Couple of problems...

Post by **Tom** » 07 Feb 2005 06:35 pm

Hello, all. I have a couple of problems with the 340..

1) Heater

The heater has packed in. It doesn't work on any of the settings. I've looked at the fuse and tried a replacement (yes, it was of the same wattage and firmly in place) but unfortunately to no avail. Is there anything else I should check? Any help appreciated as I'm sick of having to demist the bloody windscreen with my hand

2) Horrible noise

When the engine idles, there's sometimes a horrible rattling noise. Sometimes it's a really quiet rattle, other times you can't actully hear people next to you speaking. Gah.

The noise disappears completely when I dip the clutch. It's really worrying me (and pissing everyone else off

). What do you think it could be?

Again, all help is appreciated

Cheers

Post by **5lab** » 07 Feb 2005 06:37 pm

2nd one is driveshaft bearings by the sound of it.

Post by **Chris_C** » 07 Feb 2005 08:19 pm

Kar does the second Tom, also slips on the propshaft if you boot it at the mo, I know Rupert said of a way of bodging it at the meet, I'm keeping me eyes open for a useful alternative to the cardboard orig Volvo one at the mo.... not getting very far very quickly though.

Hugh, where are these bearings located, on the prop themselves, and could they be why mines slipping? Off to talk to mr Haynes

Post by **5lab** » 07 Feb 2005 08:38 pm

no, yours will be slipping where the rubber is crimped by the aluminium. i cba to explain it, but surfice to say its a sh*t design, and you'll need a replacement. happened twice to nessy - its a bit of an arse to fix too, involves getting right under the car with a big breaker bar.

Post by **Chris_C** » 07 Feb 2005 09:11 pm

It does make a rotating rattly sound too though (not as much as Toms by the sound though) Probably be worth changing fiddling when I do it. Or do they all?

Post by **5lab** » 07 Feb 2005 09:40 pm

Post by **Chris_C** » 08 Feb 2005 11:34 am

Put it into neutral, lift the clutch, and you can hear a noise. As well as the slippage

Post by **DeKayDAD** » 08 Feb 2005 09:04 pm

Favourite for the heater is the resistor bank in the heater ducting it controls all speeds and corrodes.

Post by **special** » 09 Feb 2005 12:55 am

no2 sounds more like clutch relese bearings to me mine does it

Post by **pettaw** » 09 Feb 2005 09:11 am

Nah, AFAIK had release bearing noise once. Only occurs at certain positions of clutch. Could try pushing clutch up to release as much pressure as poss. If that changes the noise then clutch release bearing is the prob.

It sounds much more to me like the propshaft is starting to disintegrate, either the splines where it bolts onto the clutch/gbox is shot or else the rubber joins as described before.

Post by **redline** » 09 Feb 2005 09:31 am

mine makes the same noise in neutral when you first take your foot off the clutch , usually clears if i put my toe just under the pedal and push up slightly ,seems like the bering isnt fully freeing off, is there any adjustment on it or a spring that releases the bearing that may have become weak with age ?

Post by **Chris_C** » 09 Feb 2005 11:02 am

Mine had a new clutch about a year ago, that could have been when the noise appeared... I can't get under it for a bit though, I'm interested to see what state the propshaft is in.

Post by **Tom** » 09 Feb 2005 06:18 pm

Update:

The heater, for some reason, has started working again. I ran my hand over the demister and, to my eternal joy, felt the wonderful warm air for the first time in ages (the heater was set to 1 at the time)

Cheers

Post by **srtames** » 11 Feb 2005 02:24 pm

My car makes that noise also and has done for 6 years ,Its the clutch fork worn where it engages the release bearing. My local 340 specialist said its very common and leave it unless its really bad!

regards, Steve

Post by **foggyjames** » 11 Feb 2005 06:17 pm

Agreed on the clutch release bearing - as Steve says it's a well-known fault. The other option is indeed the rubbish design of propshaft.

Tom....have you never noticed the endless discussion about the heater fan? It may have started working again, but it won't be back for good. Mine is in the same state as yours...comes and goes (but has been good for the last 6 months or so), but I know I'll have to replace the resistor pack at some point.

Having said all of this...I was under the impression that the resistor pack only provided the 'dimming' for the first two settings, with the third running flat-out? I may well be wrong there. The other option apparantly is that the input wire to the fan switch can get broken / detatched (sp?!) when playing with the stereo.

cheers

James