Engine Ticking

[Timbob]

Yet more problems since timingbelt pop and subsequent repair. Do any of you gents have any idea why our 300tdi is ticking?tapping? Valve clearances, piston ring? I do hope it is not the latter. Any advice gratefully received please.
Thanks

[Saffy]

couple of ideas..

Excessive valve clearances would make that sort of noise. Maybe need to recheck the gaps since running in with the new rockers and pushrods. There might have been slight disformation of cam follower cup seat the push rod sits in and now has bedded in increasing the valve gap. Should have been spotted on the rebuild really.
It is also worth checking the valve stem caps are all present and not deformed, it common for them to "disappear".

Could be really nasty and the rocker shaft assy mounting studs have pulled the thread out of the alloy head a little and its flapping around waiting to let go completely :shock:

[Timbob]

Thanks for the quick reply, I am pleased that you didnt mention piston rings! Although last suggestion is a tad concerning. The ticking noise was there as soon as the vehicle was returned "rebuilt". I shall have to investigate.

[Xtremeteam]

it will be the vacum pump

[Timbob]

it will be the vacum pump

Could you elaborate please? Pump broken, in need of adjustment, replacement?
I scared i still have engine problems!
Also, is that the vacuum pump for the brake servo? The jobber bolted onto the side of the block. The noise is much more apparent from in the cab than when looking under bonnet. How do I isolate the noise as being from the pump?
Thanks All

[Saffy]

yeah the vac pump on the 300tdi defender is bolted to the block below the air cleaner location (air cleaner bracket uses one of the pumps bolts).

The pump do make awful annoying noise when dying/dead. They are really a replacement new unit only though some ppl have done DIY repairs.

A very good way to find where noise is coming from is to use a listening rod. A length of wood like a broom handle, length of dowel, long screwdriver etc, hold one end pressed against your ear and the other you move around to different parts of the engine to find your noise .(being aware of moving parts :lol: )

[Timbob]

Thanks for the advice, if it was that could it be related to the timing belt going? I was wondering how likely it would be for the guy who did the repairs to set the valve clearances incorrectly. He has a good reputation?

[davidlandy]

sometimes a ticking sound can be the headgasket blown at the rear

[Evilgoat]

it will be the vacum pump

LRs suffer from this too?!

Its an old, well known cause of odd ticking noised on most older audi engines. If the same holds true for LR as for audi, but a new part rather than a second hand one, it'll go again in months if you do (not that I've done it or anything)

[Timbob]

Right, checked valve clearances, all ok. One of the springs between rocker gear was a bit slack so I bent it a bit tighter. Ticking still there. Have not got anything long enough yet to listen specifically to the vacuum pump. Godamnit. Haynes says piston ring, is this likely. No sign of head gasket failure. Yet. This is getting depressing. Again thanks all.

[davidlandy]

you may not loose water or oil to indicate the gasket has gone - it can blow straight out without touching the oil and water holes.

I think that  Frankieboys went like this.

[L90OOK]

you may not loose water or oil to indicate the gasket has gone - it can blow straight out without touching the oil and water holes.

I think that  Frankieboys went like this.

Mine went like that too  :lol:

[Timbob]

I have now spoken to the fella that rebuilt the top on the engine following belt poppage and he, like others here reckons on valve stem caps. Mr Haynes isnt awfully helpful. Do I need a Valve spring compressor and how do you fit them? Back off the rocker arm and slip them over the stem jobber? No idea really. Any suggestions much appreciated. My mood may be lifting, aah the joy of optimism.

[Xtremeteam]

timbob

i see you are in perthshire

ill have a look at it if you want?

[Timbob]

Really? Thats awfully kind of you. Do you think I should get me some of those valve stem caps tomorrow, assuming the landrover dealer stocks them?Should I get a compressor?
Thanks again Mr Team

[Xtremeteam]

ill have a look at it first before deciding what u need to get,

sounds really like a vacum pump TBH

if you have checked the valve clearances & none were out then it aint gonna be the valve caps as when they break up/ vanish it puts the clearances waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out

[Timbob]

A couple were a touch out but nothing concerning really. One of the valves did not compress as much as the others? After listening with the screwdriver the middle of the rocker area sounded more high pitched than the rest but I assume that could have been down to the loose spring. The noise does sound engine based but with all that whirring could be anywhere i suppose.

[Xtremeteam]

what you doing mon night? pop down then & ill have a look at it

[ferret]

I have the same noise on my 200tdi defender engine. It gets worse as the engine gets hotter and louder as it revs higher. all the gaps are ok and it has had a new belt and tensioner fitted. At lower revs the noise cant be heard much. It reminds me of the sound an old ford i one had with a knackerd cam used to make but just one cam worn not all of them. :?

