help diagnosing this one!

[clivvy]

sorry guys, this is an awkward one! Im trying to diagnose an issue, but its difficult to describe and it only occurs under certain conditions.

ok, essentially the problem is what seems to be "cabin noise" when I am in a high gear at low revs. So for example if I am travelling at 20 mph, and change to third, but my revs are at around 1500-2k, its as if the engine is struggling noise-wise, but power is there.

I tried to do a video last night, it almost sounds like there is a vibration somewhere on the nearside (my flexipipe needs replacing as its blowing). This issue doesn't occur at all if I drive properly, i.e. 20 mph change to third but at a higher revs to get me upwards 30mph plus. If I drive normally, it seems ok.

there isn't any vibration in the steering, just the usual cabin vibrations which of course lessen as the car warms up (which is pretty quick now), its hard to describe the noise though - its like when your engine is totally cold and you start it up and everything vibrates/noise and your ears start to get blocked!!

totally crappy diagnosis I know, but I am hoping you guys can throw some ideas my way. As a brief history, I have had the car about 2 month, changed the oil and coolant, new fuel filter and air filter. It drives great, engine idles sweet and feels to be power there, no smoke out the back. It has new tyres all round, wheels are balanced and brakes are good. it was one or two owners before me (registered as one on the log book) but no real history other than MOT on line and clearly its been looked after. work wise I can see it has had new rubber fuel pipes both ways, I had to repair the main pipe as it was leaking, but the issue was happening before this
(when I test drove it, I figured it was me not driving properly because if I changed gear at the right intervals it seemed a lot better).

any ideas? I just feel that even if I am driving it wrong (got very used to my Fiat Stilo since I scrapped my Maverick), I should be abel to be in a high gear at low speeds without feeling like my head is about to implode...!

 

[makeitfit]

I think you've answered your own issue
Stop driving it like a taxi :lol
There's no benefit in a laboured engine !

 

[rustic]

It seems that there has been quite a few threads on this recently from quite a few members, I haven't noticed which region the members are from.

If this is the case, then have people been influenced by other posts, like "ask the audience" or is there something in common?

The only thing that can affect people from all over the country or even regionally is fuel.:nenau

What fuel are we using?
Which supplier?
Which region?

I just wonder if there is a connection, has the fuel formulation been affected, winter additives, more bio added ?:nenau

Following on from these threads, I too have noticed some vibration if in too low a gear, never bothered me before. :doh I have recently changed my fuel supplier from Tesco to Jet, as there is a 4-5 p per litre saving.

Our Tesco diesel come from Kingsbury in the West Midlands, which is piped underground from Milford Haven, South Wales, Usually the Jet fuel is from Kingsbury too, but additives are different even though the basic fuel is the same.

For the first time ever, I have added about 250- 300ml of two stroke oil to half a tank of diesel fuel, only did this at the weekend so too early to tell if it makes a difference.:nenau

So is there a connection?:nenau

Just a thought!

Rustic

 

[panelbeater]

i too put 2 stroke oil in with my wvo/petrol/derv mix.
i too had to get used from a sporty car to t2 traits and noticed the noise but just change gear faster to stop it,though a 2.7td to a 1.9 td i would have thought it would not occur but then the t2 is nearly twice the weight of the zx.
i also have to remember when overtaking to allow the slowness of t2 compared to zx.
like learning to drive again.i did get it for a tow car though.

 

[Fez_uk]

mine makes the same noise

 

[clivvy]

I don't think its fuel, but an interesting idea so ill have a think about that one.

the thing is, sometimes you cant help but be in, for example, third gear at a low speed at low revs - its when this occurs that the cabin noise is very deep and loud - very much like the engine is under a lot of load-but it isn't. There is also an external raspy vibration too, that could be the exhaust im not 100% certain, but it could also be that exhaust blowing that's causing the issue, like when you have a hole in the exhaust the noise is a lot worse and vibration is a lot worse when you are at slow speeds.....? it does SEEm to be coming from that side of the vehicle, and the flexi pipe (where it is blowing) is pretty much under the passenger footwell, could a blowing flexipipe really cause this sort of vibration/noise?

 

[elty001]

I suffered a noise/vibration you describe and mines an auto.
it turned out to be blowing on the exhaust on the front flexi to turbo joint.
as its under a heat shield you cant see any evidence until you remove it.
new gasket ordered from milners for about 3 quid.

