The 'E' Type Forum

Hi Everyone,
I am Hubert 43years living near Paris & very sorry for my poor english!
I am here : http://bit.ly/13Q57qL

I ?ve bought an american Opalescent light Blue FHC, 2 years ago. A lot of work has been done (paint, brakes, electrical, exhaust, suspension, steering, etc?).
Last winter, the motor was 100%redone. A lot of km were done this spring at low speed. Oil pressure, temperature, no leaks, no noise, etc.. : all was ok

The nightmare began last sunday : after 1hour at 1000/2000rpm, I went on the motorway with a GPS in order to check the speedo. After 1 mn at 4500 rpm, a small noise appeared. I immediately slow down at 2000rpm, but the noise went louder and louder. It was a deep noise, like ?clank clank clank?, coming from the motor. I went back at home at low speed. After removing the oil sump, it appears that one of big end bearing was burnt (in French, we say ?couler une bielle??.)

The oil level was ok before starting so I suspect poor quality of the bearings (purchased at SNG)
Did anyone encounter the same problem? Do you know if there are different qualities available for bearings?
The crankshaft has a little scratch, but very small: Do you think I can avoid to send it to the workshop?

Thank you for your help !

Hi Hubert,
welcome to the forum ! its difficult to say what's gone wrong with your engine without the benefit of being able to examine it. It's possible that there has been a lack of oil fed to that rod bearing causing it to fail, was the crank cleaned properly, blanking plugs removed etc when you rebuilt the engine?

Hubert : bearing quality is unlikely to be the problem, but as johnney has said, a very common mistake in rebuilding these engines is that the plugs in the webs of the crankshaft are not removed ( because it is difficult and they often have to be drilled out ) . The result is that the highly abrasive dirt which collects in the internal passages of the crank is still present, and eventually will be flushed out into your new bearings . The first thing I would do is examine the shells on all the rods very carefully with a magnifying glass , and particularly look at the "burnt" one. If there are any signs of particles included in the bearing metal, you probably have your answer. Also examine carefully on the affected crank journal the oil hole ; pushing into the hole with a small drill bit should reveal no dirt - but if it does again you know the problem , and if there is dirt in there then I am afraid that the crank will have to come out . If there is no dirt, then whether the crank has to be ground again depends on whether you can polish out the scratch with emery tape. If you can, then it should be possible to avoid a regrind

I should also say that " burnt" suggests overheating which suggests tightness . Very careful measurement of the crankpin, looking particularly for inconsistent diameter caused by either taper or ovality of the pin should be undertaken

If you can post a photo of the crankpin and the damaged shells, this will help

Hello Hubert,
Welcome to this forum, where you have already found some good advices.
I wish you all the best with the engine. I have also "coul? une bielle" by the past with a V6 peugeot: it's a sound you don't forget...
Emmanuel