Fault finding issues in a car

Cliff R · Post by **Cliff R** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:52 am

Just wanted to relay my experiences last week with the L series.
About tuesday a noise appeared on the engine.
This noise started off as a tick/rub/knock etc.
I listened to the engine many times trying to pin point where the issue was coming from.
By turning my head in different directions above and below the car the noise really did seem to be coming from the Crankshaft pulley.
I removed the A/C and the alternator belts and the noise disapeared.
I re-attached the belts one at a time and the noise came back when I put the alternator belt back on. Then the noise got worse and then better. This wasnt the solution. I moved the wiring loom that runs along the front of the car under the engine fan down and around but this wasnt easy as it was cable tied on place after the lift kit installation.
I moved onto the A/C and alternator and they were spinning freely.
Then the noise came back even with the A/C and the alternator belts off.
Finally I removed the sump guard, removed the cable ties off the wiring loom and pulled the loom right away from the bottom of the engine fan.
The noise stopped.
When the lift kit was installed and with the engine dropping the 2" so did the fan. This put the fan very close to the wiring loom so I cable tied it solid to the body work so it couldnt move up into the fan.
The result was, and for some reason, all OK for the last thousand ks or so and then something must have loosened up and started rubbing on the fan.
No damage was done but certainly could have in time.
The point of all this is if a noise or an issue appears keep an open mind as to what it could be. With my noise it at all times appeared to be coming from behind the crank pulley and I certainly did have thoughts (very briefly) on removing it if all else failed. The acoustics of a car are amazing and can lead you to all the wrong areas. I have noticed since the kit installation the engine noise is greater than what it was. Maybe the lowering of the engine reduced the noise dampening of the engine originally being located up higher in the engine bay. Who knows.
Also, in my mind the wiring loom couldnt have been a problem as I specifically spent ages securing it away from the fan though it remained very close to the fan when the sump guard was installed.
I currently have the wiring loom attached to the sump guard via cable ties untill I can work something else out. I think I will go another thermo fan like the A/C fan. This worked a treat for the MY as it is a touring wagon so came standed with 2 thermo fans. It was never an issue.
Moral of this story, if something happens to your car, take a breath and go logically about elimination but dont dismiss things as being fine even if you previously did something in the car and believe it to be OK (eg, previously secured the wiring loom).

Anyone know where to fit a temperature sensor in an L series if fitting an aftermarket thermo fan instead of the original engine fan ?

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:37 am

I'd tee in to where the temp sender is now (just below the thermostat) or tap into the same said water pipe.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:55 pm

Cliff R wrote:Anyone know where to fit a temperature sensor in an L series if fitting an aftermarket thermo fan instead of the original engine fan ?

Tap into the original radiator thermo switch, well, the original system anyway. Worked a treat for me:

It's simple and it's reversible!

Cheers

Bennie