As the subject of end float came up, i thought i would ask about a dilemma i had a little while back.
My engine currently has end float that appears to be too physically noticable to be within bounds. When i tried to reset the shims, i ended up removing the majority of the play, however the crank would only turn around a few inches either way before a big 'clunk' would lock up the crank and stop it turning.
What would be going on? I ended up giving up, and been running the engine like that since. There hasn't been any issues at all thus far and have not been too worried about it since.
By lameman's feel. I had mucked around trying to measure but was with the wrong tools. So i used the vw-resource.com rule of thumb that the play should be about the same as the tappet clearance distance. i can easily move the crank to and from and from that it appears to be in excess. not enough to cause mass oil leaks or clutch slipping.
Haha, main bearing loose in case hey? 👎 eek. i've been aware of this float annoyance since i first started running the car and so far been great lol. did coffs harbour and back, warrick drags, noosa, bush bashing at tambo, straddie twice lol. lucky run i spose. I spose the high pressure oil pump and sticky lucus oil stabiliser is probably whats making up for the excess play, filling in the larger tolerances.
Whats the chance of it failing soon? like pre-valla?
Let's just say it's a major failure just waiting to happen. They can go on for years or it might go bang on the way to the shops 🙁
Think of it this way. As the thrust bearing is worn the crank moves laterally and so do the conrods and hence they start working at a slight angle. Just takes the edge of the small end or big end to grab and Ka-Bomb. Bent rod and crank with possible munted case from barrel being forced sideways.
On the plus side a roll of gaffa tape should fix that 😂
