Light maintenance... results??.. not as expected
#17
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
More on Vacuum Leaks I found on the web.. Really interesting...
FINDING & FIXING VACUUM LEAKS
By Larry Carley, Copyright 2000 CarleySoftware.com
Have you ever tried to tune an engine only to find it won’t idle or run right? Or have you ever been confronted with an engine that just doesn’t seem to run right no matter what you’ve done or replaced? You may be dealing with a vacuum leak.
Sometimes a vacuum leak will whistle or hiss and make itself obvious. But oftentimes, it will disguise itself as an ignition or fuel problem that defies diagnosis. Either way, a vacuum leak is bad news because allows "unmetered" air to enter the engine and upset the air/fuel ratio.
So how do you know when a vacuum leak is causing a problem? If the engine is experiencing any of the following symptoms, a vacuum leak is probably responsible:
Too fast an idle speed. If an engine without computerized idle speed control is idling too fast and refuses to come down to a normal idle speed despite your best efforts to back off the idle speed screw or air bypass adjustment screw (fuel injection), air is getting past the throttle somewhere. Common leak paths include the carburetor and throttle body gaskets, carburetor insulator spacers, intake manifold gaskets, and of course, any of the engine’s vacuum fittings, hoses and accessories. It’s even possible that leaky O-rings around the fuel injectors are allowing air to leak past the seals. Another overlooked item can be a worn throttle shaft.
A rough idle or stalling. A performance cam with lots of valve overlap can give an engine a lopping idle, but so can a vacuum leak. A really serious leak can lean the air/fuel mixture out to such an extent that an engine won’t idle at all. An EGR valve that’s stuck open at idle can have the same effect as a vacuum leak. So too can the wrong PCV valve (one that flows too much air for the application), or a loose PCV hose. The rough idle in these cases is caused by "lean misfire." The fuel mixture is too lean to ignite reliably so it often misfires and fails to ignite at all. Lean misfire will show up as elevated hydrocarbon (HC) readings in the exhaust—enough, in fact, to cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Hesitation or misfiring when accelerating. This may be due to a vacuum leak, but it can also be caused by a weak or inoperative accelerator pump in a carburetor, dirty injectors, or even ignition problems such as a cracked coil, worn spark plugs or incorrectly gapped plugs.
An idle mixture that defies adjustment. When setting the idle mixture adjustment screws on a carburetor, the idle speed should start to falter as the adjustment screws are turned in to lean out the mixture. If the screws seem to have little or no effect on idle, you’ve either got a carburetor problem or a vacuum leak.
The important thing to keep in mind about vacuum leaks is that they have the most noticeable effect at idle. At part and full throttle, there’s so much air entering the engine that a little extra air from a vacuum leak has a negligible effect.
Before we get into the various techniques of finding and fixing vacuum leaks, let’s quickly review vacuum’s role in fuel delivery.
WHY VACUUM?
Vacuum exists in the intake manifold as a result of the pumping action of the engine’s pistons and the restriction created by the throttle valve. Were it not for the throttle choking off the flow of air into the engine, there would be little if any vacuum in the intake manifold (like a diesel).
On older carbureted engines, vacuum is needed to pull fuel into the engine. Vacuum siphons fuel through the idle, main metering and power circuits. An engine with a vacuum leak, therefore, will likely be an engine that suffers from the symptoms of lean carburetion such as lean misfire, hesitation, stalling and rough idle. But the same symptoms can also be caused by a clogged catalytic converter or other exhaust restriction, a leaky EGR valve or valve timing problems (all of which reduce intake vacuum).
On most engines, intake vacuum should be steady between 16 and 22 inches. A lower reading usually indicates a vacuum leak, or one of the other problems just mentioned. A reading that gradually drops while the engine is idling almost always points to an exhaust restriction. An oscillating vacuum reading usually indicates a leaky valve or badly worn valve guides.
Fuel injected engines do not require vacuum to siphon fuel into the engine because fuel is sprayed directly into the engine under pressure through the injectors. Even so, vacuum leaks can upset the carefully balanced air/fuel ratio by allowing "unmetered" air to enter the engine. The result is the same kind of driveability symptoms as a vacuum leak on a carbureted engine (lean misfire, hesitation when accelerating, rough idle and possibly even stalling). Common leak points include injector O-rings, intake manifold gaskets, idle air control circuit and the throttle shaft.
