MereCat Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Hello Just finished a morning run out all seemed find no issue with power and running smooth.last 2 miles I pull away hard in first (unusual for me) and accelerate through the gears. All pulling fine until I slow down and hear the engine sounding like a bag of bolts. It also sounds like something fell off but it could also have been a couple of pops from the exhaust??The Red warning light is on and it's hunting. Managed to limp it home but it's struggling to idle. When I rev it the engine just rattle.1600 K series DVA with all forged internals.Bottom end ?bearings ?or Pistons? Any my thoughts and help would be greatly appreciated.its done 22k miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Are you referring to the oil pressure warning light thats constantly on.....?Any obvious leaks..., is there oil on the dipstick......? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 It could be disastrous or it could be simple. I think we'll need a lot more info...(As 7WotW says) What red light are you describing (oil pressure, charging)? And is there oil? What do (did) the gauges say (oil pressure, water temp)? Have you removed bonnet and nosecone to have a look? Whereabouts does the rattle seem to originate? Are all the ancillaries where they should be? (alternator, starter, exhaust system, fan) Is the alternator mounting bracket secure? Is there coolant in the expansion bottle? Does the clutch operate smoothly?Whereabouts are you? Is there a local member who could have a look/listen?JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MereCat Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Sorry yes it was the red ignition light.oil pressure is 2bar so normal although I could try starting her up again to check??oil is on max on the dipstick as I check levels each and every time I go out.water temp as electric is always suspect sometime it works other it does not so always gone but oil temp usually between 60-80. Fan kicks in at 90 something and the oil temp is always an indication for me that I need to open the heather up and blow off some air. Clutch okalternator and starter motor in place BUT alternator pulley is hanging out of the engine block. Looks like it's come loose.i can rattle it! Good Bad Ugly??? Is it just a tighten up or could I have damaged bottom end? any idea of torque setting for bolt assuming I have not knackered the thread and it's just come out?.. Would explain the hunting as not charging? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Sounds like good news... Check for damage and if all is ok retighten the pulley with locktite and retension the belt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 oil pressure is 2bar so normal...That's ok at idle but low otherwise. It would be nearer 4 bar when running at 4k plus. I wouldn't start the engine until you've found the source of the rattle (assuming it's external to the engine).BUT alternator pulley is hanging out of the engine block. Looks like it's come loose.Do you mean the pulley on the alternator itself or the crank pulley that drives the alt belt? Any chance of a photo?Is the alt belt still there? Is the alt mounting bracket still firmly attached to the block and alt? Is the cylindrical spacer still there?Btw, what year is the car? And is it EU2 (with distributor) or EU3 (without)?JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MereCat Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 JV trying to post but keeps coming back with an error...Will have another go with a pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MereCat Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Crank pulley and belt is there. Spacer? What does this look like and where should it be exactly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MereCat Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Might seem like a daft question assuming not damaged the thread , any chance of swarf getting into the block or is this sealed so just a thread to secure alternator and no need to worry?worse case scenario re tap the thread if it won't go in from spinning for a few miles? It's literally hanging on by the peverbial thread with the Apollo hose stopping it from dropping off. Although I stil think I lost something when it happened? Would a drop in voltage cause a misfire / exhaust to have a burp ? With the ear plugs in I could not tell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 The spacer (a cylindrical metal bush about 25x25 mm with a hole down the middle) fits between the engine block and the bottom end of the alternator adjustment bracket (at least, it did on my old 1999 1.8K Supersport). The bolt that attaches this bracket to the block can shear off if it's not tight enough. If this happens, you're likely to lose the bush completely.From your photo, both pulleys and the belt are present. So what exactly is "hanging out of the engine block"?JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 If the retaining bolt is missing or sheared, there's no chance of anything entering the engine block.Can you please confirm whether this is indeed the problem? Looking at the front of the engine, is the alt adjustment bracket unattached at the bottom end? If so, the bolt has either come loose and fallen out, or it's sheared off. If the latter, there's likely to be a stub of thread remaining in the block. Either way, you've probably lost the spacer bush.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MereCat Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Hi John the bolt is hanging out. So likely the bang I heard was the spacer going down the road. Any pics so I can check? Anyone with a K series online that could oblige me please. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 2, 2019 Member Share Posted June 2, 2019 Private Message sent.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Do check that the bolt hasn't sheared. It's an M10x50. If your bolt is shorter than that, there'll very likely be a piece left in the threaded hole in the block. The spacer may be difficult to source now. Try Redline, or use M10 washers to pack out the space.(Excellent photo above!)JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Spacer info..... https://www.lotus7.club/forum/techtalk/k-series-alternator-bolts-size Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Erhm...On mine the spacer has a stud and an internal thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Blyth Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 If you need a spacer, I used these people recently to get a stainless one to help with fitting my petty strut. Available in lots of sizes and materials, with excellent service: https://www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk/spacers---standoff-collars-606-c.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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