3 Weeks of my new 3.2

[9hellheaven]

Hello Everyone..

Well the last three weeks have flown by, and having now munched my way through the 600 mile shake down barrier I can honestly say what a great car the 3.2 is. It would be unfair to compare my 3.2 and 9972s, not because one is any better than the other, but because they are so far apart in terms of different pleasures. Red or white wine for various foods and occasions springs to mind!.

I have ran the car ragged..and I have not spared the horses so to speak..It runs/handles and feels spot on in every way. Its booked in for a full service next week, then I am goingto give it the old Zymol treatment in the garage. The only thing I have noticed is a slight groan when the car is very warm and I am setting off. I think it maybe the hand brake that needs letting off a little (are the hand brakes on shoes or the discs?) maybe it could be the clutch but thats nice and light at seems to operate perfectly.

Everything works perfectly..the heating system a little to well!..The only thing not working is the headlamp washers.

It really does run well and I am chuffed to bits..on the leakdown test all cylinders were on 7% but with only now 56k miles from new hope to see at least 75k miles before I top end the engine.

Great days.. lets hope the weather stays mild and dry..who knows winter could be the new summer!!

[Chris_911]

slight groan when the car is very warm and I am setting off

 

Only when warm?

 

To a degree 'they all do that ' - every 3.2 I have driven (OK, not ahuge number, but everyone was the same) exhibited some driveline noise when pulling away, particularly if trying to trickle along in say 2nd gear. The shift rod on these cars is prone to rattle - Porsche issued a rather unsophisticated service 'fix' - and this may be what you are hearing.

[9hellheaven]

Only when warm?

 

To a degree 'they all do that ' - every 3.2 I have driven (OK, not ahuge number, but everyone was the same) exhibited some driveline noise when pulling away, particularly if trying to trickle along in say 2nd gear. The shift rod on these cars is prone to rattle - Porsche issued a rather unsophisticated service 'fix' - and this may be what you are hearing.

 

Hello Chris

 

Its a bit like a groan with a bit of a creek..a creeky groan I guess! Have you ever driven a car off (not just a porsche) and left a little hand brake on? Its like that sound. I am fairly sure its only when the car is hot, thats what got me thinking if the hand brake is a little to tight on the adjustment...and it does feel well adjusted thats what could cause it, allowing for expansion of the shoes/pads through the heat generation.

To be honest I have been wizzing around like a 18 year old and just enjoying the car..maybe I should check when that sound apears in more detail next trip out. At first I thought..oh maybe the clutch because it sometimes coincides with setting off in first and the clutch coming up but I think thats just coincidence.

[Dick]

Everything works perfectly..the heating system a little to well!..The only thing not working is the headlamp washers.

Hi, glad you are having fun - but then you can't fail in an IB can you??

 

Two quick things for you on the above:

 

Heating - do a search on here, but almost certainly your heater boxes have rusted up and the little pizza holes are not opening properly or valve inside the tube is not closing properly. Can be an easy fix if you are lucky, or can be more complex if not. I posted a load about it around a year ago.

 

Headlamp washers - have you tried them with the headlights on? I haven't ever tried mine on the IB, but I remember the ones on my toyota only work when the headlamps are switched on! I thought they were broken for a while!

 

Rich

[Von Twinzig]

Hello Chris

 

Its a bit like a groan with a bit of a creek..a creeky groan I guess! Have you ever driven a car off (not just a porsche) and left a little hand brake on? Its like that sound. I am fairly sure its only when the car is hot, thats what got me thinking if the hand brake is a little to tight on the adjustment...and it does feel well adjusted thats what could cause it, allowing for expansion of the shoes/pads through the heat generation.

To be honest I have been wizzing around like a 18 year old and just enjoying the car..maybe I should check when that sound apears in more detail next trip out. At first I thought..oh maybe the clutch because it sometimes coincides with setting off in first and the clutch coming up but I think thats just coincidence.

Sounds like the 3.2 Wookie noise to me

[Lesworth]

Headlamp washers - have you tried them with the headlights on? I haven't ever tried mine on the IB, but I remember the ones on my toyota only work when the headlamps are switched on! I thought they were broken for a while!

 

Rich

 

The lights do need to be on for the washers to work. Not sure how useful they are though, many on here have removed them as they can leak causing potential rust issues or maybe to save a bit more weight...

