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Todd Phenneger (Toddp)
| Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 11:47 am: |
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My engine has developed a very noticable tick lately. Sounds almost exactly like a care with worn out Hydraulic Lifter, but aren't our 3.9's Pushrod engines? Its coming from the head area of the passenger side of engine. Sounds like its roughly under the valve cover. Barely noticable at idle but above about 1500RPM it gets very noticable. Got much worse after last 1,200 mile ski trip. (WHere I got the Disco Stuck for its first time after a 24" snowfall over 48 hours!!) Damn, I had new Dunlop RT's on order but they didn't get in stock in time for the trip. Anyhow, I know its hard to diagnose sounds on the net but I just wanted some opinions on what to look for. I just changed the oil after 4,500 miles (Synthetic Oil, K&N 3100 filter) and it quieted down a little but not much. THanks Todd |
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todd slater (Toddslater)
| Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2003 - 01:15 pm: |
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You have pushrods and hydraulic lifters. First suspect would be the rocker arms and shafts. Next I would look at lifters, finally the valves. What year and how many miles ? |
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Todd Phenneger (Toddp)
| Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 03:09 am: |
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Its a 1994, with 115,000 miles. Engine feels strong. Dealer replaced the Passenger Side Head Gasket under a aftermarket warranty a few months ago. (They didn't do the Composite Gasket, I'm pissed) Now its ticking but I dont think its related as it didn't tick when I picked it up. Not till shortly after that did I hear it start. How should I go About troubleshooting this? Is it anything to worry about or should I just wait till it gets worse and easier to find? Is there an adjustment for the Rocker Arms I can do to eliminate that as a possibility? Thanks Todd |
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trevor griffiths (Trevorgriffiths)
| Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 09:28 am: |
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there are no adjusments on the rocker arms or pushrods or lifters! the rocker arms had problems with th steel seats sinking into the soft aluminum and creating more clearance than a lifter can match. Also, are you sure it is not an exhaust leak? Blown gaskets and cracked manifolds can change their sounds as the engine heats up and cools off. |
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Tbow (Tbow)
| Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 10:23 am: |
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I had the same problem.. See my post "new disco owner Saga". I bought the disco with a ticking noise (after the dealer did a head gasket job) thinking it was easy lifter noise. Long story short, I never did find it. But on mine, the sound came more from the intake and exhaust than on the rocker. I came to the conclusion that the dealer did a VERY bad valve job when they did the heads because the valve stem heights were all over the place. But to troubleshoot it. assuming it's a top end noise, first remove the valve covers and with the engine running, slip a feeler guage under each valve between the stem and rocker. It will be a little messy, but you can slip a small piece of cardboard at the lower end of the head to keep oil from splattering on the exhaust manifolds. If the noise disappears then that is the source of the noise. From there, you can isolate whether it's the rocker or lifter. I understand the rockers are a major source of noise and wear because they are aluminum. Email me if you need more details.. Good luck. |
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Erik Geagan (Geagan)
| Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 07:29 pm: |
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check you exhaust, I had the same problem and at first the mechanic said it was the lifters and quoted me $3000.00. Then the day I got my inspection sticker, I begged the guy to put my disco on the lift (he didn't want to work on LR), and told me my cat was gone and the engine sounds strong. |
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Todd Phenneger (Toddp)
| Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 11:54 pm: |
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I'm almost positive its not the exhaust. I've listed to it from every angle I can and it truly sounds like its from Inside the engine. Tbow, can you REALLY run the motor with the Valve Cover OFF. That just sounds Bizzarre to me, but if you've done it then maybe I'll try it. Thanks Todd |
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Ron
| Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 11:56 pm: |
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"can you REALLY run the motor with the Valve Cover OFF" Yes. Ron |
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phil deguzman (Powerslide)
| Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 01:06 am: |
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You definitely can idle the motor with the valve cover off but be careful where you stick your fingers. I have a '00 DII and at 46K I hear ticking on the right bank and the LR dealer replaced 2 exhaust rocker arms and other parts. The ticking noise went away. |
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Mike Cox
| Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 03:05 am: |
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Check and make sure your spark plug wires are seated all the way. A poor connection will give a ticking sound. Mike |
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Todd Phenneger (Toddp)
| Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 03:20 am: |
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I'll check the spark plug leads. Thanks. Sounds like I'll also be pulling the valve cover soon. Anyone know how much a new set of Rocker Arms costs? Has anyone put Roller Rocker Arms on their cars. May be good for a few extra HP. Thanks Todd |
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Tbow (Tbow)
| Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 08:11 am: |
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Todd Yes you really can run the engine with the valve cover off. If you put a piece of cardboard on the lower portion of the head you'll keep the oil from splattering on the exhaust manifolds. If it is a rocker, then you should replace all the rockers including the shaft. I found DAP-Inc to have the best price for both. If it's lifters, I've found XKs has the best price for lifters and if you have to replace the lifters, then Performancemotorcars.com has the best price for the intake valley gasket. Good luck. |
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OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks)
| Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 10:36 pm: |
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Rocker shafts have gone down at the dealers due to high warranty demand. Last I checked they were around $70.00 a shaft assm. You could always remove valve covers, isolate your noise, and if you suspect rockers place new rocker shafts on. Then start vehicle with the valve covers still off to be sure and avoid any extra labor |
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jmon
| Posted on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 11:25 pm: |
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make sure its not your cats.. |
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Todd Phenneger (Toddp)
| Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 02:03 am: |
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Anyone know about aftermarket Rockers that are better. On other engines (Ford and CHebby) you can put Roller Rockers on that have a Roller at the end that reduces friction and wear. Also increases power a bit. Does our Rover Engine share the Rockers with anything else out there? THanks Todd |
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Jess
| Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 09:43 am: |
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i have ticking coming from the engine when its really cold....like on early mornin's when its 20's or 30's even...would like to know if i need to worry about it...just had valve job when they fixed some leaks....thanks, jess |
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phil deguzman (Powerslide)
| Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 03:53 pm: |
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Jess, It should be normal when it is cold but should go away once it is operating temps. |
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Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff)
| Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 04:14 pm: |
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Question. I have a similar issue possibly. On the passenger side can I easily just remove the valve cover or do I need to take apart the heater hoses (that run across on top), etc.? |
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muskyman
| Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 04:18 pm: |
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I just had a strange happening In a rush to get outa town for the holidays I changed my oil and used some 10\30 that I had on the shelf. after only 1000 miles the truck sounded like shit clicking and rattling like all hell. I ran to the local wallmart and got the mobil 1 20\50 i normally run and a bottle of Lucas additive from the local napa and changed my oil again. the motor queited down right away and all was back to its good running normal state. the oil I took out was allready smelling like shit so I wonder if I have a leakdown issue with an injector ?...but none the less the motor likes the good stuff in the thicker 20\50 viscocity much better...and you know the motto "give-em what they want" |
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Peter Matusov (Pmatusov)
| Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 04:27 pm: |
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i was hearing the lifter clatter every time the disco was started after sitting through the night at 45-55F. changed oil with 5W50 synthetic, and it went away. peter |