Diagnose this... Ford Diesel knocking.

[Pat H]

We have a 2008 Focus 2.0 TDCi. Owned it from new.

It has covered 35,000 miles.

Mostly used by wife for gentle 4 mile journey to work.

I have just taken it on a 1000 mile round trip to Normandy.

It has developed a rattle. Quite a high pitched knocking. Seems to come from the front of the engine. Very noticeable at tickover. Barely noticeable when driving. Has appeared suddenly.

No drop in performance. Not any more smokey than usual.

Exhaust/manifold not blowing.

Pressing the clutch doesn't make any difference. The car had a DMF failure at 17,000 miles. No clutch slip.

No warning lights, not overheating.

My guess is a problem with the injectors or maybe the EGR valve.

Any ideas?

Suggestions, abuse, sarcasm etc etc on a postcard to the usual address.

Thanks.

[HellDiver]

It's got a Peugoet tractor engine in it, what do you expect?

Seriously, though, it could be injector seals (sounds like a stuck tappet), or it could be unhappy about French diesel.

[new_bloke]

You've forgotten to turn the engine off?

[.R2D2]

How often do you hear it? Is it about every 15 seconds?

[x type]

If it's the same as a Peugeot engine ,they are prone to crankshaft pulley going awol

apparently they have some sort of damper inside the pulley which goes pear shaped

[crolandc]

As said above! crank pulley.

[Pat H]

.R2D2 said:

How often do you hear it? Is it about every 15 seconds?

Nope, it is a constant clatter. Most noticeable at tickover, but increases and decreases with revs.

x type said:

If it's the same as a Peugeot engine ,they are prone to crankshaft pulley going awol

apparently they have some sort of damper inside the pulley which goes pear shaped

Funnily enough, my brother in law has a Pug 206, which suffered crank pulley failure for this reason.

I'm pretty confident that it isn't the crankshaft pulley, simply because the clatter seems to be coming from the vicinity of the injectors.

My best guess is an injector failure or a problem with the pump timing, but I am surprised that there are no warning lights and that, clatter aside, there is no difference to the way the car drives.

Regrettably, it has had to be booked in to the local diesel specialist for diagnostics and hopefully a cure.

Hopefully I will be in a position to reveal all this time tomorrow.

Cheers,

[crolandc]

What was it then???

[Pat H]

Well, it defeated me.

And it nearly defeated the mechanic.

But eventually, a rogue piece of plastic trim (origin unknown) was found to have fallen behind the starter motor and was apparantly catching the ring gear on the flywheel.

All I know is that it was making a terrible clattering noise, it has now been cured and it cost me £35 plus VAT.

So I am relieved, but also ashamed that I didn't spot it myself.

Cheers,