Fuel injected engines also rely on intake vacuum to regulate the fuel pressure behind the injectors. Fuel delivery cannot be accurately metered unless a fairly constant pressure differential is maintained. So the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm is connected to a source of intake vacuum. Vacuum working against a spring-loaded diaphragm inside the regulator opens a bypass that shunts fuel back to the tank through a return line. This causes the fuel pressure in the injector rail to rise when engine load increases (and vacuum drops). Thus, the regulator uses vacuum to maintain fuel pressure and the correct air/fuel ratio. A vacuum leak changes the equation by causing a drop in vacuum and a corresponding increase in line pressure.
FINDING LEAKS
Okay, now that we’ve covered what a vacuum leaks do, how do you find them? One way is to visually inspect all the vacuum hoses and connections. Look for disconnected, loose or cracked hoses, broken fittings, etc. Hey, you might get lucky and find the problem in a few minutes—or you might waste half the day trying to find the mysterious air leak. Vacuum leaks are often the elusive needle in a haystack. And if it isn’t a leaky hose but something else such as a gasket, worn throttle shaft, injector O-rings, etc., you may never find it using this technique.
A faster technique for finding vacuum leaks is to get a bottle of propane and attach a length of rubber hose to the gas valve. Open the valve so you have a steady flow of gas. Then hold the hose near suspected leak points while the engine is idling. If there’s a leak, propane will be siphoned in through the leak. The resulting "correction" in the engine’s air/fuel ratio should cause a noticeable change in idle speed and/or smoothness (Note: on engines with computerized idle speed control, disconnect the idle speed control motor first).
Aerosol carburetor cleaner can also be used the same way. But solvent is extremely flammable, so don’t smoke or use it if there are any sparks in the vicinity (arcing plug wires, for example). Spray the solvent on suspected leak points while the engine is idling. If there’s a leak, the solvent will be drawn into the engine and have the same effect as the propane. The idle speed will suddenly change and smooth out.
FINDING LEAKS WITH AN EXHAUST ANALYZER
Propane can also be used in conjunction with an exhaust analyzer (do NOT use carburetor cleaner or you may damage your analyzer!). Vacuum leaks almost always cause fluctuating HC readings, so an infrared exhaust analyzer can (1) tell you if there is indeed a leak, and (2) where the leak is using the propane procedure.
Two types of vacuum leaks can be diagnosed with an analyzer. The first kind is a general vacuum leak (PCV hose, brake booster, etc.) that leans out the mixture and causes a very low CO reading and only a slightly higher fluctuating HC reading. The O2 reading will also be high. The second kind of vacuum leak is a "point" leak that affects only one or two cylinders (a leaky manifold gasket or a crack or porosity leak in one of the manifold runners). This will be indicated by a normal or low CO reading combined with high fluctuating HC readings. O2 will again be high.
To find a leak, feed propane at suspected leak points until you note an improvement in idle quality and/or a change in the HC/CO/O2 readings. When you’ve found the leak, the idle should smooth out, HC and O2 should drop and CO rise.
It’s important to note that an overly lean idle mixture will also cause a fluctuating HC reading the same as a vacuum leak. To tell one from the other, there is a simple "trick" you can use. Momentarily enrich the idle mixture to 1.5 to 2.0% CO by placing a clean shop rag over the top of the carburetor. If the engine smooths out and HC drops and remains stable, the problem is a lean idle mixture adjustment. If HC still fluctuates, however, the engine is still too lean in one or more cylinders indicating a vacuum leak.
ELECTRONIC DETECTION
If you like gadgets, there are electronic tools designed to detect vacuum leaks. Such tools beep or flash when they detect ultrasonic vibrations that are characteristic of a vacuum leak. The tools use a sensitive microphone to listen for certain noise frequencies. Though extremely sensitive, these tools sometimes react to tiny leaks that aren’t really causing a problem, or "false" leaks such as the noise created by arcing inside the distributor cap or normal bearing noise in the alternator.
