Maserati tractor !

[JAGPURR]

Hi all,

Comming home last night developed a distinctly agricultural noise form my car. Backed into garage noise stopped? Could only get a trace if blipping throttle hard. Anyway got under this morning hoping to find something loose to no avail. Started her up and she was quiet as a mouse . Drove away no noise , puzzled. Just started to thing I was imagining it all when lo and behold the tractor returned. It got louder and attracted very embarassing attention, literally sounded like my exhaust had fallen off. About turn home. got into garage now noise there all time even on tickover. sounde like something is very loose in the engine bay although car drives fine? Don't think its drive chain related as in gear or out of gear , moving or not makes no difference. Came here for a quick check to see if any similar problems reported. Anyway having a cuppa and will do some further checks if I find the cause I'll let you know. Don't fancy removing the Maserati badge and fitting a Massy-Ferguson one just to avoid the looks!
Keith

 

[lozcb]

Hi Keith , one or two guys in the states reported similar noises which turned out to be the heat protective shields working loose and rubbing on the exhaust , hopefully its something as simple as that


regards loz

 

[Andyk]

Yep had that on mine and it was as Loz reports...which was an easy fix...Thank God.

 

[cowsurgeon]

You can get a replacement heatshield for not very much here

 

[Emtee]

Priceless Chris.

 

[JAGPURR]

You can get a replacement heatshield for not very much here[/QUOT

Thanks for that Chris, Won't order one just yet. Pleriminary checks show no loose heat shields and the noise seems to point towards the bell housing, sounds like something rotating hitting something stationary. The thing is, this is where the clutch lives and it is only 3k miles old together with the bearing and clutch sensor so am a little worried. Like I said there dosen't appear to be any driving issues so far but the noise is bad enough to put the car in dock. I will have to look closer when I have time and report. In the mean time has any one out there any ideas appart from a visit to the dealers ( a long way away ) also if it is from the bell housing am I correct in thinking that I could remove the prop shaft / tube and the clutch cover / bell housing and as long as Im not fitting a new clutch won't require any computer when reassembling?
Thanks for any input even light hearted ones.
keith'
ps is it posssible to upload and post a sound file so you all could listen?

 

[Emtee]

Hi Keith, Sorry to hear that this may be something more worrying than the heat shields. I must admit I'm not certain whether you can upload sound files directly into the forum, as I've never tried it, but as an alternative (assuming you'll use a video camera / phone?) you could upload to youtube and link over to it on here?

 

[conaero]

Starter motor not disengaging? Worth a look as i know this will eventually cause a fire.

Here are some pics of my clutch inerds, you might be able to work it out:

Bellhouse bearing rear




Clutch thrust bearing

 

[JAGPURR]

Hi Conaero,
Thanks for that, the pics do help. I can't see what would cause the noise appart from a loose bolt or broken spring, if indeed it is from the clutch or any of its associated bits. I will. as you suggest, remove the starter motor and give it a good dose of looking at. As the noise could indeed be the teeth rattling arround against the starter ring. I will of course take some pics for the forum as at first glance it looks a bit of a chore to get out, but far easier than the clutch I'm sure.
Keith

 

[conaero]

Surely if it turns out to be the clutch, you can get it redone by the garage who did it. 3k mile is not on. You can always quote them the sale of goods act for EU which states all things sold within the EU must come with a 24 month warranty.

We look forward to your pictorial...oh, I made a request for a how to remove the rear quarter trim, the one with the speaking in it, but I guess you are already busy!

Good luck.

 

[lozcb]

Any news on this at all Keith , interested to hear the outcome


regards loz

 

[JAGPURR]

Hi All,

Thanks for being patient.
Unfortunatly I still need to work for a living so had to sort it out over a few evenings. Turned out Conaero was spot on, Thanks for that!, the starter motor grease was all dried out and the drive not fully returning, so bouncing about on the fly weel ring hence the sound of a very expensive bag of hammers. Getting to it however was a major task, believe me you 3200 boys have it easy! Had to remove loads of bits including the Cats, Exhaust manifolds, Engine heat cowling before I even seen the blighter! Serviced the starter and replaced. ( new starter £375 service the old one £15 no contest! ) Will give you all the details and I will divide into individual tasks for the forum when I get a chance. Any way my baby is purring again and I'm a happy chappy. Would love to know what a dealer charges to replace the starter on a 4200, has anyone had a quote? If no body has removed the rear side trim for you yet Conaero, I'll be happy to oblige as a thankyou. any particular side ?
Regards
keith

 

[conaero]

Keith, you did well, and am pleased that some of my theories arnt just hot air!

Believe me, I have seen the effects of a stuck/engaged starter motor on English Mobile Mechanics on Sky. It spins the motor, builds up massive heat, then sets the whole car on fire!

Keith, you dont happen to know what size the rear shelf speakers are do you?

 

[stylo]

Hi guys, not wanting to take this too O/T but there was mention of the heat shields further up in this thread which got me thinking... I was going to suggest that as a possible problem but my experience (current issue) of them is that at about 1200 rpm there is a rattle noise. Faster acceleration through this rev range then you don't hear it but moving in slow traffic, parking etc it is a bit annoying.

Anyway - didn't seem to fit with the symptoms experienced so didn't introduce that earlier. BUT, reason for posting on it now is that I saw there was mention of it being an easy fix - I've been quoted c£1K (indie) for resolving this, sounds like not such an easy fix. Anyone have any pointers for things I can check to be sure it is the heat shield and if so, whether this is a DIY job for someone whose only car maintenance experience so far is fitting a towbar and electrics into a Renault Espace

Thanks
Adam

 

[conaero]

Adam, in my experiences, anything accessed from the underside of the car is never easy. Sorry I can help further.

 

[lozcb]

I should imagine if you had to replace every single heat shield that it wouldn,t exceed £200 , they are only flimsy alluminium , and the locating screws can wear through rendering it subject to vibration , usually sorted with a larger washer , its as easy as that once you have located which shield is vibrating interested as to what indie quoted you that kind of figure ,

regards loz

 

[stylo]

OK thanks - if I put up on a ramp should I be able to diagnose further? or are things more hidden away than that?

 

[JAGPURR]

Hi Stylo,

If we are talking 4200 here then having spent the last week on my back looking up maybe I can point you to a possible cause. There are lots of flimsy aluminium heat shields scattered arount the car but unless very loose and actually rubbing against something I don't think they would cause a great deal of noise. If you look at the bottom of the engine you will see a silver steel cowl that completely covers the sump and extends up the side of the engine behind the exhaust manifolds. This only needs to be slightly loose to rattle loudly against the manifolds. There are only fixing bolts at the bottom 4 off. It relies on these being tight and the cowling not being out of shape to give it it's clearence. If you extend your hand up the side of the engine and vibrate the cowl you will see if it is too close to the manifold and rattles against them, carefull if still hot! The noise can be quite loud as its akin to a steel drum striking hollow pipes. If so check the bolts are tight and if nessesary you might have to do a bit of leavering to get it away from the manifolds, don't overdo it as you may cause it to hit the engine side instead. Hope this helps you find the cause of your low engine speed rattle.

Keith

 

[stylo]

OK thanks, will put it up on the ramps at the weekend and take a look underneath - either that or will ask nicely at the local quick fit when they are quiet and borrow their lift.