1972 Granada Mk1 coupe build - Cursed? No doubt! 27-06-2024

Right, I've been away from the board for a bit... Life is in turmoil at the moment and I just couldn't bring myself to read it or share my reasons. I do feel I need to now as life goes on and I need assistance.

I think I got my answer to the matter of the curse though. It's not the car, possibly the meeting, but definitely me who is cursed....

Latest proof: I seem to have been let go by my employer without any warning. I was expecting a talk about my future projects for the company but instead was told the business isn't doing well enough to keep me on. So the past two weeks have been, and stil are, about the terms of my exit. As the sole provider with both my wife and daughter being chronically ill and my son still in school/colledge for the next three years, it's been massively stressful and has really taken a toll on mind and body. Truthfully, it's gotten me massively down. Hence my silence on here.

As if that wasn't quite enough, misery never comes alone. The granada is leaking coolant massively, the transit has developed a new knock when first started in addition to the bearing squeek I had already on my plate to look into and a couple of expensive healthcare bills also came in.


On the Granada then... I pulled the intake, making it a non runner. Had to reinstate the winch to be able to get it in and out of the garage again. This bothers me no end. Worse still: I know the coolant is pooring from the v valley in the block, but I can't as of yet see why. The bits I can see don't show any signs of leaking. I've yet to clear the fuel rails and injectors out of the way to have more access, but I'm hesitant to remove these yet again. Can't do their seals and stuff much good... Ideally I'd like to pressurise the coolant system before dismantling any further but I don't have a spare cap to modify with a valve so I can apply air pressure. And if I just start dismantling who knows if I can easily identify the problem. I had hoped it would be the hose under the head, but I don't thinkt this is it as when I squeeze it, fluid is seen and heard to move in other bits of the system instead of pooring out. So I fear it may be head gasket. ALthough I do not seem to have bubbling or oil in the reservoir nor water in the oil. And it it is the head gasket that's a whole new set of choices. Is this 350.000km engien worthy of regasketing (it needs everything).

What would you guys do?

On the transit... it's driving me nuts. There's something new every time. Now this mysterious knock that is only there shortly after first startup. Then it's not always there depeneding on how long the car has stood. Car drives normally otherwise. It just sounds terrible. The engine hasn't even done 150.000km's.
I hope I'll be able to identify which belt driven accessory is causing the other squeek/whistling sound. But that I can hopefully identify by taking off the belt, although that sounds easier than access makes it.

Anyway, here's a lousy video of the knocking noise. It's not as obvious in the video as it is when standing by the car with your own ears, but if you listen carefully you'll hear it fot a little while.



Again, advice is appreciated.


Despite the situation, I need to get both cars driving again. Although the granada is a toy, what good is a toy you can't use.

Hi there can’t help with your personal issues but regarding your van I would check the bottom crank pulley as these have a habit of the outer coming away from the the inner and ‘knocking’.They have a rubber in between the two and this delaminates.Hope this helps.

Thanks, something specific to checkout then!

That would be my suggestion too, the bearing between the 2 parts fails.  could also be your squeak, taking the belt off should change the noise.

is it a micro hybrid? if so the  belt tensioner can also go.

Thanks, this forum always helps haha.

So far all that is visible in the valley seems dry. I have found a spare cap and am considering putting an air valve on it so I can pressurise the system and have a better look. Let’s hope it’s not a head gasket!