PRESSURE TECHNIQUES
Another way to find an elusive vacuum leak is to pressurize the intake manifold with about three lbs. of regulated air. This can be done by attaching a regulator to your shop air hose, then attaching the hose to a vacuum fitting or the PCV valve fitting on the intake manifold, carburetor or throttle body. Do not apply too much pressure or you may create new leaks! With the engine off and air flowing into the manifold, spray soapy water on suspected leaks. If you see bubbles, you’ve found the leak.
There’s also one supplier who markets a "harmless smoke" that can be fed into the intake manifold under pressure. The principle is the same as the bubbles. If you see "smoke" seeping from a hose or connection, it signals a leak.
You can also use the opposite technique, which is to apply vacuum with a hand-pump to various vacuum hoses and circuits to see if they hold vacuum. But this technique means tracing the entire circuit to see where it ends, and disconnecting and plugging any parts of the circuit that don’t "dead end" against a diaphragm or valve.
FIXES
Okay, now you’ve found the leak. Here’s some suggestions on how to fix it:
Leaky hoses—Replace them. If the end of a hose is loose or cracked, cutting it off and sticking it back on may temporarily eliminate the leak. But if the hose is rotten or age hardened, it needs to be replaced. Shortening hoses may also create additional problems. The hose may chaff or rub against other components, or pull loose as a result of engine motion and vibration. Use the correct type of replacement hose (PVC hose or vacuum hose capable of withstanding fuel vapors and vacuum without collapsing). Also, be sure the replacement hose is the same diameter and length as the original.
Carburetor or throttle body base gasket leaks—Try tightening down the carburetor or throttle body mounting bolts. If that doesn’t stop the leak, replace the gasket under the carburetor or throttle body. If there’s a heat insulator or adapter plate under the unit, it may also have to be replaced depending on its condition. While the carburetor or throttle body is off, use a straightedge to check the base for flatness (and the manifold, too). Warped surfaces can prevent a tight seal, so if you find any it calls for resurfacing or component replacement.
Carburetor or throttle body throttle shafts—Wear here can only be repaired by resleeving the throttle shaft, which for all practical purposes means replacing the carburetor or throttle body with a new or remanufactured unit.
Intake manifold gaskets -- Try retorquing the intake manifold bolts, working from the center out in the recommended tightening sequence. If that fails, the intake manifold will have to be removed and the intake gaskets replaced. Sometimes the mating surface of the intake manifold or the heads will not be flat (check both with a straightedge). If warped, the intake manifold and/or heads will have to be resurfaced on a milling machine. Another problem to watch out for here are heads that have been milled or resurfaced to raise compression. To maintain proper alignment between the manifold and heads, metal also needs to be machined off the bottom of the manifold where it mates with the block, otherwise it will sit to high and the ports and bolt holes won’t align.
EGR valve leaks—If the valve isn’t closing all the way due to carbon deposits on the stem or valve seat, cleaning may be all that’s needed to cure the problem. Otherwise, your customer will need a new EGR valve.
Leaky power brake booster—Replace it. But first make sure it’s the booster and not just the hose or check valve that’s leaking.
FINDING & FIXING VACUUM LEAKS
By Larry Carley, Copyright 2000 CarleySoftware.com
Have you ever tried to tune an engine only to find it won’t idle or run right? Or have you ever been confronted with an engine that just doesn’t seem to run right no matter what you’ve done or replaced? You may be dealing with a vacuum leak.
Sometimes a vacuum leak will whistle or hiss and make itself obvious. But oftentimes, it will disguise itself as an ignition or fuel problem that defies diagnosis. Either way, a vacuum leak is bad news because allows "unmetered" air to enter the engine and upset the air/fuel ratio.
So how do you know when a vacuum leak is causing a problem? If the engine is experiencing any of the following symptoms, a vacuum leak is probably responsible:
Too fast an idle speed. If an engine without computerized idle speed control is idling too fast and refuses to come down to a normal idle speed despite your best efforts to back off the idle speed screw or air bypass adjustment screw (fuel injection), air is getting past the throttle somewhere. Common leak paths include the carburetor and throttle body gaskets, carburetor insulator spacers, intake manifold gaskets, and of course, any of the engine’s vacuum fittings, hoses and accessories. It’s even possible that leaky O-rings around the fuel injectors are allowing air to leak past the seals. Another overlooked item can be a worn throttle shaft.
