Pumapeople: Thunder....is This A Terminal Engine Problem Please? - Pumapeople

Jump to content

Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

Thunder....is This A Terminal Engine Problem Please?

#1 User is offline   Gay 

  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 18
  • Joined: 18-February 03
  • Location:London

Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:22 PM

Hi Puma People

I have had my Thunder since new and ABSOLUTELY adore her! Always serviced at Ford (I know very expensive but I know NOTHING about cars) ~85,000 miles. Had 2 cambelts done at correct times and all work Ford has ever suggested ££££ done!!!

Recent Ford Service/MOT they replaced "front coil spring" but as I drove home from service after 2 miles there was a horrible metallic noise from under the bonnet. Pedestrians on pavement even looked round! I pulled over and looked under the car expecting to see something to do with the replaced springs. Couldn't see anything so drove home slowly and car seemed fine...no further noises.

By chance I have hardly used the car since but on parking (midnight so dark) after a 90 mile drive last week I noticed coolant was leaking onto the drive (engine hot) and was just about empty! No dash lights or high temp had showed. Filled it with water and it drained out fast. Now engine is cold it only leaks very very slowly. Can't see where it's coming from but not the radiater.

I tentatively started the engine out of gear (cold the next day) and she sounds normal BUT with a nasty vibration through the steering wheel.

Now putting 2 and 2 together has scared me. I think the original metallic noise was nothing to do with the springs but actually something really awful going on which has f***ed the engine.

I'm a totally non-mechanical woman and so would be really grateful for any suggestions. Sadly not with AA/RAC so at moment car stranded on drive.

1. What's the worse it could be please?
2. Is it safe to drive 8 miles to nearest Ford garage?
3. What would you do next?

I LOVE THE CAR! THANK SO MUCH FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS

#2 User is offline   happy-kat 

  • Group: Admin
  • Posts: 21811
  • Joined: 10-February 03

Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:54 PM

Hi Gay

Where are you there may be another other option / garage.

Need to decide if problem is because of error when spring was replaced. Which spring was changed?


Cambelt if every 5 years or 80k miles which ever occurs first.
searching is fruitful | I'm a sponge not a mechanic | please do try that if stuck with a Puma problem whilst waiting for a reply | For the Puma fan this read 'The Inside Story Book' is very nice to own sometimes still seen for sale

#3 User is offline   happy-kat 

  • Group: Admin
  • Posts: 21811
  • Joined: 10-February 03

Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:56 PM

Have you ever had the heater control valve changed?
searching is fruitful | I'm a sponge not a mechanic | please do try that if stuck with a Puma problem whilst waiting for a reply | For the Puma fan this read 'The Inside Story Book' is very nice to own sometimes still seen for sale

#4 User is offline   Lester909 

  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 36
  • Joined: 20-March 12

Posted 06 April 2017 - 04:07 PM

Hello Gay The water leak may well be coming from the water pump .This is only a guess as you really need a mechanically minded friend ect to have a look for you .You don't say what area you live in as there may be someone on this site that could pop in and have a look for you . .I wouldn't advise you to try and drive it anywhere till you get some advice ..Hope this bit of advice is useful .Cheers Les R

View PostGay, on 06 April 2017 - 02:22 PM, said:

Hi Puma People

I have had my Thunder since new and ABSOLUTELY adore her! Always serviced at Ford (I know very expensive but I know NOTHING about cars) ~85,000 miles. Had 2 cambelts done at correct times and all work Ford has ever suggested ££££ done!!!

Recent Ford Service/MOT they replaced "front coil spring" but as I drove home from service after 2 miles there was a horrible metallic noise from under the bonnet. Pedestrians on pavement even looked round! I pulled over and looked under the car expecting to see something to do with the replaced springs. Couldn't see anything so drove home slowly and car seemed fine...no further noises.

By chance I have hardly used the car since but on parking (midnight so dark) after a 90 mile drive last week I noticed coolant was leaking onto the drive (engine hot) and was just about empty! No dash lights or high temp had showed. Filled it with water and it drained out fast. Now engine is cold it only leaks very very slowly. Can't see where it's coming from but not the radiater.

I tentatively started the engine out of gear (cold the next day) and she sounds normal BUT with a nasty vibration through the steering wheel.

Now putting 2 and 2 together has scared me. I think the original metallic noise was nothing to do with the springs but actually something really awful going on which has f***ed the engine.

I'm a totally non-mechanical woman and so would be really grateful for any suggestions. Sadly not with AA/RAC so at moment car stranded on drive.

1. What's the worse it could be please?
2. Is it safe to drive 8 miles to nearest Ford garage?
3. What would you do next?

I LOVE THE CAR! THANK SO MUCH FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS


#5 User is offline   Gay 

  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 18
  • Joined: 18-February 03
  • Location:London

Posted 07 April 2017 - 12:46 AM

Wow Hi Happy Kat! You won't remember me but I'm pretty sure I met you on PP rally over 12 years ago. Beachy Head maybe? Old days of Bok et al...? Or maybe I just remember your name from your many helpful posts.

