Thunder....is This A Terminal Engine Problem Please?
#1
Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:22 PM
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
Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:54 PM
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.
#3
Posted 06 April 2017 - 02:56 PM
#4
Posted 06 April 2017 - 04:07 PM
Gay, on 06 April 2017 - 02:22 PM, said:
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
Posted 07 April 2017 - 12:46 AM
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
Posted 07 April 2017 - 06:41 AM
Vibration through the steering wheel - is this while you're stationary or driving?
#7
Posted 07 April 2017 - 08:35 AM
Yes we have met on a meet many years ago :-)
Have you checked your oil level anyway?
#8
Posted 07 April 2017 - 02:03 PM
Gay, on 07 April 2017 - 12:46 AM, said:
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
Posted 07 April 2017 - 02:05 PM
#10
Posted 07 April 2017 - 06:13 PM
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
#11
Posted 11 April 2017 - 10:22 AM
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
Posted 11 April 2017 - 06:37 PM