| Author | Message | ||
     Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 20 Registered: 07-2003 |
I got in my 96 disco this morning, started fine, drove about half a block and it started running rough. I heard a "grinding" sound, then the truck died and the battery light came on. I tried to restart it, turned over ok, but wouldn't start. I had to get to work, so i haven't looked at yet, just worried about it all day. Anyone know where i should start? Thanks a lot, Mark | ||
| Gregory M Lichtenson (Gml) New Member Username: Gml Post Number: 40 Registered: 09-2003 |
Vacuam lines check them all they like to dry up and leak etc,replace all stock vac lines with silicone they will last for 50 years etc.... | ||
| Bill Bettridge (Billb) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Billb Post Number: 1048 Registered: 02-2002 |
Mark, Ignore the above BS post. It's hard to explain the grinding sound, but start with the basics - fuel and spark. Fuel - check for pressure at the fuel rail. Check that the pump is ruuning when you key the ignition. Spark - 96 is still distributor I believe (?) - so check for spark at coil wire at dist. Lots of other stuff to do, but a good way to narrow it down. Bill | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 21 Registered: 07-2003 |
Thanks Bill, Would a problem with the distributor or rotor cause the battery light to come on? The light is what makes me think it is a spark problem. Thanks again, Mark | ||
| Robbie Donaldson (Robbie) Senior Member Username: Robbie Post Number: 435 Registered: 02-2002 |
96+ actually has GEMS, so no distributor or rotor. Any check engine light? If battery light is on, perhaps alternator issues? Follow along with what Bill said, spark and fuel as basics. | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 22 Registered: 07-2003 |
The alt was my first thought, but the battery turns the motor over fine, so the alt seems to be charging the battery/working? Maybe not. Is there anything that may have failed on the GEMS? I am about to head home and check it out. I will write again tomorrow. I appreciate your help, Mark | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Senior Member Username: Ron Post Number: 478 Registered: 04-2001 |
NO NO NO NO NO The battery light comes on when the truck stops running. Could be anything. However, grinding followed by engine stopping running cannot be good. Find someone with a clue and have them look at it in person, or just do standard no start diag. spark, fuel, compression etc. if you feel ok with that level of work. Ron | ||
| Robert Sublett (Rubisco98) Senior Member Username: Rubisco98 Post Number: 1027 Registered: 04-2002 |
Take a good look at your serpentine belt when you get it started back up. Perhaps one of the bearings on one of the pulleys went south. I've lost a water pump, alternator, and idler pulley up there.. Anyhow, Good Luck to ya..RS | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 24 Registered: 07-2003 |
Thanks for the word on the battery light. I took a closer look at the problem last night when i got home. The electrical system is fine. The truck started, but ran very poorly, and after running for about 30 seconds, a loud banging started from the top of the motor. I got back in it to shut it off, and the oil light came on. Sounds bad. Maybe a valve problem, or broken pushrod? I guess a compression test would tell me if the valves were staying open. I called a mechanic this morning, but he can't get to it until monday, so I have the weekend to work/worry on it. Mark | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 25 Registered: 07-2003 |
I just read a bunch of archived messages about valve problems, but they don't seem to match my woes. Any other thoughts? Mark | ||
| eric johnson (Eric2) Member Username: Eric2 Post Number: 113 Registered: 05-2003 |
after running for about 30 seconds, a loud banging started from the top of the motor<p> Any other thoughts?<p> Prepare to open your check book. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 658 Registered: 05-2002 |
Hmmm...forgive my lack of proper nomenclature, but let me see if I can say this right: On distributor driven ignition systems there is a gear that drives the shaft that spins the rotor. It escapes me as to what this is called. I have never seeen one go south on any of the older Fords I have worked on, but it would seem that if it did happen, it may exhibit symptoms like this. Try pulling the shaft that carries the distributor and goes into the block and see what you find. | ||
| Curtis N (Curtis) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Curtis Post Number: 659 Registered: 05-2002 |
OK - I also remember that this is a cam driven gear. I am not sure if all this helps, but that grinding sound plus the banging on top of the engine would lead me in this direction. Plus, it should be a simple thing to check. | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 26 Registered: 07-2003 |
Eric, I have definately been preparing myself for the slap in the pocket. Any Ideas on what the problem may be? Thanks Mark | ||
| Bill Howell (Billh13) Member Username: Billh13 Post Number: 170 Registered: 03-2003 |
Ok Let's state this one last time. 1996 ON- DISCOs DO NOT HAVE A DISTRIBTOR!!!!!!!!! You have a valve problem. I'll bet money on it. Slipped timing chain, broke valve, cracked head. Stop turning it over! You are going to bang a hole in the pistons. Let someone who knows motors look at it. One other piece of advice when you get the thing fixed make sure to change the oil right away. When you start monkeying with the heads, anti-freeze gets in the oil. Not a good thing. Ask me how I know. | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 27 Registered: 07-2003 |
Bill, if I had to guess, I'd say you probably broke a crankshaft after one of your main bearings seized. It happened to a motorcycle I had. Sounds like good advice. I'll take it. Thank you all and I will let you know how it turns out. Mark | ||
| Nick A. (Nick) New Member Username: Nick Post Number: 29 Registered: 03-2003 |
How about oil pump going south or clogged p/u screen and the lifters are not getting oil which in turn valves barely open and the valvetrain gets noisy.Above post about main bearing spun or broken crank that usually is no oil pressure.Since it starts with oil pressure maybe it is an oil pump issue. Just reminiscing about the old hot rodding days broke a few big block mopars in my day. | ||
| Matt Morian (Mmoria01) Member Username: Mmoria01 Post Number: 46 Registered: 03-2003 |
Mark, where in stl are you? Where are you taking it for repair? -Matt Richmond Heights | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 28 Registered: 07-2003 |
Matt, I work downtown, and I am taking it to GLB motorworks on Manchester. A good friend of mine has a disco and a range, and he always takes them there. They came very highly recomended. Have you found a rover yet, or are you still looking? | ||
| Matt Morian (Mmoria01) Member Username: Mmoria01 Post Number: 47 Registered: 03-2003 |
I could walk to GLB from my house (good thing, I may eventually have to). That's who I was going to suggest. Unless they have 2 shops, they are on Big Bend, midway between Clayton Rd and Hwy-40. I've heard good things about them as well, I've been there a few times talking to them about pre-purchase inspections. I still haven't found one yet, I've even been broadening my prospects. Something new came up on AutoTrader which I'm gonna call about. Anyway, I hope it's nothing serious with your truck. -Matt | ||
| Mark Groenda (Mhg9797) New Member Username: Mhg9797 Post Number: 29 Registered: 07-2003 |
I just looked at the card again, You're right, it is big bend. I also bought my truck from a dealer that had it listed on AutoTrader. I live by forest park, so it should be a short tow. Mark |
