Trouble with my Big End

[Russian Rocket]

my S6 has developed a rattle, fairly subtle but definatley something up

comes on as you reach cruiseing speed, goes away with light gas or ease off

Initial diagnosis is big end, engine comming out next week for strip/inspection etc

Bit miffed as I have been anal about servicing/oil levels/warming up. 18K on clock

I was always under the impression most of the problems were @ the top. I cant remember a post from somebody with just a big end gone, any thoughts.

I have an autoprotect policy inc wear and tear. I wonder how much of the cost of the repair they will try and riggle out of

[rfisher]

I thought big end noise was a low knocking noise under strain.

My engine often sounds different at around 4k rpm - I think that's normal.

Presumably you've taken it to someone who knows a lot about these engines and they've said something isn't right?

Keep us updated.

[tail slide]

Sorry to hear that RR.

Few later engines seem to have low-mileage probs....

Think Power had one with a 'spun' bottom end bearing.

[Russian Rocket]

tail slide said:

Sorry to hear that RR.

Few later engines seem to have low-mileage probs....

Think Power had one with a 'spun' bottom end bearing.

funny you should say that, that's the same person diagnosing the same. Still they seem to be the right people to fix it

[tail slide]

Russian Rocket said:

Still they seem to be the right people to fix it

They know the S6 pretty well.

If it's got to be stripped, maybe 'sensible' to add performance or durability upgrades, depending on planned use/how long keeping for of course.

Edited by tail slide on Saturday 15th September 17:21

[Russian Rocket]

Just wondering what "spun" means

I assumed it means the bearing shells have rotated slightly. The more I think of this how on earth does that happen

[custardkid]

Big end went last year due to oil starvation.

lets hope you have a billet crank that can be reground.

custard

[That Daddy]

Russian Rocket said:

Just wondering what "spun" means

I assumed it means the bearing shells have rotated slightly. The more I think of this how on earth does that happen

Lack of lubrication usually,either very low oil pressure or lack of oil,through oil level etc.

[russian rocket]

engine is out and diagnosis confirmed.

engine is going to be rebuilt to powers standard latest spec and 2y guanntee

sounds like my engine had "low quality" rods

[engelborghs]

Hello RR,

my Tuscan (05; 4.0L; 32.000 Km) is from the same period, did you noticed any other symptoms beside the knocking noice?

Oil pressure/ temp?
Hesitation on acceleration?
smoke?
oil use?
.....

Koen

[Russian Rocket]

No just the knocking noise, very faint I caught it early before more damage was done

[smithyl23]

my exhaust is too loud to really listen to small faint knocks, could you hear it at tick over? And would you notice it if you weren't specifically listening for it.

[Russian Rocket]

This is the "spun" bearing. As I understand it low quality rods become slightly oval and this results.

Engine now rebuilt to TVR power standard and has a 2y unlimited milage warranty.

I had 95% made up my mind to sell it when I got it back but as soon as I drove it home......

still might sell but probably only 10% likley now

needs running in 942 miles to go

[YI8TVR]

Can also sound like the timing chain slightly slapping a kind of ticking noise, until it gets worse then it sounds like a bag of spanners then seizure.

Between first hearing it and seizure is around 15 to 20 miles.

[spartridge]

What was the situation with the warranty in the end?

[tempus]

Most shell bearings have small tags on them which locate in cut-outs in the rod and the bearing cap,some do not and rely on the engine builder to have a tool to make the tag himself,if the tag is not made and located properly the bearing will eventually start to move and finally start to rotate with the crank,thus using the wrong side of the shell as the bearing surface,caught early enough as yours seems to have been the crank should have been ok but the rod would need replacing and all others checked for similar mishaps.Tempus

[Russian Rocket]

situation with autoprotec is currently

total bill £7.5K

I have paid £3K them the rest

some of the work was to upgrade the engine to TVR power spec, all new cams, followers etc but I still think they are trying to duck out of a large part of what they should be paying.

I am going to post specifically on this when I have sufficient details to compile my argument to them. I hope to get some of my contribution back. Dom @ power happily supporting me on this as he does not aggree either.

925 miles to go