[9hellheaven]

Hi, glad you are having fun - but then you can't fail in an IB can you??

 

Two quick things for you on the above:

 

Heating - do a search on here, but almost certainly your heater boxes have rusted up and the little pizza holes are not opening properly or valve inside the tube is not closing properly. Can be an easy fix if you are lucky, or can be more complex if not. I posted a load about it around a year ago.

 

Headlamp washers - have you tried them with the headlights on? I haven't ever tried mine on the IB, but I remember the ones on my toyota only work when the headlamps are switched on! I thought they were broken for a while!

 

Rich

 

Hi Rich..Sorry I should have said the heat exchanges are spot on and the system works very well...I was trying to say its very good..a bit to good! I will try the washers with the lights on, I should have done that first I guess. The car goes for its service a week Friday so I will ask John to check out the groan and report back with his findings.

Thanks Rich.

[Dick]

No worries. I was just thinking of my heating that didn't quite turn off, and heated my legs near to scolding point when I first picked up my car! As long as yours turns off too, then you are sorted

 

Wooky noise - tell me about it Twinny! I am free from that issue now, just a bit of brake binding.

 

Rich

[Von Twinzig]

No worries. I was just thinking of my heating that didn't quite turn off, and heated my legs near to scolding point when I first picked up my car! As long as yours turns off too, then you are sorted

 

Wooky noise - tell me about it Twinny! I am free from that issue now, just a bit of brake binding.

 

Rich

Got some new fluid so will take the brakes apart and clean everything up and bleed them this weekend Dick. Hopefully that will sort it.

[strosek34]

Oh no !!! not the dreaded wookie noise

[9hellheaven]

Oh no !!! not the dreaded wookie noise

 

Well my 3.2 has gone in for a full service. Dropped the car today and John will give it a good going over tmrw. I asked about the wookie noise and he said its down to the pistons sticking in the calipers, no big deal really so I will just ignore it until the time somes for the pistons to come out and reseal etc.

I have done 750miles since a bought her a month ago today and without wanting to tempt fate I am very very happy with the car. I put an optimate charger plug on my battery just to keep it nice and maintained over the winter months. The only thing that has happend is my seatbelt warning lense decided to fly off yesterday at high speed! Ile clip it back when I get my car back tmrw. Will report back tmrw with the results!...Fingers crossed.

[mylesG]

I was just thinking of my heating that didn't quite turn off, and heated my legs near to scolding point when I first picked up my car! As long as yours turns off too, then you are sorted

 

Something similiar happened to mine. Down too a bent wire by the heater boxes which meant that one was always on, hence the blistering heat. And they are quite better heaters than water cooled stock. My spannerman managed to bend the wire which solved the problem.

 

MG

[johndglynn]

Pistons sticking in the calipers is a big deal - get it fixed! Should be cheap.

[Lesworth]

Something similiar happened to mine. Down too a bent wire by the heater boxes which meant that one was always on, hence the blistering heat. And they are quite better heaters than water cooled stock. My spannerman managed to bend the wire which solved the problem.

 

MG

Exactly the same for me. Bent wire = not enough tension in the wire to push the heater box closed. Straightened it and life is good.

[9hellheaven]

Well got the car back Friday with no problems to speak of. Had a full service,and also changed the gearbox oil and nothing to speak of stuck to the magnet.

I havent noticed the wookie noise (brakes) so I will keep an ear on things (thanks John) what else..Oh yeah spoke about some improvments to the car, so will be having new shocks fitted in the spring and also drop the car down slightly. I think also the track rods were mentionede they dont need changing but it would seem you can put better ones on to improve the handling. I think also that I will have all the black bits under the car re-stove enamelled.

Cant really think of a whole lot more to do just yet, going to details the car in my garage over the next few weeks, and just maybe take the wheels, sils and bumpers of to clean and inspect. Is this a good way to get to know your car..taking it to bloody bits!?.. maybe not. Good fun anyway!!..

If anyone can think of anything I can do that maybe isnt included in the service but helps the car I am all ears..Lubrication of bits and pieces that sort of thing. Thanks.

[Chris_911]

Is this a good way to get to know your car..taking it to bloody bits!?.. maybe not.

 

Yes, absolutely. Just be prepared fro what you may/will find.

