the way back i noticed a rattling noise coming from engine when i pressed the accelerator, and when i pulled over the engine cut out at low revs and smoke starting pouring from the engine bay. I checked the engine oil, topped it up because it was a bit low, and after letting the engine cool for about 30mins headed on back to home. About 15miles further down the motorway the rattling noise started again and i pulled over, the engine cut out at low revs and smoke came from under bonnet again. Eventually I got her home. Now when i start the engine all seems fine, but after driving for a few miles the rattling noise from the engine starts up again and i lose power, altho it doesn't appear to be smoking as much. Also when in neutral the revs appear to be increasing then decreasing.
Can anyone help suggest a possible problem/remedy?

[colm_mcm]

what colour was the smoke? did you pinpoint where it was coming from?

did you allow the car to cool down before topping up the oil?

What type of small did the smoke have?

any pools under the car?

[marty]

thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

the smoke was a white colour, it didnt appear to be coming from any specific location
yes the engine was cool when i topped up the oil
the smoke smelt like oil
there were no oil leaks however the first time i pulled over the coolant had bubbled over.
the smoke doesnt appear to be much of a problem anymore - it pretty much seems to have stopped theres just the persistant rattle and loss of power.

[Bernard]

I'm not sure what the problem is but if it was me, I wouldn't be driving it until it's sorted.

[Dragonheart]

Wouldnt be too worried about the revs increasing when in neutral, is your air con turned on? If the air con is turned on then it uses more of the battery power so the car revs up a bit to keep this up, mine does it all the time, and its tip as well.
As for the oil and the smell, change your engine oil and filter, and your transmission oil and filter, mightnt have been changed in a while maybe, especially if you said it was low when you checked it. Do a routine service on it and it might cure some of those things for you.

[colm_mcm]

sounds a lot more serious than all that, there's obviously something majorly wrong here.

[Kace]

Sounds to me like a burst coolant pipe in the engine bay - I had this with a previous car. I thought that the engine had exploded when it happened. White smoke EVERYWHERE !

Unfortunately there is a good chance that you have been running the engine without any coolant running through the system - this is why it was boiling hot in the reservoir. You have probably toasted your water pump as well.

With the car off - fill up the car immediately to the brim with water through the radiator cap (don't go near the coolant overflow reservoir to fill it - this isn't the place).

See if all of your water pisses out immediately when you have filled it. If so check where it's coming out - probably out of a burst pipe and/or water pump.

Let us know how you get on.

[Dave]

Sounds like the big end bearing to me!!!!!!!!!! New engine

[colm_mcm]

Have a €200 95 GR engine available here if you're stuck. hopefully it won't be required.

[gary d]

Sounds like the big end bearing to me!!!!!!!!!! New engine

I have to agree with Dave on this mate, big end would explain the rattle and the smoke. Though I would have thought
it would be present from start up i.e. no delay in the noise becoming apparent. Is the rattle accompanied by a vibration?

[Dragonheart]

Actually when Chris's engine went he thought it was loud tappets first didnt he? Same type of noise?

[gary d]

Actually when Chris's engine went he thought it was loud tappets first didnt he? Same type of noise?

Yeah mate a big end failure would sound really like tappets, same sort of metallic clatter with a hint of bloodcurdling impending doom tow it to a mechenic for a second opinion if your lucky it might not be too far gone. You might get away with replacing the shell bearings if it hasn't damaged the crank. good luck hope its not as bad as it sounds.

[CJ]

I'm with Kace on this one, based on past experience, I'm guessing its a leak in the coolant system, check the hoses and cap for leaks. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank. Lets not frighten the chap with tales of big end bearings just yet!

CJ

[gary d]

How do you explain the rattling sound? collapsed waterpump bearing?

[CJ]

How do you explain the rattling sound? collapsed waterpump bearing?

Its possible, yes.

Marty, suggest you get it a mechanic sharpish and get a prognosis, tow it if at all possible.

CJ

[Dragonheart]

It would have to be lifted would it? Seeing as its tip? Dont think you can tow them.

[CJ]

It would have to be lifted would it? Seeing as its tip? Dont think you can tow them.

A wheel-lift or flatbed truck would be recommended. You can tow tips a short distance under 30mph in neutral but I wouldn't recommend it.

CJ

[Dragonheart]

Thats what I was thinking ya.

[Wildhound]

Sounds eerily similar to what happened when my big end went.

Thermostat failure led to the engine overheating on the M1, coolant boiled off with a nice big white smoke cloud. Bearing susequently failed which led to a rattling noise in the engine (though this was constant from start up and very distinct, not like tappets) and regular power loss, with the engine cutting out whenever it felt like it.

Don't drive the car. Get it straight to a mechanic or you may end up terminally damaging the engine like I did. Replacing the engine wasn't fun.

[mivecmad27]

big ends would be making seriously sickening noise from start up,if it was oil it'd be blue smoke,i'd say the white "smoke" is actually steam as said before from a coolant leak,if so it would be over heating which causes the lack of power,and serious knocking,was she overheating???

[Muad_dib77]

mmh..I never saw smoke when my big end went..only when the engine siezed up.

Odd sound from engine bowels was only really audible when revving engine..it sounded a bit like somebody had drop a bag of nuts into the engine..

White smoke would be steam..so yes check coolant system.
Blueishblack smoke is normally oil, cant mistake it..honest, the difference is obvious once you've seen the two.

I would definately get the car checked out before driving it any further..

[Wildhound]

That describes the sound perfectly Muad, it was loudest around the middle of the rev range for me.

I didn't get smoke either, but I did the coolant boiling off when the thermostat went (which is what led to the big end going apprently).

[marty]

thanks for all ur replies, they've been extremely helpful. after filling up the coolant system through the radiator cap as kace suggested, water started pouring from my water pump area. once this stopped, and i started the engine more water started pouring out from the same area, so im guessing the water pump itself is still working, there's just a massive leak in it sumwer. This would make sense as to why the engine was fine on start up then after a few miles over heated. anyway im hoping to investiagte the water pump further today, then i'll post when its sorted - hopefully soon!
thanks again for all ur help.

[CJ]

Glad you found the issue, don't drive the car until the water pump is replaced, you risk engine damage otherwise. While you're at it, change the timing belt if you've no record of a recent change or the best hasn't been changed within the service schedule. The belt has to come off to replace the pump so you're as well to do both. Parts available with FTO-Ireland discount from http://www.camskill.co.uk.

CJ

[marty]

got the car back yesterday. water pump replaced, and also the cam sensor went while it was in the garage so thts fixed too. revs still increasing and decreasing in neutral, perhaps a sensor but im looking into that. other than that she's back on the road, driving nicely and im a happy boy.
full marks to kace, thanks again.