A rough idle or stalling. A performance cam with lots of valve overlap can give an engine a lopping idle, but so can a vacuum leak. A really serious leak can lean the air/fuel mixture out to such an extent that an engine won’t idle at all. An EGR valve that’s stuck open at idle can have the same effect as a vacuum leak. So too can the wrong PCV valve (one that flows too much air for the application), or a loose PCV hose. The rough idle in these cases is caused by "lean misfire." The fuel mixture is too lean to ignite reliably so it often misfires and fails to ignite at all. Lean misfire will show up as elevated hydrocarbon (HC) readings in the exhaust—enough, in fact, to cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Hesitation or misfiring when accelerating. This may be due to a vacuum leak, but it can also be caused by a weak or inoperative accelerator pump in a carburetor, dirty injectors, or even ignition problems such as a cracked coil, worn spark plugs or incorrectly gapped plugs.
An idle mixture that defies adjustment. When setting the idle mixture adjustment screws on a carburetor, the idle speed should start to falter as the adjustment screws are turned in to lean out the mixture. If the screws seem to have little or no effect on idle, you’ve either got a carburetor problem or a vacuum leak.
The important thing to keep in mind about vacuum leaks is that they have the most noticeable effect at idle. At part and full throttle, there’s so much air entering the engine that a little extra air from a vacuum leak has a negligible effect.
Before we get into the various techniques of finding and fixing vacuum leaks, let’s quickly review vacuum’s role in fuel delivery.
WHY VACUUM?
Vacuum exists in the intake manifold as a result of the pumping action of the engine’s pistons and the restriction created by the throttle valve. Were it not for the throttle choking off the flow of air into the engine, there would be little if any vacuum in the intake manifold (like a diesel).
On older carbureted engines, vacuum is needed to pull fuel into the engine. Vacuum siphons fuel through the idle, main metering and power circuits. An engine with a vacuum leak, therefore, will likely be an engine that suffers from the symptoms of lean carburetion such as lean misfire, hesitation, stalling and rough idle. But the same symptoms can also be caused by a clogged catalytic converter or other exhaust restriction, a leaky EGR valve or valve timing problems (all of which reduce intake vacuum).
On most engines, intake vacuum should be steady between 16 and 22 inches. A lower reading usually indicates a vacuum leak, or one of the other problems just mentioned. A reading that gradually drops while the engine is idling almost always points to an exhaust restriction. An oscillating vacuum reading usually indicates a leaky valve or badly worn valve guides.
Fuel injected engines do not require vacuum to siphon fuel into the engine because fuel is sprayed directly into the engine under pressure through the injectors. Even so, vacuum leaks can upset the carefully balanced air/fuel ratio by allowing "unmetered" air to enter the engine. The result is the same kind of driveability symptoms as a vacuum leak on a carbureted engine (lean misfire, hesitation when accelerating, rough idle and possibly even stalling). Common leak points include injector O-rings, intake manifold gaskets, idle air control circuit and the throttle shaft.
Fuel injected engines also rely on intake vacuum to regulate the fuel pressure behind the injectors. Fuel delivery cannot be accurately metered unless a fairly constant pressure differential is maintained. So the fuel pressure regulator diaphragm is connected to a source of intake vacuum. Vacuum working against a spring-loaded diaphragm inside the regulator opens a bypass that shunts fuel back to the tank through a return line. This causes the fuel pressure in the injector rail to rise when engine load increases (and vacuum drops). Thus, the regulator uses vacuum to maintain fuel pressure and the correct air/fuel ratio. A vacuum leak changes the equation by causing a drop in vacuum and a corresponding increase in line pressure.
FINDING LEAKS
Okay, now that we’ve covered what a vacuum leaks do, how do you find them? One way is to visually inspect all the vacuum hoses and connections. Look for disconnected, loose or cracked hoses, broken fittings, etc. Hey, you might get lucky and find the problem in a few minutes—or you might waste half the day trying to find the mysterious air leak. Vacuum leaks are often the elusive needle in a haystack. And if it isn’t a leaky hose but something else such as a gasket, worn throttle shaft, injector O-rings, etc., you may never find it using this technique.
A faster technique for finding vacuum leaks is to get a bottle of propane and attach a length of rubber hose to the gas valve. Open the valve so you have a steady flow of gas. Then hold the hose near suspected leak points while the engine is idling. If there’s a leak, propane will be siphoned in through the leak. The resulting "correction" in the engine’s air/fuel ratio should cause a noticeable change in idle speed and/or smoothness (Note: on engines with computerized idle speed control, disconnect the idle speed control motor first).
Aerosol carburetor cleaner can also be used the same way. But solvent is extremely flammable, so don’t smoke or use it if there are any sparks in the vicinity (arcing plug wires, for example). Spray the solvent on suspected leak points while the engine is idling. If there’s a leak, the solvent will be drawn into the engine and have the same effect as the propane. The idle speed will suddenly change and smooth out.
FINDING LEAKS WITH AN EXHAUST ANALYZER
Propane can also be used in conjunction with an exhaust analyzer (do NOT use carburetor cleaner or you may damage your analyzer!). Vacuum leaks almost always cause fluctuating HC readings, so an infrared exhaust analyzer can (1) tell you if there is indeed a leak, and (2) where the leak is using the propane procedure.
Two types of vacuum leaks can be diagnosed with an analyzer. The first kind is a general vacuum leak (PCV hose, brake booster, etc.) that leans out the mixture and causes a very low CO reading and only a slightly higher fluctuating HC reading. The O2 reading will also be high. The second kind of vacuum leak is a "point" leak that affects only one or two cylinders (a leaky manifold gasket or a crack or porosity leak in one of the manifold runners). This will be indicated by a normal or low CO reading combined with high fluctuating HC readings. O2 will again be high.
To find a leak, feed propane at suspected leak points until you note an improvement in idle quality and/or a change in the HC/CO/O2 readings. When you’ve found the leak, the idle should smooth out, HC and O2 should drop and CO rise.
It’s important to note that an overly lean idle mixture will also cause a fluctuating HC reading the same as a vacuum leak. To tell one from the other, there is a simple "trick" you can use. Momentarily enrich the idle mixture to 1.5 to 2.0% CO by placing a clean shop rag over the top of the carburetor. If the engine smooths out and HC drops and remains stable, the problem is a lean idle mixture adjustment. If HC still fluctuates, however, the engine is still too lean in one or more cylinders indicating a vacuum leak.
ELECTRONIC DETECTION
If you like gadgets, there are electronic tools designed to detect vacuum leaks. Such tools beep or flash when they detect ultrasonic vibrations that are characteristic of a vacuum leak. The tools use a sensitive microphone to listen for certain noise frequencies. Though extremely sensitive, these tools sometimes react to tiny leaks that aren’t really causing a problem, or "false" leaks such as the noise created by arcing inside the distributor cap or normal bearing noise in the alternator.
PRESSURE TECHNIQUES
Another way to find an elusive vacuum leak is to pressurize the intake manifold with about three lbs. of regulated air. This can be done by attaching a regulator to your shop air hose, then attaching the hose to a vacuum fitting or the PCV valve fitting on the intake manifold, carburetor or throttle body. Do not apply too much pressure or you may create new leaks! With the engine off and air flowing into the manifold, spray soapy water on suspected leaks. If you see bubbles, you’ve found the leak.
There’s also one supplier who markets a "harmless smoke" that can be fed into the intake manifold under pressure. The principle is the same as the bubbles. If you see "smoke" seeping from a hose or connection, it signals a leak.
You can also use the opposite technique, which is to apply vacuum with a hand-pump to various vacuum hoses and circuits to see if they hold vacuum. But this technique means tracing the entire circuit to see where it ends, and disconnecting and plugging any parts of the circuit that don’t "dead end" against a diaphragm or valve.
