[M.J.S]

It never rains does it.

After nearly two years being laid up and unused as I finished off and cleared out other projects, have now managed to get 'Zarde' running again. Have set a goal to have her ready for the Tatton show on 3rd June.

Got her briefly started yesterday, and tonight ran her up to temperature.

Quite pleased, temp looks good, oil pressure spot on, tuning out as the carbs have been off and stripped, but not too rough considering.

However, as I was tinkering with the timing and carbs, and the revs dropped too low, I was getting a horrid squeal which was clearly not just the fan belt.

I've pulled off the fanbelt and turning the waterpump pulley with my hand there is no play whatsoever, and certainly no signs of any leaks, but the pulley does make a horrid dry sounding squeal, which I assume is the waterpump bearing.

I really don't want to have to start stripping out the engine, as otherwise there is no cause too.

Do any of you more experienced Elanophiles know whether this is likely to be caused by the total lack of use, could there be a bit of rust of some other gunk in there that might free off and get better? Is there anything I can do to help lubricate this back to health, or is it the sign of further doom waiting in the wings?

Cheers guys.

[Henry VIIII]

Not sure that you would get a SQUEAL from a worn out bearing, at a guess, I would think a squeal is more likely to be the blades of the rotor touching on the static alloy ring that carries the two o-rings, or pushed right back the back of the rotor could be touching the rear timing case.

If the bearing is worn the shaft (without the belt) can be wiggled sideways.

The third possible cause is that the carbon seal disk has fractured & it is doing metal to metal there, to check if that seal has gone, make sure the drain hole under the front pulley is clear, and see if coolant is leaking out of there

[512BB]

I certainly would not be pulling anything apart at this stage. Make sure the rad is full and maybe see if you can get hold of some water wetter, the additive. And I would run the car on the road, so the engine is under load, for a good few miles, and with luck it will clear.

Leslie

[AHM]

I had a similar issue with my rebuil engine.
Rebuilt with graphogen, turned-over to get oil pressure and circulation.

Fired-up and after a few seconds a horrible squealing noise like a slipping fanbelt.

It turned out to be the crank oil seal which needs oil rather than graphogen.

A simple job to take the pulley off and wipe the bearing surface with oil.

Simon

[M.J.S]

Hi Simon,

I think this is certainly the waterpump as I can hear it squeak as I turn the pulley by hand.

A problem I have is as she has been garaged for the past 2 years the MOT and tax have expired so I cannot just take her on the road for a blast. Will have to make sure she is fit for a journey as my favoured MOT station is 10 miles away.

Sitting in the garage running and annoying the neighbours isn't ideal to thoroughly check out, flush, or bed in anything, but at present it's my only option.

[AHM]

Does the noise stop when you run the engine with the belt off?

[pauljones915]

Gentlemen,

I too have this problem it's a bit intermittent so I'll need to delve further,but just a quick question.
Who has changed to a new Burton type water pump and is it as good as it seems?

Ok that's 2 questions I know but I'm thinking of using the Burton complete assy and I'd like some honest opinions first.

Paul

[oillite]

I've had the Burton pump fitted for 3 years now but I went the whole hog with their toothed drive belt kit as well and so far I'm very pleased with both units.
This is one of two +2's that I've owned and this car now Burton equipped has for some unknown reason has always been heavy on pumps when using the standard unit, they would fail about every 8k, the 130/5 that i had was still on it's original pump at 60k when I sold it.

[pauljones915]

Thanks for the reply,

I think when funds allow it will be a priority

Paul

[ricarbo]

I think that the noise comes from the seal, which is a carbon faced disc, pushed against it's mating part by a spring. It needs to be lubricated and this is done by the water in the cooling system. If the motor is left standing without water, the seal will dry out and then will chatter when it is turned, rather than smoothly sliding, making a noise reminiscent of the one the old BMC cars like the Austin 1100 used to make when the clutch was pressed and their carbon faced clutch release bearings were failing. Hopefully, once some water gets into the seal, it will be lubricated again and will stop making the noise. even more hopefully, it will be undamaged. i think, as Leslie said, some water wetter might help. i'd also turn it backwards and forwards by hand, in the hope that some water would get into it. i'd definitely avoid running it squealing, as i think that could damage it.
richard