New owner questions

[darreni]

Hi guys, i'm now the proud owner of a 97 4.2( many thanks to steve for his help when buying) & have a few questions.

I have a knocking noise from the rear(sounds like passenger side) is most noticeable when backing off the gas - sharp acceleration then backing off produces it - quick stabs of the pedal produces the noise. Any ideas?

Ht leads - the car is a bastard to drive slowly/in traffic- very jerky, i'm thinking of new leads, are these tvr only or can i get generic v8 leads from say a rover dealer?

idle is around 1200-1500 rpm- manual says this is ok is it diy adjustable?

oil pressure is around 10-15 psi when hot at idle 25 psi at 3000rpm when hot. Richard at penninsula said this was aok. i've read about the pressure relief spring?, anyone have any info on this or a "how to"?

Other than the above, its fantastic! has anyone actually managed to drive anywhere without laughing/grinning ear to ear?

Thanks in advance for any help/thoughts

Darren.

[JedSteel]

Welcome to the fold Darreni. I too have a 97 4.2 Cerbera which I've owned fron new. Don't know the answers to all your questions, but tyhe following may help:
- knocking from the rear on application/release of the loud pedal: could be your rear anti-roll bar bushes are sticking. Ask your dealer to grease these when next in;
- there will probably be some suitable alternative ht leads out there somewhere, but the items on my Cerbie are bespoke items. TMS changed mine in March at between £6.05 and £6.86 each depending on length;
- oil pressure: sounds low to me, but values seem to vary quite a lot from one Cerbera to another. Mine has always shown between 40 & 60 psi, occasionally dropping to just below 40 when hot;
- that grin on your face: don't expect it to disappear anytime soon. I'm still wearing mine after 5 years.

Hang around for some more replies. Others more knowledgeable than I will no doubt add to the above.

[deanpluthero]

noise at the back could be the anti-roll bar or knackered shock give jools an email: [e-mail]

as for the HT leads check the casings haven't cracked...
oil pressure does sound very low... my needle stuck straight up around 40-45 psi

Dean

[olly]

We've got a 97 4.2 as well !

Oil pressue sounds slightly lower than normal...
Ours is 55-60 at idle (when cold), then once warm, idle drops to about 30, and when driving is abour 50-55.

Has the car got a warranty ? It is hasn't, will probably be worth inversting in one...

Welcome to the fold !

[Beej]

Congrats.. best move you ever made (till you get a 4.5 of course). I may not be right on this but can I suggest some alternative diagnoses:-

the rear knocking on take up/back off is more likely to be drive related than ARB - check your diff mounting bolts urgently. Loose rod ends or ARB mountings would clunk all the time on a bumpy road or in corners.

the idle and stutter is quite possibly the throttle pots. I'm not saying don't change the leads but definitely do check the throttle pots - they are cheap and rapidly go off tune.

I'm no expert but I am gaining (daily) experience of the Cerb's own sweet ways. When its sorted you can play star treck (jumping to warp speed) all day long.

[gazzab]

I would get the oil pressure checked eg relief spring.
On my newly rebuilt 4.5 I get 80 psi when cold and under load. This drops to about 70psi when hot. Idle depends on quite how hot the car is - anywhere between 20 - 50 psi. But it always picksup to 70psi when under load.

[oliverkelly]

Knocking could also be rear brake pads knocking, which stop when you slightly press the brake. This is nothing to be concerned about.

My 96 4.2 has a pressure when started of 40, which drops to just under 30 when hot and at idle.

[madasahatter]

Just to add another users experience on the oil pressure.

'96 4.2 Cold Oil pressure 60
Idle warm 30-40 dependant on engine temperature
3000rpm and above when warm 50-55

Steve

[simond001]

Oil Pressure relief spring DIY job or dealer??

I just had major service, and oil pressure hasnt risen, although i dont appear to be losing any.