One more Q guys,

For Owners of Turbo'd B230FT engines.....

Do you find your B230FT engine to be just plain loud? I mean I have no exhaust leaks or anything, engine runs great and strong but it is just loud? I don't know how best to describe it other than loud mechanical noise when up to speed. Not whining or anything that represents a problem --- I don't think....

Thanx
Bernie

It's not the most refined engine in the world by a long shot. Out of spec valves, marginal injectors, worn or poorly fit drive belts, and intake/exhaust gasket leaks add to the cacophony of strange and wonderful sounds that can be heard from two blocks away when a B230F is at idle. Throw in some mild piston slap and heads turn everywhere you go. Real driving excitement, and it's still more reliable than a new Pontiac.

I think that most of the cabin noise at speed can be attributed to poor soundproofing. Also, the motor and transmission mounts in 200 & 700 series cars transmit an unacceptable level of vibrations for a "luxury car" (or at least one that was priced in league with American luxury cars of the time), even when they are fresh out of the OEM box.

I agree. I think most of the noise is coming from the rest of the car -- not that the B230 is remarkably quiet. In my wagon, I have a hard time talking to passengers in the rear seat. Forget about it all together if the radio is on. These cars are in SERIOUS need of some soundproofing. That being said, I wouldn't trade my brick for any other car -- period!

Jeff Pierce
--
'93 945 Turbo ( one kickass family car ! ), '92 Mercedes 190E (my daily driver), '53 Willys-Overland Pickup (my snow-plow truck/conversation piece -- sold to a loving home), '85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow

A lot of the noise is due the fan. Turbos are a little quieter because the turbo aborbs some of the exhaust energy.. But then we can use a free flow muffler which brings the sound level up again.

cheers dave

If you want to see how much a difference th fan makes, take it off and screw the pulley back in with bolts if the studs come loose and take it around the block. Don't drive for too long as you run the risk of overheating. Sitting is the worst as there is no airflow. That big clutch fan makes a huge amount of noise and is also a big reason the waterpumps go on those cars. The 940 went to an electric fan and you could retrofit one or buy another electric fan kit from an aftermaket place.

"If you want to see how much a difference th fan makes, take it off and screw the pulley back in with bolts if the studs come loose and take it around the block. Don't drive for too long as you run the risk of overheating. Sitting is the worst as there is no airflow."

I've long thought of the clutch fan on these cars as virtually useless. As long as the vehicle is in motion, there is more airflow through the radiator than any fan could provide. Even when the car is stationary, it doesn't seem to make much difference. I once ran a 240 DL without the fan after replacing the waterpump. I let the car idle for about ten minutes while I checked for leaks. Temp gauge never budged past 9 o'clock. I don't think that I would want to try this in stop-in-go traffic in mid August with the A/C on, though. That's about the only situation in which I can see the clutch fan being of any use, and even then, it just doesn't move much air at 750 rpm. Most of the clutches have been dead since George H. vacated the White House, so you have a fan that runs constantly and puts a huge drag on the motor. I think that the electric fan is a huge improvement. It only runs when the need arises, and it is coupled directly to the radiator so it need not rely on that flimsy plastic shroud to direct airflow.

Actually, I plan on replacing the viscous fan with a puller electric.
I will be curious to see how that changes things?

Thanx

Aren't all B230F engines loud, turbo or not? I think this is especially the case at idle - the turbo is probably indeed louder at highway speed. Engine noise doesn't bother me - it keeps one's attention to the task at hand - actively driving a safe car among careless, distracted, detached drivers of 8,000 lb. SUVs, where quiet cabins facilitate long mobile phone calls, careful DVD viewing, or immersion into a 5 channel SACD.

The New Yorker had an excellent story on SUV safety a couple of issues ago. The basic conclusion was this: a Jetta is safe because it makes you feel unsafe; an SUV is unsafe precisely because it makes you feel safe - distracted from the risky task of driving (43,000 people killed on U.S. roads in 2002). It is a good article.

Engine noise reminds me that I am driving, and every little thing that encourages us to stay focused is welcome, in my opinion.

regards,
pu
--
((1993 245 Classic, 93K)) ((1992 244, 105K)) ((1987 245, 271K - RIP)) San Diego

Hey Bernie!
The 230fT can be a bit noisy. I think of it as a roar. You might try Dynamat all over to make the interior quieter. I did that with my 780 (which is quieter already) and it is very nice. Then put a nice stereo in and CRANK IT UP!

Blessings!
Patrick

Thanx fellas,

For both aspects of answering my question....LOL!

I was just curious as to whether this was a trait of the breed or was I destined to see rods flying out the side of my block.....!!!
I remember one time with my Porsche that I inadvertantly broke a fuel regulator vaccum line. The car sounded very loud? It was weird. Once I fixed the vacuum line, it quieted down again.

So the answer is --- Yes!
Its a noisy little bugger but gives back in boost!!

Cheers
Bernie

yep its a noisy bugger all right...and i do think the fan is responsible for that ROAOOOOOOOOR sounds...

for a more 'dynamic' noise remove all the foam from the airbox, the restrictor from the air box feed and fit straight through exhaust box's...oh and ditch the cat!...

now it scares small children and threatens to pull cyclistis into its air intake...if you slow down enough as you go past..not noisy enough to attract mr plod...but certainly a nice healthy roooooorrrrrr