Various annoyances...

Topic: Various annoyances... (Read 3658 times) previous topic - next topic

Various annoyances...

May 31, 2005, 01:27:51 PM

Hi guys. I've had an 83 5.0 Thunderbird for the better part of a year now. The car generally runs quite well but there are some nagging problems that I'd like to track down. For starters there's the knock. Only comes up after the car warms up like 10-15 minutes into the drive and is mostly noticeable when the car is stopped at a light. I really don't know the difference between a rapping, tapping, knocking, ticking, or a saxophone...is there a site where I can listen to those sounds? Around the same time the knock shows up so does the "Engine" light. Also dormant until I stop somewhere. It tends to flicker lightly but can come on solid if I do any intense driving like on the highway and eventually it can stick on entirely. The knock also increases in intensity on the highway. I've heard all sorts of explanations for these but I wanted the opinions of people who actually have the same car. I'm planning to replace the lifters and head gaskets this weekend. It may not have an effect on the noise but I feel it's worth doing. And something else that doesn't bug me quite as much but bugs me enough is this steady light sing/grinding noise I get. It doesn't show up at idle until I give the car a little gas and then there it is. I normall can't hear it from inside the car unless I pass by certain objects and it echos back to me. Oh and I don't know if this is relevant to the problem but the car vibrates quite a bit when stopped. Also the knocking and Engine light problems don't surface in the winter. Any insight from you guys would be helpful, I know I've typed up quite a post here. Thanks.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #1 – May 31, 2005, 01:42:29 PM

try the thermostat and check your idle speed. My freinds car had the same problem. His car was overcooling in the summer and that can cause the car to idle low sometimes. It could also be your idle speed or timing.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #2 – May 31, 2005, 01:48:29 PM

I actually replaced the Thermostat and the radiator not long ago. It didn't make a difference. As for the idle and timing I think the mechanic adjusted those when I had the carburetor replaced. Lol. I'm intrigued though, what exactly causes overcooling?

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #3 – May 31, 2005, 02:20:35 PM

Well actually I guess I don't know if the idle speed was really adjusted. They told me they adjusted the timing. Maybe I'll mess around with the idle this week and see what it gets me.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #4 – May 31, 2005, 02:33:37 PM

overcooling is when the t-stat opens premeturly. It is when the engine temp is too low.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #5 – May 31, 2005, 03:32:40 PM

I see. Well I'm pretty sure I put in a standard 180 deg thermostat. The previous one was broken in pieces when we found it so it may have been a problem but shouldn't be now I don't think. As for the idle speed I'm aware of how to adjust it but do you think I want to go up or down? I've had comments from people before that my idle seemed high so I'm thinking down is the way to go. Trial and error I suppose.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #6 – May 31, 2005, 04:12:53 PM

Is your 83 equipped with a carburetor or a CFI (Central Fuel Injection)

There is a number of items that could be causing what you are describing. If you have had carburetor work done, I would look at the vacuum lines make sure there all connected. Have your timing checked before doing any carb work. The timing on the 5.0L should be 10 degrees BTC. Point of concern, if your carb was adjust prior to timing, this could effect your timing causing high idle speed when stopped at a light or engine missing at hiway speeds. One should set the timing before doing any carb work not doing this could cause your "engine light" to come on due to increased emissions.

The grinding noise you are hearing is most likely coming from your drive train or brakes.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #7 – May 31, 2005, 04:46:39 PM

Sounds to me like low oil pressure....esp if the light comes on once the car warms up, or at idle.

Sounds like you have more pressing issues than v/c gaskets and lifters.....

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #8 – May 31, 2005, 05:00:44 PM

Quote from: Chuck W

Sounds to me like low oil pressure....esp if the light comes on once the car warms up, or at idle.

Sounds like you have more pressing issues than v/c gaskets and lifters.....

word

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #9 – May 31, 2005, 05:05:56 PM

I'm getting that knock now and I wasn't getting it before, and now I'm showing as low as 6-7 PSI oil pressure at warm idle under load.. where before I was getting at least 12-13 under the same conditions. I'm thinking my oil change experiment was a bust, and now that it's getting into the 90s down here I might need to use something a little bit thicker than what I used this time. (4 quarts of MaxLife 5w30 and 1 qt. MaxLife Synthetic 10w30)

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #10 – May 31, 2005, 05:13:23 PM

The timing was actually adjusted prior to replacing the carburetor because I originally went to the garage for a tune-up and on their recommendation I went ahead with the new carb. There's some evidence that the car has TBI but I haven't gotten under the carb to find out. I've been told I may have low oil pressure, I plan to have it tested one of these days. As for the point of it doing this at idle, it only does it when in gear. Shift to park and the problem is gone.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #11 – May 31, 2005, 05:18:05 PM

I've actually tried using a straight 30W oil to quiet the knock but it didn't do anything for me. That's what's in there now but with the work I'm about to do I bought some Quaker State Advanced Engine full synthetic to put back in. Can't hurt to try.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #12 – May 31, 2005, 05:43:53 PM

I'm thinking of MaxLife 10w30 with a quart of MaxLife Synthetic 10w40, or something along those lines.. for this oil change only. I want to try to limit the MaxLife use to once a year. Some have said if you use it all the time and then switch to something else, it'll dry out the seals its meant to swell up.. but that once a year should be fine. (of course, almost none of this stuff is proven, and is chosen about as scientifically as what beer we choose to drink)

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #13 – June 01, 2005, 09:09:22 AM

check vacume hoses

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #14 – June 01, 2005, 09:24:38 AM

If your bearings or oil pump are that shot...no oil mixing voodoo is going to solve the problem. Start saving for an engine rebuild..... You're on borrowed time.