Gabor

http://youtu.be/GRMP-M-gw8Y

http://youtu.be/TL_kSzZH6eU

What do you guys think? I'm devastated. More audible when i press the clutch. Can't hear it from the outside only in the inside. I noticed it first about a month ago (when i had the hard top on) and now when i put the hard top on again. There has been a lot of vteccing since then and i don't think it got any worse. Only starts at 2k rpm and more audible under load (when it's revving upwards)

MB

Difficult to say but have you checked for exhuast heatshield rattle?

Gabor

heatshield seems ok

despite changing and topping up the oil a month ago (and checking it 2 weeks ago). The oil level was now very low. The noise is there when it's cold, continues above 2k rpm and is definitely louder when the clutch is pressed in. i have a bad feeling about it guys it's still not audible from outside though.

i'll try and drive it to my mechanic where we can check if there is a play at the crank shaft. probably re-build time?

MB

Rebuilding isn't easy on these...

Gabor

My plan:

1. Take it to a mechanic, let him hear it first
2. Take down the bottom and see if there is any play at the crankshaft / assess the damage
3. Hopefully only change the bearings, if not new rods and crankshaft? What is the worst case scenario here?
4. Put it back together

I have a budget of £1000 for this adventure. Would this normally be enough if there is no serious damage to the internals?


Any advice is greatly appreciated as I'm very inexperienced in this. In the mean time I'm digging deep in older threads/forums.

MB

Assuming there is an engine issue, the crank is very strong and normally ok. Issue would be if you had cylinder damage. The FRM liners are a specialist job to fix and i don't think anyone has tried it yet the UK.

Joeh

It's hard to diagnose from a video

Where are you based?

Wouldn't be advisable to drive in its current state as you could do more damage

Gabor

Thanks guys for all the input, any additional opinion is appreciated! I'm in Bristol.

CHIPPO

Sorry to say but over the years I have had 2 engines with that very noise , one was big ends on a new car that had to have a new engine at 2k miles , the other was an old car at 89k that had to have mains and big ends replaced.

But here wit the the F20c , would be nice to see one rebuilt or at least a partial re-build of the bottom end. I wonder what caused the bearing failure ? assuming thats what it is.

Gabor

I will change the rod bearings and see if that's enough to get rid of the noise. Since it's not really audible from the outside and doesn't happen ad IDLE, I hope that's all it will be.

When changing the bearings will I be able to see if the crankshaft or anything else is damaged? I'm also thinking of putting thicker oil in (current 5w30 and would put 5w40).