Q's about Merak basics

compression/leak down, first check. any repair is going to b an eye opener if u have been working on a porsche, have fun

 

Hi Ken,

Many good Merak experts here... Car should not smoke cold or hot on start up... a leaking valve guide or worn/broken ring/leaking head gasket would probably cause it to smoke.
See photos for gauge readings ( see other photo for oil pressure reading) - battery voltage should be well above 12 v but with lights on and radiator fan on ( I think the photo was taken early evening when the car was shut off but key ignition on)... it's barely at 12v at idle.
Syncros should work ok well warmed up or cold as it doesn't like to be speed shifted but it shouldn't crunch at all if shifted gently.

Much info on the engine/hydraulics on Citroen SM pages and Lotus esprit pages for the transaxle on the internet.

I'm sure George will chime in soon.

Regards,

Charles
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Oil pressure: Cold start: 7 or more, Warm: the warmer the lower, when full warm the pressure is nearly/close to 0.

Voltage: As already mentioned above, it should be over 12V (~14V) but will go down based on used electrics and if you have a new/upgraded generator. The original one is not adaquate and any new version will definitely produce better results.

Engine: It shouldn't smoke at all, black or white smoke is a clear idication of a problem. The only normal thing, is that when driven hard, the car behind you will notice black "spots" coming out of the exhaust in hard acceleration, that is normal (unburned oil). The chains should NOT "rattle", once you start hearing them more and more, then they need to be properly tensioned. They should not be taut 100%. There is a special method for doing them, but I never learned it

Clutch: Test the clutch, put 3rd gear and floor it, if the revs go up and the car isn't giving you 100% acceleration then the clutch is slipping.


Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of the above.

 

with fresh rebuild when warm at idle oil was showing close to zero on gauge. put mechanical gauge on and sure enough 5lbs. panic.. no no no! not good. should be 15-20. motor is coming apart, for the third time. i assure u the same shops will not b working on my cars again