1998 2.1 TD Down on power and NOISY! Help!

[ko324]

Driving along suddenly hiccuped strange noises then run on abeit noisier and a bit down on power.
Stopped on reaching destination.... Difficult to start without bit of the loud pedal.
Following journeys from cold lots of cranking before with a little bit of loud pedal bursts into life then will run normaly abeit down on power n NOISY!!!
My theory... I had the intake manifold off a couple of months ago for easier access to cure a fuel leak, maybe i didnt refit carefully enough. Has the engine more than likely injested one of the seals? My theory would explain all symptoms the hiccup. noise and loud loud engine bit down on power.
Do other forum members agree with my likely diagnosis?
Where do i buy a set of seals and what is the correct terminology for them?

[steve_earwig]

Possibly a pipe has come off or split between the turbo and inlet. Mine once blew the pipe off from the inlet and it sounded like a tank and drove like a slug. I think the collars are too hard to be ingested by the engine but justin case -
036255 MANIFOLD UNION 5.02 GBP

I don't think you'll get them anywhere else I'm afraid.

[ko324]

Cheers Steve.... I'll give it a good dose of lookin at next weekend..... Sounds very feasible regarding a pipe split or blown off on turbo and i suppose any air leak anywhere will drasticaly affect power n noise! Regards Rick

[mark21TD]

What sort of noise is it, is it a mechanical sound ?
could the timing belt have slipped a tooth ?
If a turbo pipe had burst it would still start as usual so I don't think it's that.

[steve_earwig]

Holey carp! That's a damn good point

[mark21TD]

Holey carp! That's a damn good point

Come on steve, put your brain in gear man.

[Welly]

Could be the belt slipped, quite likely thinking about what happened.

Sounds like the timing's out now, you need to go *very* steady or not at all preferably 'till you've had a looky.

[ko324]

Thanks for your replys so far, But I am reluctant to belive that it could be the belt as it has only been changed 10,000 miles ago at 199.000.

I wouldnt class it as a mechanical sound but it seems to be comming from the area of inlet manifold / rocker cover
leading me to belive that it is some kind of air leak and has anyone heard of any weak points that could cause this.

Going to have a look at inlet but any other thoughts would be appreciated.

[steve_earwig]

Holey carp! That's a damn good point

Come on steve, put your brain in gear man.

Can't, I'm supposed to be lying down with my foot in the air but it's doin' me 'ead in

[poddack]

I aquired mine because a garage had replaced the cam belt and left the tensioner in the locked position, went over a bump, the belt jumped a few teeth and SMASH! Valves into pistons!

[ko324]

Going to check the timing all aligns up tomorrow... Usin the MX5 meanwhile n missus is moanin no room 4 d kids... Ahhhh perfect peace! Will report back tomorrow! Regards everyone Rick

[ko324]

Checked the timing and yes the camshaft and fuel pump appear to have jumped a tooth so i'm now in the process of setting up the timing. All covers off.... but here is my problem .... the 5mm hex locking bolt to allow slackening of the belt seems not to be 5mm ... will it be just a bit tired? or another size fitting? Any suggestions of how to grip the outer circumference of the head of the bolt remembering that this is the 2.1 where its buried in the hole in the water pump (i summise) cover. Is removing the waterpump and refitting after my best option? Views and ideas welcome! Thanks Rick

[ko324]

Sorted.... Whipped off the O/S engine mounting and all was revealed and a lot better access. Cam and fuel pump one tooth out..... Built back up and runs like a dreamh lots of effortless power again! Up for sale shortly either with it's current short MOT... but as i reckon it doesn't need much for a full ticket it may be worth my while spending a little. It's been a cracking motor whilst in my possesion for the last 18 months.... Drive on!