The sound dropping in pitch is because the revs drop slightly as it puts a load on the engine. They all do this If you were to hold it down for a couple of seconds the engine would adjust and the noise would return to it's original pitch.

The other noise could be a few things... one thing to try if you hear it on idle is to run the engine and stand by it with the bonnet open, see if the noise is noticably louder. If so, try and track down where in the engine bay.

If not, then it could well be your exhaust.

 

Thanks. I'll check it tomorrow. I am wondering if it needs new plugs/HT leads etc as it is not running as smooth as I would like. I've only had it since Friday though so not sure what is normal for this car. It feels quite sluggish in 5th gear and needs a bit more welly to get up to 70mph (Need to run it closer to 3000bph(?)).

I was wondering if the timing could be off and it just needs a good tune though.

 

Thanks for the advice. It's a 1.6 engine. It was serviced last year and gets serviced yearly. That's not to say it does not need another oil change etc. It had a new cam belt fitted at the last service too. I guess what with the HGF stories I am a bit worried about giving it some welly anyhow. On my 416 auto I am light footed as the gear changes are handled automatically. I find manuals a bit tiring on the old feet but the car seemed too good a deal to turn down so I got it anyhow. Hopefully I will get used to it again but if not I can always switch it for an auto later on I guess.

 

Well I am still none the wiser. I think it's just normal engine turnover or the exhaust knocking slightly. I have another issue anyhow. I am having difficulty getting into reverse gear. I think it's in but it's not so I have to put it back to neutral and give it a good pull back. Once it's in if I halfway lift the clutch I get a whining noise. Once fully released the noise goes away and it's normal reversing engine sound. Lots of little niggles on this car. It's nowhere near as smooth a drive/ride as my old 416.

 

I am having difficulty getting into reverse gear. I think it's in but it's not so I have to put it back to neutral and give it a good pull back. Once it's in if I halfway lift the clutch I get a whining noise. Once fully released the noise goes away and it's normal reversing engine sound.

I don't know if this is a general issue with gearbox wear on the 25's but I had something that sounds similar on my last one. It did it from the day I bought it for the 2 years + I owned the car. You thought you were in reverse (and the reverse lights came on) but it wasn't quite locked in so you came up on the clutch and got the traditional grinding noise or just nothing as it dropped straight out.
I found that if you came half up on the clutch whilst still holding the gear stick it would drop in nicely every time. I now have a new 25 and whilst it doesn't do it every time I have had the same issue on a couple of occasions. I never had any other issues with the gearbox so I don't let it worry me too much.

 

Ooh you are awful, but I like you.










PS. They are all a pig for getting into reverse until you get used to it.

 

puttering/fast but soft knocking sound when idling.

That rings a bell, I think mine is doing the same thing, it only does it on idle, rev the car and it disappears, but can only hear it inside the car, I posted a video up a while back of my knocking engine (dont worry different problem) and I captured the noise at the end, I will get the link.

 

Here we go, as above ignore the lengthy knocky engine video, was taken ages ago for that purpose only, go to 4:42 turn your speakers up and listen, Dick Emery is this the noise you are hearing?