FIXES
Okay, now you’ve found the leak. Here’s some suggestions on how to fix it:
Leaky hoses—Replace them. If the end of a hose is loose or cracked, cutting it off and sticking it back on may temporarily eliminate the leak. But if the hose is rotten or age hardened, it needs to be replaced. Shortening hoses may also create additional problems. The hose may chaff or rub against other components, or pull loose as a result of engine motion and vibration. Use the correct type of replacement hose (PVC hose or vacuum hose capable of withstanding fuel vapors and vacuum without collapsing). Also, be sure the replacement hose is the same diameter and length as the original.
Carburetor or throttle body base gasket leaks—Try tightening down the carburetor or throttle body mounting bolts. If that doesn’t stop the leak, replace the gasket under the carburetor or throttle body. If there’s a heat insulator or adapter plate under the unit, it may also have to be replaced depending on its condition. While the carburetor or throttle body is off, use a straightedge to check the base for flatness (and the manifold, too). Warped surfaces can prevent a tight seal, so if you find any it calls for resurfacing or component replacement.
Carburetor or throttle body throttle shafts—Wear here can only be repaired by resleeving the throttle shaft, which for all practical purposes means replacing the carburetor or throttle body with a new or remanufactured unit.
Intake manifold gaskets -- Try retorquing the intake manifold bolts, working from the center out in the recommended tightening sequence. If that fails, the intake manifold will have to be removed and the intake gaskets replaced. Sometimes the mating surface of the intake manifold or the heads will not be flat (check both with a straightedge). If warped, the intake manifold and/or heads will have to be resurfaced on a milling machine. Another problem to watch out for here are heads that have been milled or resurfaced to raise compression. To maintain proper alignment between the manifold and heads, metal also needs to be machined off the bottom of the manifold where it mates with the block, otherwise it will sit to high and the ports and bolt holes won’t align.
EGR valve leaks—If the valve isn’t closing all the way due to carbon deposits on the stem or valve seat, cleaning may be all that’s needed to cure the problem. Otherwise, your customer will need a new EGR valve.
Leaky power brake booster—Replace it. But first make sure it’s the booster and not just the hose or check valve that’s leaking.
#18
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by RS man
J-P,
Is it anything to do with the fact that the RS automatically increases the idle revs when the voltage is low in the battery?
Harry
Is it anything to do with the fact that the RS automatically increases the idle revs when the voltage is low in the battery?
Harry
#20
Burning Brakes
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Monique
A difficult question to answer I know,( it's very subjective )
How noisy are your hydraulic lifters ? My car has just been fixed by an "RS specialist" at a cost of 7500 Euros They found, 3 very slightly bent valves one with 2 or 3 small crescent shaped marks where the hydraulic lifter bears on the end of the valve stem ( a sure sign the engine has been over revved apparently) and one rocker arm that was different in weight and design to all the others, when they stripped it down. I had already replaced 3 hydraulic lifters on the LH exhaust valves in an attempt to rectify what I thought was( and sounded like a collapsed lifter) they subsequently replaced the lifters on the inlet valves on the same bank and also fitted new exhaust valve guides. After all the above work, the engine still has what sounds like a noisy lifter on the NS bank when it is hot The noise is intermittent at 2500-3000rpm and can be heard from inside the car if you are focused on it, which I now am!! and also can be heard with the window down, especially if you are driving alongside anything that can bounce the noise back in the cars direction. I took my car back to the "specialist" last Tuesday and they tried to tell me "they all do that" They did demonstrate another RS to me, and it did have a very slight ie much quieter version of my rattle. Iv'e rung them today to be told they haven't touched it yet because theyr'e working on cars that have been previously booked in!! WTF
I just wondered if your car sounds as noisy as mine did, I think mine was pretty bad cause I was worried about it dropping a valve when I revved it hard, hence the top end rebuild.
I know you engine has done a lot less mileage than mine( 58000 ), so was surprised you to hear you say you are are pulling it to address lifter problems .