[johndglynn]

If anyone can think of anything I can do that maybe isnt included in the service but helps the car I am all ears

Put Waynes '101 Projects' on your Christmas list and start on those jobs on Boxing Day.

 

First thing to check for is wide open throttle - do a search for info and make sure you check it. Number one thing to check on all impact bumpers once you have bought it.

[jevvy]

All sounding good, couple of thoughts:

 

tie/track rods can be updated to the turbo versions if yours are tired and you need to change them anyway, the turbo versions do away with a rubber bush and have a more direct connection to the wheels from the rack hence a slightly 'better' feel.

 

Taking these cars to bits is great fun and relatively easy to do - easiest car I have ever worked on.

 

You could also check the following:

• Full throttle reached at the throttle when pedal is on the floor - adjust using the various screw adjusters in the linkages.
  
• Grease throttle lever under car thats attached to the gearbox, these often crud up and become sticky.
  
• Empty most of the water out the front washer bottle and replace with a liter or so of nice new stuff.
  
• Check the sunroof drain holes are clear - careful blowing them clear with air as I have read that you can pop-off one of the tubes behind the roof liner which is a pig to get back on.
  
• Loosen up the pivots on the rear heater boxes (control the heat from the heat exchangers to the chassis) to get proper heating operation.
  
• Try to find a Bentley service manual for cheap.
  

 

Some searching on here will also bring up some canny DIY missions, good luck.

[9hellheaven]

Well I think the first job is to remove the sills..we had a bit of a look pre-purchase while the car was on the ramp with a tourch. I would like to take the sills off..i guess its just the three 8m bolts more or less and they will come away. May as well take the front and rear bumpers off and have a shufty as well..its a good excuse to clean those hard to reach places and get to know the car. After that I will start to look at some of the jobs mentioned above..O

 

Well I think the first job is to remove the sills..we had a bit of a look pre-purchase while the car was on the ramp with a torch. I would like to take the sills off..i guess its just the three 8m bolts more or less and they will come away. May as well take the front and rear bumpers off and have a shufty as well..its a good excuse to clean those hard to reach places and get to know the car. After that I will start to look at some of the jobs mentioned above..Ok anyone got any instructions? do,s and dont,s etc. Thanks....

[Chris_911]

The sill covers are attached with the three lower bolts that you can see and a number of self-tapping screws hidden behind the upper rubber trim.

 

Remove the sill cover end caps and work the rubber trim out. Remove the lower three bolts and plastic spacers and then the upper self-tappers. Note that the torsion bar cover is completely separate from the sill cover and is held in place by the two end-most self tappers that also secure the sill cover.

 

When re-fitting I found the rubber strip to be a pain - lubricate it up using some rubber lubricant and slide it in from one end (stop sniggering at the back.....).

 

The end caps take a beating - maybe get them powder coated while they are off or speak to Tripe about some new ones?

 

Dinitrol metallic underbody wax is good to use over the top of sound painted surfaces to give another layer of protection.

 

Front & rear bumper removal is a little more involved, but there are plenty of posts on here by people who have undertaken these jobs. I'd probably start with the front - if your car is anything like mine you will not believe how much mud and silt will have collected on top of the windscreen washer bottle and behind the passenger headlight. At least with the rear you can generally clean off the crud without disassembly (stick your head up in the wheelarch and see what I mean)>

Edited November 12, 2007 by Chris_911

[9hellheaven]

We have sill seperation Houston!..well the drivers side anyway.

I cant believe how good it is! Not a hint of rust apart from slight blistering around that 2 pence size whole near the back. Its mint and much much better than I could have thought possible.

It all wants cleaning off..road dirt and waxy oily stuff. I am going to get a stiff brush (of the door step type) and clean the whole thing from back to front. I have noticed two little clear plastic grommets on the exposed middle sills..is it worth removing them and firing some finnigans wax oil into what I assume will be the inner sills?

Next job is the front bumper..then turn the car around and tackle the other sill. I am very upbeat now I have seen its all ok..I was fairly sure after the PPI but of course the sills were still in place then.

Happy days!!

[9hellheaven]

Well ime excited anyway!! Thats the other one off and its all mint..Cant believe its so good! I have wiped all the bits down and both sides of the car with the old wd40 and dry rags and its all very good. Just got to find the thread for the front bumper removal now. At this rate I should have the car back to its basic components by weekend!!