 

[firebobby]

These will vibrate if you labour the engine in too low a gear, my 2.7 was worse than the 3.0, but even that will do it.
I just drive mine and if it labours, it means I'm not in the right gear

 

[makeitfit]

These will vibrate if you labour the engine in too low a gear, my 2.7 was worse than the 3.0, but even that will do it.
I just drive mine and if it labours, it means I'm not in the right gear

Correct :thumb2
There's no benefit labouring a torquey diesel lump. Just run a few more revs in the next gear. Efficient at 1800 , damaging stuff at 1200.
Lateral thinking suggests to me you change your tyres for ones a tad bigger and that'll sort your gearing and stop you labouring in too high a gear (or is it low :nenau):naughty

 

[clivvy]

hmm..maybe that it then? maybe I've just forgotten how to drive these?

I definitely have the blowing from the exhaust which will add to it, and im sure something else is vibrating too but the main issue is probably me!

 

[stevo]

I'm the same - I do tend to labour it a bit, coming from a 2.5 5 cylinder Volvo, which would take 3rd at 20mph......

This heavy 3.0 lump won't do it, but 2nd seems too revvy....

 

[clivvy]

I'm the same - I do tend to labour it a bit, coming from a 2.5 5 cylinder Volvo, which would take 3rd at 20mph......

This heavy 3.0 lump won't do it, but 2nd seems too revvy....

yh that's the problem. you drop back to 2nd, then its too revvy (or seems it)..I used to drive my old Maverick SWb just fine!!

 

[stevo]

yh that's the problem. you drop back to 2nd, then its too revvy (or seems it)..I used to drive my old Maverick SWb just fine!!

I must change my driving style - I tend to try and keep it under 2k revs, as I don't like going to the petrol station

Mine has got rattlier since I got it, and I suspect my driving is to blame :doh

 

[clivvy]

well, this is the thing. When I got my first Maverick about 5 year ago I had to learn how to drive it properly, but since getting this one after less than a year without one, I figured I still knew. I think im just expecting it to be a bit less vibraty and noisy!:nenau

 

[trophymick]

well, this is the thing. When I got my first Maverick about 5 year ago I had to learn how to drive it properly, but since getting this one after less than a year without one, I figured I still knew. I think im just expecting it to be a bit less vibraty and noisy!:nenau

That could be it Clivvy, especially after driving a car for a few months.

Plus Terrano speedo's are not the most reliable or accurate, I find the rev counter is best.:thumbs
Set yourself a minimum number of revs for each gear, keep it simple.

 

[makeitfit]

Also remember that at 1800 rpm the turbo should just about be coming on boost, probably more like 2000. So if you're in and out of that power band you'll be just dropping off turbo and then the old T2 really is old

 

[clivvy]

ok guys, apart from whatever actually is vibrating, I think the bulk of the noise etc is me driving, makes sense. Im back to driving it again tomorrow and hopefully for the rest of the week so will start using my right foot properly!

also, does anyone else find the LWB drives and sounds quite different to the SWB? Mine does sound and feel like Jims does (Jims-Terrano) I had a go of his a few years back.

 

[macabethiel]

Front flexi-pipe sounds

I would fix the front flexi pipe blow first as it could be linked to this fault. If gases are leaking out this may vary in sound due to the movement of the pipe by engine torque if you get my drift. Also gas flow rate will have an effect on the tone / pitch on the place where gases are leaking.

Our old r3mR sounded "odd for a few weeks before the flexi-pipe blew big time and I got a new one fitted at place that made my S.S. System.

It was like a super quiet vehicle when we picked it up from repairers.

 

[swaggy]

Mine is the same. Cabin vibration, seems to be coming from everywhere. Always happens at 1500 rpm if I let the T2 labour - whichever gear I'm in but mostly 3/4/5. The old girl just does not like being worked that low. As soon as it starts, I drop down a gear to keep the revs at or over 2k - she's well happy then.

I've put it down to having to modify my driving style. A 2.7L, 4 pot diesel lump is just not as smooth as a smaller displacement engine. With the right revs tho she will tow a block of flats without breaking sweat. :thumbs

 

[clivvy]

I would fix the front flexi pipe blow first as it could be linked to this fault. If gases are leaking out this may vary in sound due to the movement of the pipe by engine torque if you get my drift. Also gas flow rate will have an effect on the tone / pitch on the place where gases are leaking.

Our old r3mR sounded "odd for a few weeks before the flexi-pipe blew big time and I got a new one fitted at place that made my S.S. System.

It was like a super quiet vehicle when we picked it up from repairers.

yh you are right, im sure it will be contributing