bspeed Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 On track day with my R400D when developed a mechanical noise from front of engine. Got worse over next half mile so slowed right down. Pulled off at end of straight and stopped engine. Tried to start it again but not enough juice in battery to start it again. Towed back to pits and bump started it ok but still same noise at front of engine. Noise souds very mechanical as it something has broken/rattling badly. Could it be the alternator falling apart? Checking and nothing obviously loose. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eugene Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Honestly, not enough info for any beneficial input? Can you add any more info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Slacken and remove alternator belt and spin alternator by hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jj48 Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 It has an automatic tensioner so not just a matter of " slacken off " alternator belt!! Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garybee Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Even easier then. Get a spanner on the auto' tensioner pulley (15mm on a duratec I think), release tension and slide the belt off the alternator pulley. When you're done checking the alternator bearings, swing the tensioner pulley across to get enough slack to replace the belt onto the alternator pulley and release. No mucking about subjectively setting the tension on the belts to worry about. Edited by - garybee on 28 Oct 2012 19:56:27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Are you sure it was a flat battery, and the engine had not nipped. Is the oil level OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 In reply to above. Oil level fine and no loss of any fluids. Not enough power in battery to turn over engine but bump started OK. Nosie was engine speed dependant. Oil pressure seemed ok. What else at front of engine to go wrong? Going to drop it off at McMillan Motorsport to let them diagnose the worst! 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin J Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Broken water pump bearing or impeller possibly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pikey Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Hopefully it's the belt tensioner, alternator or water pump bearings and not the cam chain tensioner. Jason Edited by - Jason Fletcher on 20 Nov 2012 12:36:03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I don't suppose you have picked up any gravel did you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Hot gravel ? Eeeeeh ...... luxury 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 No gravel managed to stay on the black stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pezky Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 as the battery was flat, I would assume the alternator / belt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 wot he sed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_h Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Check the alternator fixings and mounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 Initial view is bearing failure- metal in oil once sump removed ☹️ ☹️ ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Is this a wet sump, oil level is critical when using the wet sump on track. Its works well but level needs checking every session. Dry sumps are more forgiving but still level needs checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 Checked it (level fine) just before I went out and problem occurred Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 It would be interesting to find out which bearing has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 Will let you all know *cry* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Sorry to hear ☹️ It sounded like the problem my sigma had when it blew. I know it's a different engine, but I learnt 2 things: 1) It needs to vent oil into the catch tank to calibrate what he right oil level is. 2) long right handers are the worst - You weren't at Snetterton were you? Or Mallory? Jez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 News gets worse bearing on big end no3 gone ie nothing left. Damage to other bearings and to crankshaft. Likely solution will be new engine but waiting for comparisons. *cry* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mic Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 Sorry to hear the news, number 3 and 4 tend to be the first to go. I've seen it a number of times. The cranks can be ground and still give good service. There are plenty of standard pistons and rods available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bspeed Posted October 30, 2012 Author Share Posted October 30, 2012 Options are 1 new bottom end for engine 2 repair /replace parts 3 complete new engine 4 secondhand engine Any advice as which way to go 1,2 and 3 likely to be about the same price, 3 most expensive but waiting other prices for replacement engine. All are painful ☹️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat the Plumber Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 i have some standard pistons and rods if required FOC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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