I've got a white one!

[StagnJag]

I've done it, taken the plunge, bitten the bullet, and bought myself a stag.

I Picked it up yesterday. The drive back was awesome. Just wished I could have had the top down but can't exactly put the hardtop in the boot!

The 'shakedown' on the 130 mile drive home has unearthed a few problems I thought I'd share with you guys! (It had only done 30 or so miles in the previous 4 months). The body, interior, hood and hard top are all good and it was serviced by the place I bought it from, so I am hoping that the mechanicals are not going to be too much trouble!

Firstly the overdrive that was working perfectly when I test drove it the week before, and was still working when I picked it up, decided to stop working when I really could have used it on the motorway. I am hoping this is the gearstick wire issue so that is my first stag weekend job..

Secondly, It has a major vibration at 40 mph. From the front somewhere. Enough to make the steering wheel unpleasant to hold. Absolutley fine below 40 and above about 45. Any ideas? Ok most of the time, just a nuisance when following a lorry on the way back in a 40 zone! Unfortunately didn't pick that up on the test drive.:X. Wheel bearing maybe?

Thirdly and most worryingly is a strange deep vibration from, or around the engine. It isn't a knocking or a rattle and isn't continuous. Occurs either stationary or moving and can occur with the clutch depressed so I guess not gearbox related either. Engine note is fine when driving and it seems to run smoothly, although idle is a little bit lumpy. It wasn't doing this when I started my journey home. I have only observed this from the drivers seat so far, I will have a poke around under the bonnet over the weekend and see if I can pinpoint it a bit better. In the meantime any clues.

All advice will be greatfully recieved.

I hope I haven't bought a beast! (Number plate digits are 666 :shock.

Cheers

Dave

[seaside bill]

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Dave

Congratulations on your new toy.

With a bit of luck your problems may be simple to fix

Overdrive problems are more often than not electrical
Vibration: may just be that the front wheels needs balancing?
Strange deep vibration: check the viscous coupling on the fan for lateral play (shouldn't be any)

Good luck

By the way, just noticed the background... is that Poole Harbour?

[StagnJag]

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Hi Bill,

Thanks for the quick reply. I will post back when I have had a good look over the weekend.

Well spotted for the background image It is Poole. Not actually my pic to be honest, I nabbed it from the Garages website where I bought the car from.

[stustag]

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Hi Dave

Nice Stag there ace aren't they!

Check the rear gearbox mounting which is made of rubber and can break due to age and fatigue.

This causes the symptoms you describe and is usually overlooked even by the best mechanics!

Other things to check as stated are wheel balance, ball joints any other mountings bushes etc near the front end.

Also check the UJ's for wear and grease them whilst your under there.

The strange deep vibration can be the gearbox mounting as well as the viscous coupling.

Stuart

[Andy Rundell]

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Hi Dave,

Re: the vibration - i had the same with mine when i bought it, checked usual bearings/balance, ended up being the o/s lower ball joint that was worn, i actually renewed both sides at the same time and its fine.

cheers .........Andy

[StagnJag]

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Hi Stustag,

Yes Stags are nice, I agree wholehartedly! Based on the drive back from Poole, It is more comfortable to drive on the long journeys than my new fangled x-type so itching to put some miles in, once I have investigated the current niggles! The 'other car' got jealous this morning and decided to put up a fight and was unusually a s@d to start. Got it going in the end but had to drive to work with no working dials. It was in a better mood on the way home and is now working fine - self repairing cars amazing! I wish the stag would do that.

I have wanted an old british classic since I was about 15. I wanted to buy a knackered Austin Gypsy belonging to a neighbor but, quite rightly my father wouldn't let me! 20 years later I have finally taken the plunge!

Gut feeling says gearbox mountings are more likely than the fan coupling, although I would prefer the coupling as I have no access to a workshop and have to work in the carpark of the flat I live in! Awkward but not impossible! (Mine lives outside too - no nice plush Stag House for me ).

[StagnJag]

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First weekend Report!

Just had a poke around underthe bonnet at the fan. There is about 3-5mm of front to back play at the outer edge of the fan blades, and they are free to spin around. If I recall correctly from somewhere else on the forum, I should have only been able to turn the fan about a 1/4 turn, is this correct? If so then the kenlowe on the other side of the rad saved my bacon on the long drive home!

Cheers

Dave

[chopperman]

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Hi Dave,

Why not come along and bring your new love to the Kent Area meeting next Monday.

Details are in the Stag Magazine.

Cheers,

Chopperman

[stustag]

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The fan should if you grab a blade and let it spin should stop within 1/4 of a turn. There should be not play in the bearing at all so I suggest you get a new viscous on order before driving anywhere!:shock:

Good luck hope this is the only problem you have as sometimes to many issue early on can dampen your enthusiasm.

Stuart

[NickA]

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StagnJag wrote:

First weekend Report!

Just had a poke around underthe bonnet at the fan. There is about 3-5mm of front to back play at the outer edge of the fan blades, and they are free to spin around. If I recall correctly from somewhere else on the forum, I should have only been able to turn the fan about a 1/4 turn, is this correct? If so then the kenlowe on the other side of the rad saved my bacon on the long drive home!

Cheers

Dave

If you spin the fan by hand it should stop after about 1/4 of a turn. Are you saying yours spins freely?The 3-5mm play sounds like the viscous coupling bearings could be on the way out. I'd change it before it get any worse and theblades catch the rad.

If you've got a kenlowe you could do away with the standard fan.I've keptmine as I like the extra redundancy it offers.

Nick

[StagnJag]

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Hi Chaps,

Just an update,

I have spent a large chunk of the weekend under, in, and around the new wheels, I have sorted a few things out.

The overdrive problem was electrical, the switch wasn't working properly. The wiring seemed to be ok but was actually a piece of electrical flex. New switch and wire on order. (The wire was looking a bit chewed and the connectors weren't reuseable). Made a temporary fix and took it for a test drive. Came back 60 miles later! .

I had a good look underneath, the gearbox mountings seem to be fine so that isn't the source of the vibration. At the other end of the engine, I have ordered a replacement viscous coupling. While under the car I discovered a nice pair of new stainless silencers, still have the rimmers part No labels on the bottom.. Have also spotted a minor score mark on the propshaft located about a third of the way along the silencer although I can't see anything that could of caused it. It looks quite recent though.:?.

StuStag, It would take a lot to dampen my enthusiasm, it's an old car I was expecting a few jobs. (The list is getting longer but nothing to serious or urgent). That is one of the reasons I wanted an old car, so I could get my hands dirty and learn something new along the way.

Chopperman, Unfortunately I won't make it to the meeting on monday. Maybe next month when I have got over this cold and fixed a few more bits. It would be good to meet a few fellow Stag owners!

Nick, I will be keeping both fans. The traffic around here is rubbish. The drive home from work can be anything between 7 and 40 mins! (Won't be doing it in the Stag often though.).

Next weekends jobs - assuming the bits arrive is to replace the viscous coupler, finish off the O/D Wiring and get the tyres checked. I think they are of 1985 vintage! (code on 4 out of 5 tyres is "DOT NDJ3 YH2 425". The other one ends in 193).

Thanks for everyones comments up to now.

Cheers

Dave