[Timbob]

That may be possible, probably difficult due to guests. Where bouts in fife are you? A noise from the pump through the screwdriver would confirm it as the problem you reckon? Need a bigger pole! Thanks for the offer, most kind.

[Xtremeteam]

lochgelly

[Evilgoat]

That may be possible, probably difficult due to guests. Where bouts in fife are you? A noise from the pump through the screwdriver would confirm it as the problem you reckon? Need a bigger pole! Thanks for the offer, most kind.

I have an old Stethescope I use just for this type of thing. great for finding dead bearings, clickly pumps and all manner of odd noises.

[Timbob]

Lochgellys a fair treck. Hope you dont mind if i see how my misguided fumblings go this weekend before taking you up on your kind offer. Please dont think that im doubting your opinion/ knowledge, but im keen to know how you fit these valve stem caps on the off chance the repair costs nearer a tenner than a hundred.
Thanks, Tim

[Saffy]

Do I need a Valve spring compressor and how do you fit them? Back off the rocker arm and slip them over the stem jobber? No idea really. Any suggestions much appreciated.

For reference no spring compressor required and your guess is spot on, back off the rocker arm and they pop onto the stem top. Very easy to drop into place you rather not want em to be.

[Timbob]

cheers fella, much obliged

[Range Rover Blues]

it will be the vacum pump

Any reason the vac pump can't be removed completely? does anyone make a blanking plate for it?

[Xtremeteam]

Lochgellys a fair treck. Hope you dont mind if i see how my misguided fumblings go this weekend before taking you up on your kind offer. Please dont think that im doubting your opinion/ knowledge, but im keen to know how you fit these valve stem caps on the off chance the repair costs nearer a tenner than a hundred.
Thanks, Tim

as i said earlier the valve clearances woulda been huuuuuuuuuuge if it were the valve stem caps,easy enough to check, unbolt the rocker cover, unbolt the rocker shaft & have a look.......

if they are missing it will look like a polo on top o the valves,

[Timbob]

Mr. Team, today I chanced upon an old retired engineer who reckoned 99% that it was indeed the vacuum pump. Cunning old [!Expletive Deleted!] had a good idea too. As a test/temporary repair he suggested removing it and after inspection, refitting it with extra gaskets to move it slightly away from what ever actuates the noisy thing. What do you lot reckon, sounds sensible to me. Got 3 new gaskets and will give it a go tomorrow. As you said Mr. Team, valve clearances would be way out with duff caps. One guy mentioned cracked caps? Would they make a noise? Also, finding TDC to remove the pump sounds like a right faff, is it possible to remove a glow plug and check the petrol way? Surely it cant need to be super critical, can it? Just out of interest, while I got gaskets at land rover dealer in town, asked price of new pump. £100 from Paddock, £270 odd PLUS VAT!  Ridiculous difference. Once again thank you all for your patient replies. I know stuff all bout diesels.

[Xtremeteam]

Mr. Team, today I chanced upon an old retired engineer who reckoned 99% that it was indeed the vacuum pump. Cunning old !Expletive Deleted! had a good idea too. As a test/temporary repair he suggested removing it and after inspection, refitting it with extra gaskets to move it slightly away from what ever actuates the noisy thing. What do you lot reckon, sounds sensible to me. Got 3 new gaskets and will give it a go tomorrow. As you said Mr. Team, valve clearances would be way out with duff caps. One guy mentioned cracked caps? Would they make a noise? Also, finding TDC to remove the pump sounds like a right faff, is it possible to remove a glow plug and check the petrol way? Surely it cant need to be super critical, can it? Just out of interest, while I got gaskets at land rover dealer in town, asked price of new pump. £100 from Paddock, £270 odd PLUS VAT!  Ridiculous difference. Once again thank you all for your patient replies. I know stuff all bout diesels.

never set one to TDc as all the vacum pump does is sit on a bit o the cam which has a lobe no timing is required of the vacum pump,

TBH you could space the vacum pump out but for the time you spend doing that to identify it you would have it replaced & go back to piece & quiet,

cracked caps would have the same effect as misisng caps as the clearances would be waaay out

mike aitken 4x4 in ladybank keep them in stock & are cheaper than paddocks i think


P.s won best apprentice mechanic 2 years running whilst working for a landy specialist:wink: so i know my shizzle

[davidlandy]

if you put more gaskets on would that take the pump further away from the cam and make it even noisier?