Odd L880K mechancial problem that no one can figure out...advice please. Anyone know if a bad engine mount will stop clunking when engine is hot??? So, I have had an L880K for years now, and know quite a bit about cars myself and usually work on it myself. A few months ago, started to hear a clunking coming from front left tire area. Just a bit, but recently became louder and began to investigate. Sounded like a bad lower ball joint. Jacked the car up, and with a breaker bar, moved the tire up/down to see if it would make the clunk. It didn't. Rubber bushing isn't broken. Twisted tire left/right to see if it might be tie rod. Also inspected sway bar bushing, not bad, and no clicking from CV. Here's the key point...only happens when I first start the car up for 5 minutes and only can hear it randomly clunking away from 0-15 miles an hour. Then after maybe 5-10 minutes of driving, mostly goes away. So, what can that be that when the engine is hot, goes away. I thought maybe engine mount, but do L880k engine mounts get that hot? Took it to a Daihatsu dealer and they also confirmed ball joint/lower control arm fine, sway bar bushing not bad, CV, bearing, etc. fine. He said the engine mount looks a bit worn and might be the cause as when the engine is hot, it might be expanding, but from my knowledge, engine mounts don't get THAT hot. Is the L880K engine mount unique in that they get hot? The dealer's advice was just to drive as-is. Other vital info is the car doesn't vibrate badly at idle and when I come off or get on the accelerator strongly, there is no clunk of the engine suddenly moving back/forth like it would if a motor mount was bad. So, I'm just wondering at this point...what the hell is that sound? It's VERY clear random clunking like something loose at low speeds for 5 minutes or so. Any ideas?
Hi Kisobush Greetings from the UK, the only thing that comes to my mind is suspension strut worn, lose or faulty and as the car is driven it warms up by friction lessening the sound. Similar to a motor cycle that’s been ridden for a long period hard and suspension starts to soften slightly. Thinking outside the box this might help. Good luck and let us know what happens.
Ah, that makes sense! Are front struts still available for the L880K? I am seeing pricey upgrade suspension setups, but I wonder what the going rate for a new stock one goes for.
Or perhaps it is just the strut's upper mount that is making the noise？Does an upper mount become hot and then expand to stop making noise, though???
Hi Kisobushi, for the strut's upper mount see front coil spring help I have attached in that form the pdf with part numbers and where you can order.
Hi Kisobushi If you wish to keep your Copen completely original then a replacement from Copen parts in Japan might be your best bet. Someone on this site managed to upload a translated parts list which you can find in the string headed ‘Catalogue with Daihatsu Part numbers’. You can also access the Copen Manual from the Resources section on this site as you have been a member for a while. You will find under pages C1-6 to C1-10 headed front shock absorber and front coil spring removal and installation. I see from your original post you are keeping your little Copen on a reasonable budget in its standard form to cope with the rubbish roads we all have to put up with on this planet. Driving over a pot hole on British roads can cost a lot of money whatever suspension you fit.
