A couple of bits (including the clutch)

[Benmac]

Hello all, not been on here for a short while as I've been busy. Still enjoying the QP. I'm currently considering selling both of my Lotuses and getting just one ing to replace it. I have to test drive a couple of things but currently an Evora of some flavour is winning (yes I am a sucker for punishment). I need to go and drive a GT as well but while having two Maseratis would be hilariously decadent (especially if i got one in the same colour scheme as the QP) I'm thinking I'd rather have something more different to the QP as it were.

For anyone that is interested the Evora really is a stunning thing to drive. All the fluidity and poise of my exige but without the crashiness, noise and general "track car" behaviour of my exige. Horses for courses I suppose but after 10 years of Elise's/ exiges I'm fed up of bleeding ears. I only drove the S though so now I'm convinced I need one of those rather than the normal one and they're not as yet down to the sort of money I'd be prepared to pay for one.

So anyway, quick question. Is the car making a funny squeaky grinding noise when pulling away when it's cold a good indicator that the clutch is goosed? Once warm it's ok and I'm not noticing any horrid slippage but it is due one in terms of miles since it's last and I did budget for it when buying the car; just thought it might have lasted a touch longer.

 

[Andyk]

Hi Benmac, don't blame you for going Evora...A great car....Some lovely ones out there and deals to be had.......A more modern Lotus but it still has all the Lotus brilliant traits...Go for it I say.

 

[2b1ask1]

The car making a funny squeaky grinding noise when pulling away when it's cold.....

I'd be looking at rusty brake disks and drums as the likely culpret first, they are heavily iron rich and rust freely especially in damp conditions.... Just a suggestion.

 

[Benmac]

The car making a funny squeaky grinding noise when pulling away when it's cold.....

I'd be looking at rusty brake disks and drums as the likely culpret first, they are heavily iron rich and rust freely especially in damp conditions.... Just a suggestion.

It's a thought but it's more to do with the application of power and the discs are fine. Actually I have some experience of just this. Elise brakes are awful for getting jammed on if they get wet then the car is parked up. I once washed my old 111s. Parked it back in the garage then left it for about a week. Coming back to it I was used to the rears sticking a bit and then getting a bit of a clunk as they released under a bit of power. This time the fronts had stuck. Applying brute force to the problem I did a slow burnout down my drive before I sussed what was wrong and they clunked free as I went over the kerb.

 

[Simon]

Possibly rusty/badly adjusted handbrake shoes? They use some silly small shoes inboard that expand outwards sort of inside the hub.

 

[conaero]

It needs further investigation but a squealing noise on pulling away is the spigot bearing, it's a known issue and if proven means Maserati have to replace it. This is great news for you as you can supply them with the clutch parts and you get it fitted for free.

Loz is the man in this area send him a PM.

 

[lozcb]

Quote[So anyway, quick question. Is the car making a funny squeaky grinding noise when pulling away when it's cold a good indicator that the clutch is goosed? Once warm it's ok and I'm not noticing any horrid slippage but it is due one in terms of miles since it's last and I did budget for it when buying the car; just thought it might have lasted a touch longer.] unquote

Hi Benmac , As matt says almost definately the spiggot bearing , real common occurrance on these cars , bearing is only £15 , but its bell housing out to replace it , they do an upgrade now for it so it should not happen again once replaced, most of the cost is labour so if its a warranty issue, i would supply a new clutch at the same time as it has to be removed at the same time


regards loz

 

[Benmac]

Awesome. Thanks lads. CPU
D well be that then. I shall investigate. Just had a mooch through the service history and there is no mention of the spigot bearing being replaced so........

I'll keep you posted.

 

[lozcb]

Awesome. Thanks lads. CPU
D well be that then. I shall investigate. Just had a mooch through the service history and there is no mention of the spigot bearing being replaced so........

I'll keep you posted.

Just to put you at ease Ben, there have been no known consequences of spiggot bearing failure other than that horrible queal when flooring it , ( just means the bearring is dry ) most indies/workshops just say change it at clutch replacement time , but seeing as yours may well be under warranty then get them to foot the bill


regards loz

 

[Emtee]

Most probably the spigot as posted above, but worth getting a diagnostic to show clutch wear and PIS setting. Then you'll know whether it's worth putting up with the squeal or whether it's time for a clutch.

 

[Benmac]

Well, it is the bearing so that is getting done and as the warranty will pay for all that (hopefully) I'll probably stump up for the clutch parts and get that done at the same time.

Anyway, not used it for a couple of weeks and lo and behold, utterly flat battery. So after some faff I remembered the mechanical door release and got in. Popped the bonnet. No battery. Bugger the manual is in the glovebox so that is inaccessible. Hmmm................10 minutes elapses..............Ah yes, it's in the boot isn't it. More faffing and get in there. Battery now on charge but it's probably goosed. Anyway, here is the funny bit.

While I was scratching my head as to where the battery was my wife was watching an episode of Bones she recorded last night on sky. Where's the relevance there I hear you ask. Well some poor sod was found dead with battery acid on him and some particular carpet fibres. Of course, in a flash they had identified that it was QP boot carpet and that the battery is of course in the boot. They demonstrated this by showing a photo of a QP and then the battery location! If only she had called down to me when watching this rather than waiting for me to come back in it would have saved me 10 minutes head scratching.

 

[Parisien]

Oh dear...all been there Benmac....do get a slightly higher amperage output one next time..........

P

 

[lozcb]

Excellent , foresight is a wonderful thing , unfortunately most wives dont have it , im sure they get some sort of sadistic kick out of us guys getting flustered , good to see she's coming along, the Italian mistress that is

regards loz

 

[Benmac]

Hurrah, all done. In the end it went to jct600 in Leeds. I'm not usually a one for main dealers but these guys were truly truly fantastic. A friend of mine is very good mates with one of the chaps there and as a result they were able to do me a truly stonking price and I even had a new 320i coupe to run around in while they had the QP.

Amazingly considering it had done 22k miles the clutch was only 33% worn! Even so I got it changed. The bearing was indeed shot and as it had been flapping it was of course only sensible to do the flywheel as well, another of the bearings in there was grumbly so they did that as well while it was all apart.

They gave the car a once over while they had it as well and the only things they noted were that one a couple of the bushings in the front suspension are slightly worn but nothing to worry about and the reverse/forward t bar switch is a bit loose.

The car now feels better than ever as the chap spent a good while doing the various calibration bits to get it just so. I was always surprised given all the doom mongering about the behaviour of the duoselect that it was as good as it was but now it's even better. No clunks and thumps at low speed and of course no more bearing noise.

To blot it's copybook the driver's side washer jet blocked again on the way back which made for fun on the m62 in the crappy weather. Fixed that again now but I think I'm just going to buy some new ones.

 

[Parisien]

Result Benmac.....now you can really enjoy her....have a Happy One!


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