To the tune of 'Always look on the bright side.....'

[RobP]

Just spent 2 months with AdrianW, Yellowshed and Skip from NL hunting down and fixing a mysterious problem where the engine cut-out momentarily when under full load . Although it dosn’t make much sense, the problem turned out to be no more than a duff bit of low pressure fuel hose from filter to pump, and with that replaced with some high pressure hose, the problem disappeared along with the infernal buzzing that the pump used to make.
I then did a nice European tour finishing with 2 dry days at Spa, where the car behaved impeccably and was an absolute joy to drive. For those that havn’t been to Spa take a gander at this - shows the track from La Source down to the famous Eau Rouge and then up and over Raidillion (which most folk still think of as Eau Rouge), but it’s quite rare in a photo (at least any of those that I take!) to be able to capture the gradients involved. So far, so good.






Met a couple of ex-Noble owners in their Porkers who were bemoaning the reliability of Nobles –inadvisably, I adopted the usual Noble-owners Nelson response (I see no reliability problems!). Oh Dear, big mistake.
Next day travelling back to UK I noticed a high pitched whine when accelerating (all gears) and although I made it back OK, I’ve just heard from Skip that the diff bearings have gone and so now it’s an engine out job with complete gearbox/diff rebuild.... aargh

Some things in life are bad,
They can really make you mad,
Other things just make you swear and curse,
now break into chorus of ‘ Always Look on the Bright Side of Life..’
(Could easily be the theme tune to Noble ownership)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i35WRFDcKGo&fea...

Would I give up my beloved Noble and settle for some uber-machine? Never.
But I also promise never again to tell porkies to porkie-owners about the reliability of Nobles. It’s asking for trouble.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

The bright side is when you've got the stronger box in (with an oil cooler) you can turn the wick up a bit

[gadgeroonie]

there is an upgrade for diff bearings you can fit to the box

might be worth fitting an anti friction lube to the box when it goes back in and maybe an oil cooler / pump

[mikey_p]

I'm gutted for you dad, I really am. But on the bright side those pics are damned good so all the fault finding wasn't a waste . (but i do believe you now owe Yellowshed and AndrianW a Jalsa Ghar )

Guess I'll have to start paying you back all that I owe you now that I have a job, and to prevent you needing to get another to pay for the car .

I've tried to give you a ring but guess you're at the Three Horse Shoes so I'll speak to you later, but my car turned out to be coolant in the spark plug hole/housing thingy-majig...this time anyway.

[Mr Noble]

Gutted for you Roberto!! But tbh, you have had a pretty good time out of it considering the number of tdays its done!! You seem to have had very few issues with your car overall. Most german car that spend a good amount of time on track will have the same or more costly problems over time. I know our resident ex-noble-owning Porker driver, used to sing about the reliability and relative cheapness of tracking his GT3 until recently when a few rather eye watering bills came in for broken bits!

Let me know if you book a Donny or Brands GP day cause I'm keen to get on track with you in my new toy and see how it (and I) compare to a well driven M400

Greg

[DanH]

Mr Noble said:

Gutted for you Roberto!! But tbh, you have had a pretty good time out of it considering the number of tdays its done!! You seem to have had very few issues with your car overall. Most german car that spend a good amount of time on track will have the same or more costly problems over time. I know our resident ex-noble-owning Porker driver, used to sing about the reliability and relative cheapness of tracking his GT3 until recently when a few rather eye watering bills came in for broken bits!

lol you do talk bks young Greg! So far the tally is 2 wheel bearings, diff rebuild as the plates were worn (hadn't completely gone, but wasn't locking up as much as it should), new clutch. Can't really complain about any of that. The biggest bill has been that 4 way titanium suspension, but that was self inflicted Got a feeling my cats may be on the way out too but will cross that bridge later... None of these issues have left me stranded, in fact only one that required stopping a trackday has been the wheel bearings on 2 occasions out of quite a few trackdays near and far. Think I spent more on the noble in a year than I did on those repairs I've listed in 3 and a bit years and I did a lot less trackdays p/a in the noble.

Anyway sorry to read about your problems with the car. You got some nice pics!

[RobP]

Mr Noble said:

Gutted for you Roberto!! But tbh, you have had a pretty good time out of it considering the number of tdays its done!! You seem to have had very few issues with your car overall. Most german car that spend a good amount of time on track will have the same or more costly problems over time. I know our resident ex-noble-owning Porker driver, used to sing about the reliability and relative cheapness of tracking his GT3 until recently when a few rather eye watering bills came in for broken bits!

Let me know if you book a Donny or Brands GP day cause I'm keen to get on track with you in my new toy and see how it (and I) compare to a well driven M400

Greg

Yeah, 'spose you're right. It's done over 25 track days, and this is the first major breakage I've had. And as Phil and Gadge have said, with the new strengthened gearbox and diff (avec le cooling mod) all will be hunky dory. It will continue to allow me to indulge in my favourite hobby of Porker-bashing Assuming all is fixed I'll be at Anglesey on 25/26th Oct, so if you fancy an outing, just sign up with BaT.

[RobP]

mikey_p said:

Guess I'll have to start paying you back all that I owe you now that I have a job, and to prevent you needing to get another to pay for the car .

You heard it here, folks..!

[mgbond]

Rob, sorry to hear your pain.

You not considering removing the bar, rather than the engine out?

Bondy

[RobP]

mgbond said:

Rob, sorry to hear your pain.

You not considering removing the bar, rather than the engine out?

Bondy

Cheers Bondy - I'm hoping the engine won't have to come out any time soon (after the current problem has been sorted, that is)- so it probably dosn't save much on time to start cutting/welding/ putting in brackets etc. Besides, I just don't like the sound of cutting holes in my chassis. I'm speaking to Chillidog tomorrow and see what his thoughts are.

[mgbond]

No worries,

I also thought these diff's were indestructable?

Bondy

[gadgeroonie]

the quaife diff is indestructable - but the bearings that pass the power to the driveshafts are not Quaife - probably a standard ford part

the simple test is grab hold of the driveshaft and move it up and down - if there is movement, your diff bearings have had it

[Mr Noble]

DanH said:

Got a feeling my cats may be on the way out too but will cross that bridge later......

OMG Daniel, if you're so poor now, having spent all your money fixing your car, that you're having to get rid of your lovely cats, then please get in touch as I can give them a good home.

[CTO3]

hi rob

sorry to hear that, unfortunately know the pain of an engine out job, don't worry, will all be worth it in the end.


conleth

Edited by CTO3 on Wednesday 24th September 16:58