Guest edcotic Posted March 18, 2007 this is a painful noise what started as a light rattle on a trailing throttle 300 miles ago has become a load clanking when idling and worsens when revved. Is there any way to tell if its big end or main bearing? The sump is off but i'm not sure what i should be looking for. Does anyone have a decent build manual for changing bearings and possibly removing crank shaft? Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nick 3 Posted March 18, 2007 (edited) Big ends for a guess. Grab hold of each conrod and push/pull it about, there shouldn't be any play, if there is you have found the bad one. Nick Edited March 18, 2007 by nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrwn8304 0 Posted March 18, 2007 As nick suggested try for the play if you suspect any of the Big Ends remove the 2 nuts and check them visualy for extensive wear on the Bearing Caps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted March 18, 2007 99% Deffo the big ends, Do not drive it anymore as you may damage the crank and rod beyond repair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Normski 1 Posted March 19, 2007 A Haynes manual is all you need to get. With the sump off it's easy to replace big end bearings if that's the problem. I've had experience of this problem (if you do a search for a recent thread, within a month or two I think, I explained how to tell the difference between big end and main bearing failure). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andrwn8304 0 Posted March 19, 2007 You can download the Haynes manual from most p2p sites its about 6.25 mb in size. I bought the book and then downloaded it aswell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest edcotic Posted March 19, 2007 thanks for the advice people removed the caps on 2 of the big ends. One is totally shafted - flattened and blue in colour. Crank journal is clearly gonna need machining. So... Can the crank be removed with engine still in car? I think its possible but can't find a definitive article anyone done this? thanks Ed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted March 19, 2007 It can be done but the box needs to come off along with flywheel etc so for the 3 hours it's takes to remove the engine it's really the only way and you don;t have to work under the car with oil driping on your head. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James_m 0 Posted March 20, 2007 The rod is probably ovalised too. Personally id get a new engine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nick 3 Posted March 20, 2007 Check the crank for straightness as well. The Mi's are prone to bending cranks when they have spun a shell. Nick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Higgy 0 Posted March 21, 2007 Remember you can use oversize Alfa Romeo bearings if 0.5mm needs to come off the crank. No point chucking out the crank if you dont need to. Mi cranks will start getting (more) rare. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
