hi everyone

excellent site - wish i'd known it existed before!

we have a g reg spacecruiser which has run like a dream for the past 8 1/2 years from when we bought it with 33k on the clock. this summer we clocked up the 100k during a touring holiday round switzerland - 8 up plus luggage !

all was well until we had it serviced the week before last when it went in running like a dream and came out with a very major noise and vibration fault (first denied by the garage then blamed on a faulty differential and a coincidental sudden failure!).

the symptom is when travelling along with foot off the throttle the engine is fairly sound free, however when the throttle is touched (even with a really featherlight touch) a very loud whining noise and vibration starts just around the engine housing (between the front seats and first row of passeneger seats). this level of noise is independent of how far the throttle is depressed. this suggests that there is some form of sensor/ microswitch that is activated at the start of travel of the throttle which causes the noise to start.

i have pointed out to the garage that the noise is coming from a completely different part of the car from the differential and that the symtoms simply are simply not those of a defective differential.

help anyone please - either a suggested fault or what is actuated just as the throttle is pressed.

regards
phil



- (#5784) Phil Dubery, 12 Oct 02

Phil - is the noise similar to the screech that a clutch release bearing makes?
If so with the engine running and noise evident have a close look at the heat sheild just above the inlet/exhaust manifolds and the joint between them. I had the hot spot blow (joint between manifolds), this caused the heat sheild to vibrate making a screech and drumming vibration felt in the cabin, and all from a piece of tin plate.
Otherwise I'm stumped.

- (#5785) Clive, 13 Oct 02