Foreboding inclinations

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:51 pm

I dunno what it is, something just feels `off` with my faithfull 406.

She seems to be driving fine, maybe its just me being paranoid and picking up on raod surface related vibrations and noises, but I have this ugly inclination somethings about to go on my 406. I can't quite put my finger on it.

Today I noticed a vibration in my steering wheel and accelerator (felt as if it was synchronised) when I was on the motorway cruisng at 75mph. it was intermittent but often. Felt like it was from the front right side. (Thats one thing I love about the 406, it talks to you!) If I didn't know any better I'd say something was loose. Will give that a going over post haste. Its the fact I could feel the vibration through the accelerator thats really getting me worried.

Right now she's not in mint condition.
The sump is leaking a few drops per day (very manageable, small top up every other week)
The clutch continues to slip every so often, but grandad style driving keeps that at bay. However sometimes, you need to throttle it to get anywhere in traffic around here. It seems to happen mostly in 3rd and 5th gear when I step on the accelerator hard to overtake. Pulling away fast in first seems fine, no slippage.

Recently I have noticed a slight clunk from the rear end when maneovering in car parks. Specificaly when turning and moving off while turning. Might just be stuff shifting around in the boot, not had time to empty it and test. Back end feels solid in normal cruise when going round bends and on straights though.

I've just got a bad feeling I'm about to lose my 6. Mainly because I couldn't afford any huge bill right now.. and if the car goes off the road.. I'm stuffed for a job!
Still with about 192K on the clock, I'm not about to act all surprised if it all goes tits up with the car.

Anyone else had such inclination before, where you just feel that somethings about to give up?

Post by **Welly** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:36 pm

It's funny blue well, not that funny, but when your well used to a car like you are you can pick up on things easily.

Many times I've had a fault with a car and when I look back it all clicks into place, that noise, that smell, that judder all make sense.

Vibration under acceleration (which promptly dissapears when backing off) can usualy be put down to worn differential bearings which can occur at high mileages. The drive shafts begin to rotate eccentrically causing vibration.

If it's vibrating just when cruising along then it could be something very simple like a wheel balancing weight has popped off.

Hope it's the later

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:55 pm

The vibration is while cruising. No noticable difference between acceleration or lifting off.

Might just be due to the road surface I was on. I spent the next 20 mins driving with my windows up, fans off and radio on mute while I drove normaly to see if I could hear anything. Can't say I did... all seemed to be fine, don't recall if the vibration continued or not. It will be getting my full attention on the way home.

It was a slight vibration, almost as it I was driving over small cobbles. I'll check and make sure the little sticky balancing weight is still attached to the wheels at the front. Good tip!

I guess with the mileage my 406 is at, paranoia sets in easily and quickly!

Post by **Welly** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:59 pm

Good luck Fella

*notices and makes note to change the forum time to GMT+ 1hour again*

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:07 pm

top engine mount bush, mine does it, and has only 104,000 on it, i packed mine out with old rad hoses i had at work, works a treat, but the bush now is completley shot
and the clunk from the rear is almost certainly anti-roll bar links

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:12 pm

Oh, I know about the engine mount bush. That sings at precisely 2100 revs. Doesn't under or over that. This vibration had the same feel to it, but my engine was a ball hair over 3500 revs at the time on account of me doing 75mph.
I'm told expanding foam or Silicon sealant works to dampen the vibrations from the bush?

My link bars have been clunked when the rear suspension is in motion for about 70K miles now. This clunk, however is new and has a slightly different tone.
Could the links "shift" as I turn the car? As in forward or rearward motion? Ie letting the rear wheels pivot slightly?

Heres a question for James... will Radweld (or similar) work to seek out and plug any leaks in the cooling system, namely the heater matrix behind the dash? If not, short of replacement (not an option... UBER expensive) what other tricks can you recommend

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:30 pm

i would put this in for a matrix leak, another cheap fix would be to cut the heater hoses at the bulkhead and link them together,
the clunk could also be the anti-roll bar bushes, i had this on mine, the bushes are £9 each and a doddle to fit, it could also be the tie rods, shock absorbers or even a broken coil spring
and i doubt expanding foam or sealant will do anything for the bush, just go to a breakers and get a selection of rad hoses, cut them up and stuff them in

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:39 pm

That K-Seal looks the dogs bollocks! Shall defo give that a try! Thanks for the tip.

Will have a look at changing those bushes...I'm a complete novice in mechanics.. a doddle you say? Will scrutinise my Haynes.

darrenwall · Post by **darrenwall** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:30 pm

i found bars leak is probably the best stuff to cure a leaking heater matrix , dont bother with halfrauds own make tho , its utter shite

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:47 pm

shall look out for that and see what I can get first

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:51 pm

well for me the bushes were a doddle to fit, would like to point out you have to move the fuel tank, but its nothing major, just pick a warm day and have a lot of patience, i wouldnt recommend anything but the k-seal for a matrix leak, bars leaks or rad weld is only good for radiator leaks

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:03 pm

K-Seal is on the top of my list for sure.

The bushes still look a somewhat daunting task to my novice eyes. Might get some help if I get round to doing them. Right now... I'm going to focus on the front end.. that oil leak and potentially failing clutch are worrying me.

The Stealer wants £319.19 inc Vat to replace the clutch

And to remove the sump, clean it and reseal it they want £220!! Double

Gives me a ball park figure... now to go shopping.

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:09 pm

thats a very good price for the clutch, due to its age you get better discount, if you supply the clutch then you will save yourself more money, but they wont guaratee it obviously
the sump you could do yourself, the only annoying part of the job is the fact there is arround a 20-30 bolts holding it up!

Blue406 · Post by **Blue406** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:51 pm

Been thinking about doing it myself.

Trouble is, I have no access to a ramp or pit. And I don't want to do it under axle stands, I don't trust them and don't like all the cars weight being on those 4 small points.

jameslxdt · Post by **jameslxdt** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:17 pm

well from experience, a car will never fall off axle stands, ive even tried to push a car off them, and had a car hit it, still didnt come off, only if you just use a jack will you have problems, i learnt this lesson the hard way and nearly lost a leg