Strange engine noise

[Underdog]

Hello all,
I just completed a complete overhaul on a 2.0 and it has a noise that is baffling me. Best way to describe it is a howl or squeal similar to a fan belt or bad alternator bearing. However I took the belt off and it's still there. The baffling part is it only does this for a matter of several minutes when started from cold. Once the engine is up to normal temp, it goes away like turning off a switch and sounds absolutely perfect. It didn't do it on the initial fire up but is now there after it sits and completely cools....such as overnight.

The head was rebuilt by a competent local shop. Rings and bearings were replaced, crank ground .010 as well as timing chain/guides/tensioner etc. I've driven it enough miles that if something were wrong with the basic rebuild, it should have got worse or failed by now.

I was thinking possibly the waterpump??? Or should I say I hope that's all it is. I re-installed the original as it wasn't leaking and I wasn't sure of quality of replacements. Any thoughts or experiences like this? Thanks

Jim Underwood
72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

[DNK]

Is it my mistake...or is that a name I have not seen in a while?

Don
Stick a Wedge In It
80 TR7 V8 Kick in the pants

[FI Spyder]

I would have said fan clutch (unless you have electric) but the belt off should have eliminated it, although fan clutch failure should be fairly constant unless maybe it was just happening. I would get a pair of mechanics stethoscopes and see if I can pin point the area. They're only about $14 and come in handy from time to time.


- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[Workshop Help]

Was a gasket installed twixt the head and exhaust manifold? If not, perhaps a slight whistle/squeal/howl is emanating from a slight crack that closes up with the expansion of metal from engine heat?

Mildred Hargis

[UKPhilTR7]

This is simular to the situation that I have and now have started to live with. I had my engine rebuilt, ground down and everything you mentioned with the addition of the new water pump. Cost a pretty penny too. Oh and I had new cam and everything that end, so in short everything changes, even the studs lol.

When I start mine up from cold and until she is warm, I also get a sound. Not so much a squeal, but a faint knock, like the tappets. However, when it get warm, it goes. I too would of thought that if the engine was going to of failed, it would of done by now.

I am going to have the tappets looked at, but I would of thought that the noise would of been there all the time if it was them. I am also going to have a look at the chain and make sure that is tight enough.

One thing that mine did the other month while she was running was just stop. Engine went off and no sound when I tried to turn her over. I pushed her back to the garage and then tried it again. She started first time without any issue. Has anything like this happened to yours? I just spoke to a guy at work today and he said that the same thing happened to a car he was driving and it was the can that slipped, so I am thinking the chain here.

It is not nice to hear something like what we have though when you spend all that money on having the engine done and you are not sure. I would love to hear what it is for you and if I find out what my noise is, I will let you know.

[john 215]

Hi Jim,

Foot on or off the clutch ?

I have a noisy release bearing on the FHC, only first start of the day and for approx. 5 seconds with my foot on the clutch, bl88dy thing has only been in there a year [:(] nowt is built to last anymore !!

Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

[bmcecosse]

Phil - engine 'stop' and then not turn over, and then later turn over just fine suggests a bad battery or earth connection.... Check them carefully.

[Underdog]

Thanks for the responses. This is a fellow club member that I've done other work for. I haven't heard from him and he wasn't very concerned. Reason I suspected the water pump is the sound goes away about the same time you would think the thermostat opens.

I apologize for not being around more and thanks again. Still have the TR8.

Jim Underwood
72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

[UKPhilTR7]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by bmcecosse</i>

Phil - engine 'stop' and then not turn over, and then later turn over just fine suggests a bad battery or earth connection.... Check them carefully.




<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for that, I was thinking that it was time to look at a new battery and connections, this will be a good reason to do it all. Thanks again, as it helps put my mind at rest, that it is something more serious.