Hi Guys,

 

Got a problem and need some advice, just recently i've been hearing a "tapping" rhythmic sound, when i say recently, i mean i wasn't there yesterday but today it is..

 

Could it be tappets? thought at first it was a squeaky belt,

 

Its bugging me and i keep getting the idea the turbo's have had it..

 

Any advice more than welcome

 

Rich

Looks Like i've found the culprit, here is a picture from underneath looking at the starter motor, the clamping/positioning bolt has come out, i stuck a bar in there and started it up and there was no horrendous noise or sound when revved or idle. my question is what size bolt usually goes in there? or was it a stud?

 

Cheers

 

Rich

 

Got an update for y'all, the noise started happening again, but before i could get home, i had to stop at the shop, 500yds round the corner from my house, yep you guessed it, even worse than starting with a big rattle, wouldn't start at ALL!!

 

Managed to have a quick look underneath, the starter motor was hanging loosely from the top bolt..Dam, had to go out at that moment to Milton Keynes, got back about 1.00am, wrapped up warm and walked back to the zed whilst on the phone with the AA.

 

Half hour later he turns up, in a nutshell, he couldn't get his trolley jack under, no towing point at the side, front lip to low to let him jack up the rear onto a set of dolly wheels. So he booked a transporter for this morning, not the usual flat bed, but one that picks it up and deposits it straight onto the back of the lorry, all for 500yds round the corner!!

 

Before he confirmed it, i said i had an idea that i normally do, use the boot jack to raise it enough to slide the trolley underneath, he finally got it raised and bolted back on the SM, result, sort of. the bottom bolt that keeps falling out was tightened till it bottomed, and left about 4 mm gap between the underside of the bolt head and the SM.

 

Well it started this morning, and so far so good, i think if it makes it to the weekend i'll try and re tapp the hole with M12,

 

Well thats about the end of this chapter except the AA man was a bit of a petrol head and apart from drooling over my car (fool) he has just bought the new focus rs, like the one in green in the piccy but white.

 

I've got some other questions and requests but i'll post them later

 

I've got a theory about the reason for all my trouble, the weather...and local authorities. With all the bad roads and especially the pot holes that sprouted up after the snow, i think the vibration loosened the 2 bolts,

 

Rich

the bolt you used wasn't too long was it? i.e. gone through and touching something?

Not to sure ,but i sure it was a M10 x 30, hopefully i'll remove it at the weekend and re-tap the hole to M12, and either put some M12 studding in it (with thread lock or Araldite) or just use a bolt.

 

Rich