A difficult question to answer I know,( it's very subjective )
How noisy are your hydraulic lifters ? My car has just been fixed by an "RS specialist" at a cost of 7500 Euros They found, 3 very slightly bent valves one with 2 or 3 small crescent shaped marks where the hydraulic lifter bears on the end of the valve stem ( a sure sign the engine has been over revved apparently) and one rocker arm that was different in weight and design to all the others, when they stripped it down. I had already replaced 3 hydraulic lifters on the LH exhaust valves in an attempt to rectify what I thought was( and sounded like a collapsed lifter) they subsequently replaced the lifters on the inlet valves on the same bank and also fitted new exhaust valve guides. After all the above work, the engine still has what sounds like a noisy lifter on the NS bank when it is hot The noise is intermittent at 2500-3000rpm and can be heard from inside the car if you are focused on it, which I now am!! and also can be heard with the window down, especially if you are driving alongside anything that can bounce the noise back in the cars direction. I took my car back to the "specialist" last Tuesday and they tried to tell me "they all do that" They did demonstrate another RS to me, and it did have a very slight ie much quieter version of my rattle. Iv'e rung them today to be told they haven't touched it yet because theyr'e working on cars that have been previously booked in!! WTF
I just wondered if your car sounds as noisy as mine did, I think mine was pretty bad cause I was worried about it dropping a valve when I revved it hard, hence the top end rebuild.
I know you engine has done a lot less mileage than mine( 58000 ), so was surprised you to hear you say you are are pulling it to address lifter problems .
#21
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hello Atgani,
I had one noisy lifter. Did it for 5 minutes and has disappeared since. Comes from the lower left bank.
It will be one of my investigations next winter. I plan an engine out anyway. Will involve inspection, removal and replacement of whatever is not in top condition. I did most of my engine work when I raced a Cooper S in the late...60's. Unless I require machine shop expertise, no one will ever do maintenance on my car. Alignments excluded.
So far, there is no evidence of overrev on my motor.. although my brother missed a shift to 6th (got 4th) last week and my heart nearly stopped.
Reached 7K! Just a tad above the red line. Luckily not above.
I had one noisy lifter. Did it for 5 minutes and has disappeared since. Comes from the lower left bank.
It will be one of my investigations next winter. I plan an engine out anyway. Will involve inspection, removal and replacement of whatever is not in top condition. I did most of my engine work when I raced a Cooper S in the late...60's. Unless I require machine shop expertise, no one will ever do maintenance on my car. Alignments excluded.
So far, there is no evidence of overrev on my motor.. although my brother missed a shift to 6th (got 4th) last week and my heart nearly stopped.
![banghead](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/banghead.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
#22
Skippy
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So far, there is no evidence of overrev on my motor.. although my brother missed a shift to 6th (got 4th) last week and my heart nearly stopped
![cherrsagai](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/drink.gif)
#23
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
JP,
if you like, keep me advise on the date you'll start your work, I'll try to arrange my days off to be there holding the candle and drinking beer while you'll be busy
if you like, keep me advise on the date you'll start your work, I'll try to arrange my days off to be there holding the candle and drinking beer while you'll be busy
![Stick Out Tongue](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
#25
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: In the pasture.
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
JP My car has a slight roughness at idle as well. My mechanic said it is common to almost all 993s. It is not real bad, just feels like it misses on every other cycle. If that is all you have it could be normal operation.
#26
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I also have a slightly rough idle without AC on. I had it checked out by three mechanics and it has been happening for 15k miles atleast. The dealer said it could be a very slightly out of balance DMF.
#27
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks Randy,
Given that Toga's car is smooth as silk after his work last winter, I aspire to the same.
One aspect I will check is the part numbers on the camshafts... IMO, these aren't the kosher "off the assembly line" component. Cam timing will be done then too.
Given that Toga's car is smooth as silk after his work last winter, I aspire to the same.
One aspect I will check is the part numbers on the camshafts... IMO, these aren't the kosher "off the assembly line" component. Cam timing will be done then too.
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#28
Rennlist Member
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by TrackJunke
I also have a slightly rough idle without AC on. I had it checked out by three mechanics and it has been happening for 15k miles atleast. The dealer said it could be a very slightly out of balance DMF.
#29
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: In the pasture.
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Interesting about the DMF. Did it idle a bit rough prior to the recent work? Terry, does your car idle smoothly now.
JP did Toga's change? Was that a result of the new FW?
JP did Toga's change? Was that a result of the new FW?
#30
Rennlist Member
![](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/ranks/veteran_army.png)
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by paradisenb
Interesting about the DMF. Did it idle a bit rough prior to the recent work? Terry, does your car idle smoothly now.