D1 4.0L gems engine ticking

[latarheel]

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_pI5k7gpySUU2c1QVZHTzAxYzA/preview?pli=1

This mystery noise has me baffled since I can't hear it with my head under the bonnet but noticeable in the cabin especially in the drivers footwell . I would describe it as a slight ticking that is there cold or hot engine and increases with rpm. Checked manifolds and ypipe for leaks but all check out ok.

 

[blauvelt]

check spark plug wires for failure (cracking) especially at the coil packs...tonight, pop the hood with the engine running (and rover in park), watch for the light show.

 

[singingcamel]

how did you check for exhaust leaks?

 

[latarheel]

removed fan to stop airflow and checked manifold and ypipe connections for air while engine running with my hand

 

[latarheel]

Cranked it up last night at dark and it looked like a Pink Floyd concert under the hood. Ordered STI 8mm wires and will report back on result.

 

[blauvelt]

mine drove me bonkers for a couple of months, finally the engine started cutting out, one of the coil packs was arcing to the firewall via the plug wire. new wires and the ever present *tick* went away.

Cranked it up last night at dark and it looked like a Pink Floyd concert under the hood. Ordered STI 8mm wires and will report back on result.

 

[latarheel]

The STI plug wires came today and I just installed them with no impact. Will check again tonight for arcing. Puzzling...

 

[ptschram]

Check to see if it is the dreaded rocker arm cup condition that was prevalent in early GEMS trucks.

If it is, call me, I have the hook-up on rocker arms.

 

[latarheel]

No arcing observed in the dark last night. According to Chris' posted TSB bulletin 12/02/00/NAS from 2005, my vin # is in the range for rocker arm noise. I'll check it out. Thanks PT!

 

[ptschram]

Let me know, I either already have them, or (if I can keep the balls in the air) I can get them pretty cheap.

This was so common for a while that Rover made the rocker arm assemblies available for only $115, not the $700+ if you can find them now.

 

[latarheel]

Rocker arm cups good. With noise in drivers footwell, I'm going to explore with stethoscope to try and isolate

 

[d1driver]

Try this........with truck running.......hit the drivers side catalytic convertor with a hammer and see if noise changes. My truck sounded like it was knocking, and had a tick. Still does, but I am 100% confident it is the convertor causing the noise. Under the hood is nice and smooth and quiet.

 

[Buddy]

How did you check the manifolds? Did you take them off? When I bought my DI it had a tick just like that. The guy selling it told me it was a cracked manifold I didn't believe him and thought it was lifter noise. He gave me a spare manifold so on a slow weekend we pulled the manifold and sure as shit on the inside facing the engine block was a tiny hairline crack that was barely visible except for the slight soot line forming around it.

Installed the replacement manifold and it has been quiet ever since.

 

[SavageRover]

My silver truck had the tick, it turned out to be a stuck lifter. Luckily I acted pretty quick, change the oil like 3 times and switched over to 15w40 at that point but with the last oil change I did I put in some marvels mystery oil. About 250 miles later there was no tick and my engine purred again. Just my .02. Good luck!

 

[singingcamel]

Suck some seafoam thru the intake and look for exhaust leaks, it'll some where the leak is.

 

[latarheel]

I'll try the seafoam today and see if I missed a leak. Also swapping coil pack to rule out random pings to the firewall. Thanks for the intel guys

 

[latarheel]

Did the SeaFoam in the intake today and no smoke from exhaust manifolds so ruling leaks out. Swapped the coil pack with no effect. Tried techron in the tank this week for a sticking valve to no effect. Assuming stuck lifter and will do an oil change again with MMO this time and put some miles on it.

 

[SavageRover]

Hope it works out as well for you as it did for me.

Ps start to worry if it starts to sound like this...http://youtu.be/RT0zB47mPfc

 

[fishEH]

Run it till it blows, drop in a 4.6.

 

[latarheel]

Ha, my ticking is a tad faster than that. While the seafoam spray in the intake didn't reveal any leaks, I did see another forum post on hairline weld cracks on the y pipe below the flange gasket so I am checking that out tomorrow. Since the sounds is heard clearly in the driver's footwell and not the other side, it may be a clue. Other than the ticking, it purrs like a kitten and has plenty of punch for a 188 hp overweight truck