Bad times (help)

[ETY]

Hi all ive got a serious problem and require as much imfo as poss ! I will keep it brief , the sound started as a quiet tapping occasionally heard on tick over then dissapering , i first noticed this tapping around 8 months ago. Now the tapping has become quite loud and sounds as if its coming from beneath the inlet manifold,slightly towards the right hand side front of the block but difficult to pin point . Now as from this afternoon at tick over the sound comes and goes ,and at higher revs it gets progressivly worse ! The engine starts and runs fine with good oil pressure ,although i dont intend to drive her now until this is resolved . We have checked manifolds and exhaust and there seems to be no leaks ,

we have listened to the alternator , water pump and distributor and all sound ok . I fear some kind of tappet lifter cam type thing ! all advice is gladly appreciated 1992 4L pre-cat no mods 72,000 miles

Edited by ETY on Tuesday 4th September 00:30

[Sam Gamgee]

Would get it checked-if youve never had a new cam, then possibly this?
i had a similar noise recently although only drove it once following hearing it, tured out to be lifter/follower, not too bad but was difficult to pinpoint....

Good Luck and hope its not too wallet sapping!

Dave.

[Corky]

Sam Gamgee said:

Would get it checked-if youve never had a new cam, then possibly this?
i had a similar noise recently although only drove it once following hearing it, tured out to be lifter/follower, not too bad but was difficult to pinpoint....

Good Luck and hope its not too wallet sapping!

Dave.

, good luck.

[spend]

Take the plenum off and make sure its not just a trumpet come loose?

You can also have a quick scan of the valve springs if you pop the rocker covers off (easy with the plenum top off).

Dave

[g500]

could be an exhaust leak its common , who the hell retightens their manifold bolts only sados like me
s

[ETY]

have checked manifolds thoroughly and appear leak free

Edited by ETY on Tuesday 4th September 19:29

[Sam Gamgee]

g500 said:

could be an exhaust leak its common , who the hell retightens their manifold bolts only sados like me
s

Me too.

[Barreti]

Sam Gamgee said:

g500 said:

could be an exhaust leak its common , who the hell retightens their manifold bolts only sados like me
s

Me too.

and me.

[lazyitus]

No point dressing this up but I reckon its new cam time.

I had the same symptoms last year - cam was buggered, big time.

I toyed with selling the car on but took the pill in the end and had it put right.

Best thing I ever did!

I sincerely hope this isn't the case for you but I suspect it probably is.

Good luck.

[Griff4.0]

I know that you said that you'd checked your exhaust but this sounds exactly like a problem I had. It was a hairline crack in the exhaust manifold, that was very difficult to see and it sounded like the world was coming to an end!! I took the car to my local garage but he didn't spot the crack, instead he dropped the sump to investigate what was going on in number 2 cylinder!

Eventually I took the car to my local specialist who diagnosed the problem correctly and welded the manifold.

[ETY]

i have got stainless manifolds 3 years old i will recheck at the weekend ! The sound does slightly remind me of exhaust gas escape but it seemed to tap loud and strong on decelaration

[Apache]

Could be a knackered/collapsed follower. Cams usually wear at the back of the block as these cylinders tend to run hotter

[ETY]

Can anyone recomend where to take her im in northampton ! would you advise not to drive and tow ? is there anyone who would be able to come over and take a listen at home ?

[350Matt]

I'll pop over if you like, I'm in Duston, drop me a mail and we can organise something

Matt