Thanks so much to everyone for replying. No not had heater control valve replaced but I am pretty sure it's a lot worse than that because of the nasty sudden metallic engine noise and the vibration now. I was told both front springs were broken and replaced at recent service/mot although i had not noticed a problem!

Live in SE21 London....Bromley Ford is nearest to me. I wish I wasn't such a numpty about cars!!

What's that thing that can happen when something goes horribly wrong and the engine gets f***ed??? Not "big-ends" but something similar which spells the end....Have a hunch that's what I have (LOL)

Out of interest has anyone else had to have the petrol tank replaced due to rust? That was last years MOT failure.

#6 User is offline   Ian G 

  • Group: Admin
  • Posts: 1832
  • Joined: 28-May 09
  • Location:Merseyside

Posted 07 April 2017 - 06:41 AM

Fuel tank is common, they fail on the seam.

Vibration through the steering wheel - is this while you're stationary or driving?

#7 User is offline   happy-kat 

  • Group: Admin
  • Posts: 21811
  • Joined: 10-February 03

Posted 07 April 2017 - 08:35 AM

Nickasil bore liner breakdown you might be thinking of but don't think this is your issue.
Yes we have met on a meet many years ago :-)
Have you checked your oil level anyway?
searching is fruitful | I'm a sponge not a mechanic | please do try that if stuck with a Puma problem whilst waiting for a reply | For the Puma fan this read 'The Inside Story Book' is very nice to own sometimes still seen for sale

#8 User is offline   Lester909 

  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 36
  • Joined: 20-March 12

Posted 07 April 2017 - 02:03 PM

View PostGay, on 07 April 2017 - 12:46 AM, said:

Wow Hi Happy Kat! You won't remember me but I'm pretty sure I met you on PP rally over 12 years ago. Beachy Head maybe? Old days of Bok et al...? Or maybe I just remember your name from your many helpful posts.

Thanks so much to everyone for replying. No not had heater control valve replaced but I am pretty sure it's a lot worse than that because of the nasty sudden metallic engine noise and the vibration now. I was told both front springs were broken and replaced at recent service/mot although i had not noticed a problem!

Live in SE21 London....Bromley Ford is nearest to me. I wish I wasn't such a numpty about cars!!

What's that thing that can happen when something goes horribly wrong and the engine gets f***ed??? Not "big-ends" but something similar which spells the end....Have a hunch that's what I have (LOL)

Out of interest has anyone else had to have the petrol tank replaced due to rust? That was last years MOT failure.


#9 User is offline   Lester909 

  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 36
  • Joined: 20-March 12

Posted 07 April 2017 - 02:05 PM

Hi Kat Can't help thinking about the cause being the water pump .The vibration you mention could be where the water pump bearing has broken up .,and along with the water leak is where i would be looking first of all Cheers Les ,

#10 User is offline   happy-kat 

  • Group: Admin
  • Posts: 21811
  • Joined: 10-February 03

Posted 07 April 2017 - 06:13 PM

It is coolant rather than water so don't taste it it is poisonous.

Been digging through the site. I have not used this guy but could be local enough for you contact.

STEAVIE (Puma owner and Mechanic)
16 Raven road
South Woodford
E18 1Hb
london
07871378867
searching is fruitful | I'm a sponge not a mechanic | please do try that if stuck with a Puma problem whilst waiting for a reply | For the Puma fan this read 'The Inside Story Book' is very nice to own sometimes still seen for sale

#11 User is offline   Gay 

  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 18
  • Joined: 18-February 03
  • Location:London

Posted 11 April 2017 - 10:22 AM

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. Problem now solved!

In the end I took the chance of driving it 1/2 mile to a local garage for a diagnosis. It turned out to be a mega-cracked thermostat housing. Garage replaced housing, gasket and thermostat and checked the head gasket because of the horrid noise I had heard but that seems OK...Thank God! So the one off noise is still unexplained.

I hadn't realsied that the slow coolant leak while engine cold was actually a very fast leak as I had tested it with the yellow cap screwed on. As soon as this was opened the coolant flooded out....I did tell you I knew bugger all about cars...lol

Thanks again
Gay

This post has been edited by Gay: 11 April 2017 - 10:22 AM


#12 User is offline   happy-kat 

  • Group: Admin
  • Posts: 21811
  • Joined: 10-February 03

Posted 11 April 2017 - 06:37 PM

Glad it has been sorted for you. Roll on a lovely Easter weekend
searching is fruitful | I'm a sponge not a mechanic | please do try that if stuck with a Puma problem whilst waiting for a reply | For the Puma fan this read 'The Inside Story Book' is very nice to own sometimes still seen for sale

Share this topic:


Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic