Multiple issues - I think - Please help

[Muad_dib77]

Guys I'm have a few problems.
- With my car, mostly.

I got my new clutch fitted and it works brilliantly..got the exedy performance one fitted and I've been unstopable since. That is until this evening.

Since I got the clutch fitted the car has been idiling at 200rpm .. whereas before it was steady at 800. I'm guessing it's approx 200rpm and the little line on the meter btw. It was alright at 200 for a week..Grand..Not a bother. Then the car started just dying when it was idling. Right I though - stepper motor needs a clean - I'll get around to that sunday - I THOUGHT!

I've just been at the local shop which is just down the road - and I noticed something quite alarming there is a load clanky noise from the engine when I rev at 3500-4000rpm It changes frequency with the RPM and it's there when the car isn't driving as well.

To me - I'm no pro at this thing - it sound like either a tappet or a cylinder/cylinder ring. In pure desperation I tried recoding the sound on my phone for you all to hear but of course it came out sounding like a poor guitar solo. (RooooaaaarmiuuuwCrunchooooaaaar).
The car is quite tappety when it manages to idle.. I dunno.. I fed up tbh.. I can't afford to throw more money into her - she's my baby but she's sucking me (wallet) dry..

I've done about 1500km since the clutch was fitted so I'm guessing the problems aren't related.

Oh - could the fact the speed sensor isn't plugged in have anything to with this? Does anybody know where it is? Cause DeClan waters told me to "stop by when it's covenient and they'd plug it in"..Only thing is ..It's never convenient I work in sandyford - and they're in blanch..

Sorry for the lenght - but I'm pretty screwed here... Any thoughts?

[kevinod]

I would definately look into why the idle rpm has changed with the new clutch. I can't see how a new clutch should change the rpm at idle.

Did these guys in Blanchardstown fit it?

That clank/crunch sounds VERY unhealthy, if you can avoid it at all I'd advise you don't drive the car until its sorted. It would probably just make it worse.

How is it running besides?

[Muad_dib77]

Yeah the blanch gang fitted it...

Car is running like it always did other than the clanking this evening.. I'm puzzled...

Does anybody here know how to diagnose something like this..I'm thinking best case scenario is that it's a tappet...Worst case a piston...but if it was a piston I'd be down on power and power seems to be alright..

I'm stumped.

Thank god monday is a bank holiday...

[CJ]

Without hearing or seeing the problem, I can't really offer up any solution apart from get it to someone who knows FTOs (e.g. Paul Nolan), personally, I wouldn't trust Declan Waters to undertake any engine or gearbox work on an FTO.

Oh - could the fact the speed sensor isn't plugged in have anything to with this? Does anybody know where it is? Cause DeClan waters told me to "stop by when it's covenient and they'd plug it in"..Only thing is

Sounds dodgy, are you assuming its a sped sensor problem?

In the absence of a decent mechanic, the first thing I would do is undertake a diagnostic to see if any of the sensors report a problem.

CJ

[kevinod]

When (and why) was the speed sensor disconnected btw?

[Muad_dib77]

I'd love to run a diag..but I don't have the gear.. :-s

Nah..Not assuming it has anything to do with the speed sensor..

was hoping somebody might say "HEY I have that when I unplugged my speed sensor" - but no... I always knew it was a long-shot..

I've come to the conclusion that it must be a tappet gone hay-wire for the reasons that it sounds like a tappet banging away.. and car isn't really down on power..

If it had been a piston - a piston ring - crank - big-end - head gasket - or anything similar power would have been way down..

I checked the oil level before I left the house (in the GFs golf) this morning..and it was a little low - so I'll top it up..(it's under the MIN. mark - so I'm guessing the Declan Waters lads drained it off when the where doing the clucth - cause there are no new spots in the drive and I haven't seen any funny colored puffs of smoke from the xhaust...

Maybe - just maybe the tappets aren't being lubricated and that's what's causing the mad noise..

my fingers are so crossed I'm finding it difficult to type!

I'll still need to clean my steppa-motor though...need to sort out that idling issue.. I'll have a looksie for a guide and give it a twirl on monday...

whoopdie-do for relaxing on the bank-hol-monday...

[Muad_dib77]

When (and why) was the speed sensor disconnected btw?

The Declan Waters lads disconnected it when they were replacing my clutch..

[CJ]

I'd love to run a diag..but I don't have the gear

All you need is a pair of hands and 5cm of wire!

http://www.ftowa.com/html/workshop/workshopart07.html

I checked the oil level before I left the house (in the GFs golf) this morning..and it was a little low - so I'll top it up..(it's under the MIN. mark - so I'm guessing the Declan Waters lads drained it off when the where doing the clucth - cause there are no new spots in the drive and I haven't seen any funny colored puffs of smoke from the xhaust...

This is not good, low oil levels on a MIVEC are bad news, oil starvation can lead to crank or big end bearing failure. Top it up NOW before driving the car anywhere....

CJ

[kevinod]

When (and why) was the speed sensor disconnected btw?

The Declan Waters lads disconnected it when they were replacing my clutch..

I'd get in there and get the speed sensor reattached, might help a lot, I'm guessing it does more than feeds the speed dial in the dash.

[Muad_dib77]

This is not good, low oil levels on a MIVEC are bad news, oil starvation can lead to crank or big end bearing failure. Top it up NOW before driving the car anywhere....

CJ

Ah - it's not like it's empty..it's just low... and it can't have been low for long as I'm quite good at checking the oil level - atleast once a week.. Admittedly I have forgotten to check the level since getting it back from DW.

Car is staying in the drive untill I know she's pukka again..

[Muad_dib77]

When (and why) was the speed sensor disconnected btw?

The Declan Waters lads disconnected it when they were replacing my clutch..

I'd get in there and get the speed sensor reattached, might help a lot, I'm guessing it does more than feeds the speed dial in the dash.

Yeah I kinda feel the same way - but I've been unable to locate it in my manual..Do you know where it is?

[CJ]

Yeah I kinda feel the same way - but I've been unable to locate it in my manual..Do you know where it is?

Its on top of the gearbox, can't remember where exactly on a manual though....

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Yeah I kinda feel the same way - but I've been unable to locate it in my manual..Do you know where it is?

Its on top of the gearbox, can't remember where exactly on a manual though....

CJ

So I'd have to get at it through the cabin..removing the center console right.

[kevinod]

I think its either on the gearbox or the driveshaft, something like that...

[CJ]

So I'd have to get at it through the cabin..removing the center console right.

No, its on top of the gearbox itself, you should be able to see it clearly if you remove the air intake....

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

So I'd have to get at it through the cabin..removing the center console right.

No, its on top of the gearbox itself, you should be able to see it clearly if you remove the air intake....

CJ

Oh right., . gotcha..

cheers!

[kevinod]

I've been looking at the workshop manuals to see if I could find it in there, p 276 of workshop_1.pdf (remind me, is yours a manual?)

and it has it just next to the transmission mount braket. The auto box is in the next section so you can look through there and find it if yours is a tip.

[Muad_dib77]

I've been looking at the workshop manuals to see if I could find it in there, p 276 of workshop_1.pdf (remind me, is yours a manual?)

and it has it just next to the transmission mount braket. The auto box is in the next section so you can look through there and find it if yours is a tip.

Ah nice1 ... thanks bro!!!

Yeah Mines a manual..

[IrishGirl]

I've come to the conclusion that it must be a tappet gone hay-wire for the reasons that it sounds like a tappet banging away.. and car isn't really down on power..

Maybe the mechanic left a bolt or screw or something behind him??

My partner got his clutch changed in his 3000GT and for the 1st while the car was ok, but then you could hear this slight tapping coming from the engine, so he went to a garage to see if they had any idea what the sound might be and they couldnt figure it out, then just as he was pulling out of the garage there was this loud banging noise from the engine. He stopped the car staright away and got it lifted to a garage and it turned out that the mechinac that had fitted the clutch had left a spanner behind him and I cant remember what if fecked up in the engine whether it was a big end or what but it left it that the whole engine needed to be stripped to fix the part that got broke.

If I where you I wouldnt drive my car untill I knew what that tapping was in the engine, last this you want is for something to go bang.

[Muad_dib77]

Uh..that doesn't sound nice at all...

I'm hoping what I'm getting isn't as serious...but if it is..and there's something in there ..I know well who'll pay the repair bill...

[Muad_dib77]

Just a quick update..

I changed the oil (drained what little was left and put on new fresh stuff)..
went for Magnatec the castrol stuff - somebody told me it was good..

I cleaned the stepper motor - seemed to sort the idling problem..

I plugged in the speed sensor - was exactly where CJ said it would be - Thanks bro!

The noise changed - so instead of sounding like a bag of spanners it now simply goes clicketiclick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick so I'm pretty sure I have a tappet problem...

does anybody have a map for Paul Nolan?

any guesses as to whether I should get a replacement tappet - or can they normally be adjusted back in place even in cases like mine?

[kevinod]

any guesses as to whether I should get a replacement tappet - or can they normally be adjusted back in place even in cases like mine?

Glad to see its improved! On the GPX the tappets can be adjusted so I guess try getting them adjusted before getting new ones. A set of 24 for a GR is stg£259 so GPX tappets are prob thereabouts.

[Muad_dib77]

Coolio..

Will call Paul Nolan today..

I so thought that I was going to be on the lookout for a replacement engine for a while.. but hey a little loving goes a longway..
Also gave me an excellent opportunity to check the enigine to any leeks and such - seems to be in good nick..

[CJ]

I plugged in the speed sensor - was exactly where CJ said it would be - Thanks bro!

No bother! Can't understand why they would forget to plug this back in.

does anybody have a map for Paul Nolan?

any guesses as to whether I should get a replacement tappet - or can they normally be adjusted back in place even in cases like mine?

I don't have a map but hes off the Ardlea Road (turn off opposite the Ardlea Inn) which is just off the Artane Roundabout. Tappets are adjustable in the GPX, Paul has done this work for me in the past.

CJ

[Muad_dib77]

Haven't the faintest idea where that is.....But I'm sure that I'll be able to find it if I look at the AA route planner.

Just got off the phone with Mr Paul Nolan...Nice guy! But very busy... He wont have a chance to do anything about anything untill the week of Monday the 15th.