Advice sought - couple of issues

Dave B

Dave B

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Hi guys,

Just put my CSi back on the road after winter hibernation. Checked all fluids etc and went for a drive today with the other guys from our local classic car club. I will post some pics and see if you can identify all the old Brits!

Problem 1 - I noticed quite a distinct ticking / clicking sort of sound. Not quite tappet sort of noice. Hear it when accelerating. it speeds up as the revs do. I am thinking it may be air, from the exhaust manifold or perhaps a plug not tight enough?

Problem 2 - car will not rev beyong 4000rpm. 2nd gear pulls away to just under 4000rpm then wont go any further, feels like it is misfiring after that. Change up to 3rd gear, goes to same revs, then same again.

I am not (as most of you are already aware) very mechanically minded and would welcome any ideas / tips / suggestions you can give me.

Malc - are you in the country at the moment? I know you like a challenge! :oops:
 
Dave B said:
Just put my CSi back on the road after winter hibernation. Problem 1 - I noticed quite a distinct ticking / clicking sort of sound. Not quite tappet sort of noice. Hear it when accelerating. it speeds up as the revs do. I am thinking it may be air, from the exhaust manifold or perhaps a plug not tight enough?
Problem 2 - car will not rev beyong 4000rpm. 2nd gear pulls away to just under 4000rpm then wont go any further, feels like it is misfiring after that. Change up to 3rd gear, goes to same revs, then same again.
Click to expand...

You really haven't given all that information. You mention "ticking" that picks up with engine speed. The one thing that might be helpful is whether the engine is running smoothly or roughly.

If the engine is running roughly or let us say not that smoothly, could it be you are hearing electrical arcing? Plug wire undone or shorting somewhere other than directly to one or more of your plugs? IF, this were the case, and you were really only running on 5 or less cylinders, it might also explain your present inability to rev past 4000. Frankly, because your description of the sound is so non-specific, you could have a mechanical issue, but I doubt it.

As additional "shots in the dark": You have wires to each fuel injector, if a wire is loose, this would result in a dead cylinder and a low performing engine. I guess an injector could make a ticking sound, but I can't recall hearing one that is very loud. Again, I would check ignition wires, (maybe one or two are loose where they connect at the distributor cap). I would also look under the cap, could it be that the rotor has an integrated rev limiter that has a bit of corrosion on it?

Unrelated, and in addition to your ideas of an exhaust leak of a leaky plug, your ticking could be as simple as a piece of tape or a Marks&Spenser bag flapping about the cooling fan or alternator.:idea:

Now, if your engine is idling smoothly and running up to 4000 rpm smoothly the ticking is probably unrelated. Is the ticking more like a banging? You didn't run over an out of place Beefeater, who is stuck under the bonnet?:wink:

If all else fails, I understand there may be a decent mechanic at Balmoral castle, but you might want to phone ahead! :wink:
 
issues

Bengal,

Thanks for your reply. I will check the things you suggest. I do know its not a Marks and Spencer bag, or a Beefeater ( am about 400 miles too far north for them! )

Other than that will take someone with more knowledge than me.

Last summer, the plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm, condenser, oil, and filters were all changed at Chateau Malc - a place a bit like Balmoral but with a better view...
 
Hello Dave...

I think if you can hear a "ticking" at road speed, it won't be electrical. My suggestion is to run the motor at idle, and listen/feel at the exhaust ports where the exhaust header is bolted to the cylinder head. My guess is that one of your exhaust manifold gaskets has quit.

A loose spark plug would not make any sound until it completely blew out. At that point there would be no doubt whatsoever as to where the noise was coming from - !

As for the imposed 4000 rpm limit, suggest consider when the fuel filter was last changed. Perhaps as a partial result of sitting for a period of time, the filter may be partially blocked, and restricted fuel delivery would cause your described problem. The manuals have a specification for fuel delivery rate, but having carbs, I'm not familiar with it.
 
Thanks Honolulu

Thanks Honolulu,

I was thinking about the exhaust manifold for the ticking sort of noise. It certainly does not sound mechanical.

Fuel filter was changed last summer ( if I recall correctly !? ) but will check all wiring / leads / and see if I can also get someone to check out fuel lines / filter and fuel pump.

The joys of running possibly the only road going e9 in Scotland - until Malc's dear old bucket hits the streets!! Speaking of Malc, where are you fella when a near neighbour (well, 40 miles ) needs a BMW guru? :lol:
 
Hi Malc

I got your email and have sent you a reply. Shed day would be good. Still got to replace a wiper motor and a set of brake pads.

I am now back working shifts in Dundee, but I would be more than willing to come up if that is ok with you. You are most welcome to pop down, especially if you are going to be in this area at all. Only snag with here might be that I dont have the range of tools, air, meters etc that you have at your disposal.
 
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