RE: stag-digest V3 #168

[Richard Hudson <richard.hudson@domain.elided>]

Glen

Firstly congratulations on your purchase, hopefully the old girl won't
make you hate her too much in the first weeks of ownership. One thing
that I have learnt in my years of ownership is never to ignore any
engine noise but also and just as important, don't panic. Check the
simplest things first and work your way down a list.

The "clanking noise" could be caused by the viscous fan. With the engine
switched off grab the fan blades firmly and see if you can feel any
fore/aft movement. If you can the viscous bearing is shot and will
require replacement, mine did but not before my heart had stopped
beating for a considerable time. The noise this simple bearing made
sounded awful and I could feel the vibration through the transmission
tunnel.

Other causes could be power steering pump, alternator faults. Disconnect
the belts to see if the noise stops. If it doesn't change the chains,
tensioners and sprockets (if needed) immediately. Noisy chains mean
imminent failure and should not re treated with contempt.. they cost a
lot of money when they go...

I did my chains in a day, they are not particularly difficult to change
if you are a keen amateur mechanic and have a workshop manual to hand.

Secondly, blowing fuses.. Yikes sounds like you've got those Lucas
Electrics fitted, you obviously have a short. You can check fuse ratings
in either the workshop manual or Owners Handbook, do not fit an
overrated fuse as you are just asking for it to catch fire.. 35amp does
sound a bit high but I haven't checked. To try and resolve the issue you
will probably need a bucket full of fuses, start at the easy end. Unplug
the rear indicators. Does the fuse still blow, if so you will need
access to the inner wing areas at the front, unplugg side repeaters and
front indictors. Does it still blow? If so you will need to check
switches. Both indicator switch on column and also hazard warning lights
if you have them.

If after all this looks ok you are still blowing fuses you will have to
check the general condition of the wiring. Looking for a wire that is
stretched or has been chaffing against the bodywork..?

These problems are generally a bugger to solve.. good luck.

Regards

Richard Hudson
73 Auto White Stag

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	glen.fairbairn@domain.elided [SMTP:glen.fairbairn@domain.elided]
	Sent:	20 July 1998 15:21
	To:	stag@domain.elided
	Subject:	Re: stag-digest V3 #168

	Firstly many thanks to all those who replied to my earlier mail
- much
	appreciated. Secondly, I  picked up my Stag this Saturday.
Surprise - I am
	having a problem or two.

	On the day following me picking up the Stag, the indicators
appear to have
	packed up. I have checked the fuses and the second fuse in
(working from
	the engine outwards) has blown. I replaced it with the 35A fuse
and it blew
	again. As of yet I don't have a a manual, I'm waiting for one to
be
	delivered. Is this the right fuse for the indicators ? If it is
can anyone
	point me in the direction of where the problem might lie?

	Next a clanking noise has started coming from the front of the
engine. An
	acquaintance of mine has taken a look and thinks it may be the
timing chain
	buffer. Has anyone had any experience on this ?


	Thanks

	Glen