Motorway speeds

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Hi Chaps

Me again...... As you may have guessed I am fairly new to this!

Now my 3 is in regular service I have a query about the top speed.

When on the motorway the most I feel comfy doing its about 85mph (90 tops) as she is obviously in 5th doing 4000rpm. The oil pressure is at about 3.5 bar and the oil temp hovers around 100 degrees, the engine temp is low (about mid way between 1/4 & 1/2 (raises to around 1/2 - 3/4 in traffic)).

I fail to see how 134mph is possible - does this sound normal? I think that 4000 rpm is a bit high considering the supposed top speed is some 50mph more!

Thanks

Ben

[zmaster2k]

MORE than possible mate,

Mine feels at home at about 110donkys per hour

I wouldnt be too concerned about the dash readings... the gauges are notoriously crap and inaccurate!

[MatBrown]

By your own readings everything seems in order.
85/4000x6700(rev limit) = 142.37mph

[MG1980]

I wouldn't bother trying to do much more or else the rozzers will take your shiny new toy off of you as quickly as you've got it!! :lol:

[Ben Nichols 1979]

I know!!

All I wanted to to be sure of is that cruising at 80-90mph won't cause her problems. Not really keen on going double the speed limit - it could cause problems with work................

[Coops]

yeah steady cruise at that is fine, I used to see oil temps up at 120 and pressure down at 0 like that in the old Williams

Renault electrics = win ;-)

[zmaster2k]

yeah steady cruise at that is fine, I used to see oil temps up at 120 and pressure down at 0 like that in the old Williams

Renault electrics = win ;-)

Knows this!! :roll: :roll: :D :D :D

[Ben Nichols 1979]

so if the tapping noise (see gearbox fault post) IS a hydraulic tappet would that be detrimental to the performance or just an irritation? Basically, it sounds dear is it vital its done asap? How do I establish whether its a dodgy tappet?

Thanks for the help guys!

Ben

[zmaster2k]

video?

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Hi - did the video this morning.

I assume someone has heard this before?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-BkBfM1csM

thanks

Ben

[zmaster2k]

Yup sounds like tappet to me/noisy injectors

the squeek would drive me mad though.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Thanks for that. Do you know what is needed to put it right (£) and if the squeek is separate to the tappet noise?

Want it to be A1!

Cheers

[Wobba]

OEM tappets are expensive, but there are alternatives on ebay, which suited me fine, and I fitted them myself. I think I did a guide on here some years ago.

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Cheers but I am not the most switched on when it comes to mechanics - is it an easy job or super dear for a garage to do?

Cheers

[zmaster2k]

Requires

Removal of cambelt and ancilleries
removal of cam cover
removal of cam carriers
removal of cams

Be a bit more than a cambelt change at a garage i reckon

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Is it something that can be done later or is it urgent? Just had the bloody cambelt and water pump done at a cost of £600!

[zmaster2k]

Put a decent oil in should be reet for a bit.

Put up with mine for months!

[Coops]

as above, keep an ear on it, if it gets worse then get it sorted but should be fine for a while.

where u based?

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Does it just get loader the worse it gets? I am in Southampton

[Ben Nichols 1979]

louder I mean!

[zmaster2k]

They are normally louder when cold, mine =used to be dreadful. but quietened down a touch when cold.

Saying that ive had one that was intermittent single sticky tappet.... it could come and go..


You'll be fine... yes they do get louder.. but considering the age of the engine. you gotta expect somthing so make some noise.

[16v_paddy]

The only tapping I could hear in that vid was the normal noise that the injectors make :?
Spray some WD40 on the back of the alternator pulley to see if that cures the annoying squeak :wink:
I'd be more bothered about why there's torx bolts holding the rocker cover on instead of the normal 10mm hex bolts than the tapping, just drive & enjoy :wink:

[MatBrown]

The only tapping I could hear in that vid was the normal noise that the injectors make :?
Spray some WD40 on the back of the alternator pulley to see if that cures the annoying squeak :wink:
I'd be more bothered about why there's torx bolts holding the rocker cover on instead of the normal 10mm hex bolts than the tapping, just drive & enjoy :wink:

Torx are standard too, depends what they had in the box when building it. :lol:

[MatBrown]

As for the squeak, it could be an over-tensioned belt or the bearings in one of the pulleys.
Did you have just the cambelt changed or did you have the kit fitted which includes the idler and tensioner pulley?
Easiest things to check/eliminate first is the alternator and tensioner for that.

[16v_paddy]

Torx are standard too, depends what they had in the box when building it. :lol:

Every day is a school day :lol:

[Ben Nichols 1979]

Hi Mat

When the belt was done it was the full kit but now my garage tells me the alternator pulley was a bit "rumbly" :roll: ! I guess its just a bot of spray and that will solve it.

The noise seems to have got louder recently but maybe I am imagining it as I know its there?!

Has anyone ever used a tappet cleaner and protector? My garage said to give it a go. Has anyone got any views either way on it?

Thanks