Engine rattle

[dudload]

Morning all

Looking for some advice on a rattle from my 1098 engine. The engine has a new (2 years old) head and I replaced the big end and main (using plastiguage to check clearances) front and middle bearings - not the rear as I can't take engine out on street. It's also got a new rocker assembly as the old one was worn as well as new push rods and cam followers.

After all this it still has a horrible rattle at startup that sort of disappears during revs and definitely gets let's bad when warm. I think I can hear a slight knock though in the video below when the camera is down by the offside.

I've also taken the pulley off and the noise is still there, removing water pump and alternator as culprits. Valve clearances are spot on (I've checked about 5 times now).

Any tips on what this could be, or anyone know any decent garages within greater London that could take a look? Most are only willing to work on engines out of the car, which is a bit on an issue for me to say the least!


https://youtube.com/shorts/e7mkxioKKq0? ... j5vhTnzTiu

[Myrtles Man]

Piston slap? Ready for a re-bore?

[dudload]

I guess the way to test that would be a compression test?

Haven't done one in about a year (the noise was around then too, but not as bad) and there were good, similar, readings across all the cylinders.

Will do another one to check though

[Bill_qaz]

Hard to tell in a video but as its more pronounced on passenger side Could it be a cam follower?
Does it sound crank speed ir cam speed 1/2?

[dudload]

Possible it's a cam follower, but I replaced old for me when doing the rocker assembly.

I think the tick sounds crank speed

[les]

Check out the distributor drive. Hold the distributor body, see if you detect a knocking.

[oliver90owner]

You didn’t replace the cam followers - unless you removed the camshaft. I expect you mean the rockers?

My best guess is the timing chain, but only a guess.

[dudload]

The cam followers can be replaced with the head off and the pushrods out?

I am worried it's cam bearing wear though.

Timing chain is stopped that I tried a while back. I do wonder if it could be the countersunk screws in the coming loose though....

[philthehill]

The cam followers of a 1098cc 'A' Series engine can be replaced without removing the rockers, camshaft or head.
Turn the engine over until the cam follower is on the back of the cam, then fully unscrew the rocker adjuster screw, slide the rocker to one side and withdraw the push rod. Remove the cam follower chest cover and pull out the cam follower.
Only the 1275cc 'A' Series and 'A' Plus engines require the camshaft to be removed to access the cam followers.
The countersunk screws should be Loctited in place so as to ensure that they do not come undone.

[dudload]

Thanks Phil.

Yup, I did use loctite on them, so maybe just being paranoid.

Took 8l the car for an MOT today, partly to check safety as I haven't had one in 3 years and partly for them to listen to noise.

Passed MOT and sods law dictated that the engine ran sweet as when I arrived and left!! So annoying, but great if it continues

[dudload]

Another video, taken today after a longer run.

Thoughts on it being a terminal knock, or something else?

https://youtube.com/shorts/guDDDC0-8dk? ... THeMiNybWH

[svenedin]

That's a rather catchy syncopation. It sounds like something hitting the sump or the timing chain cover. Something hitting something that is hollow in other words. Also I 'd check the fan isn't catching something. Or could it be the exhaust where it passes out from the engine bay or even the silencer hitting the car?

Stephen

[geoberni]

That's a rather catchy syncopation. It sounds like something hitting the sump or the timing chain cover. Something hitting something that is hollow in other words. Also I 'd check the fan isn't catching something. Or could it be the exhaust where it passes out from the engine bay or even the silencer hitting the car?

Stephen

Good use of "Syncopation", I had to look that one up .
I agree, it sounds like a 'hollow' knocking. I'm afraid the all too common 'wiz the camera round as quick as possible' panning technique is not beneficial to any diagnosis, it might as well just be a straight audio recording.
I don't think it's the timing chain, that tends to be more metallic and a much faster beat.
An ear to the engine in various places might help locate it, I brought one of these some time ago just for such strange noises.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291534191003

Edited to correct a typo.... That's what comes of reading your own post a day later.....

[svenedin]

It could even be something loose in the bell housing. Agree it needs going round systematically trying to narrow down where the noise is coming from and whether there is anything obvious hitting (like the exhaust). You may have to go under the car but take care with moving parts and hot exhausts. Ideally the car would be on a 4 post lift.

Stephen

[myoldjalopy]

That's a rather catchy syncopation. It sounds like something hitting the sump or the timing chain cover. Something hitting something that is hollow in other words. Also I 'd check the fan isn't catching something. Or could it be the exhaust where it passes out from the engine bay or even the silencer hitting the car?

Stephen

Yes, it could be the exhaust pipe hitting the car where it exits the engine bay. Or maybe the oil filter knocking on the engine bay floor. A quick check should confirm or eliminate these - mind the exhaust pipe has cooled down first before waggling it about!

[dudload]

thanks both. unfortunately, it's not the exhaust or the oil filter.

I'm at the stage where i think it needs to be seen by a reconditioner who can take the engine out and have a proper look at it unfortunately. problem is - who to trust in London?

ESM and Minor Services just that little bit too far (and far away from trains to get back). Most engine servicing only seems to do "engine only" as well, so won't accept the whole car.

[svenedin]

ESM will give you a lift to the nearest railway station but agree it’s a trek. They will also collect your car in a covered trailer (for a fee of course).

Stephen

[geoberni]

I'm at the stage where i think it needs to be seen by a reconditioner who can take the engine out and have a proper look at it unfortunately. problem is - who to trust in London?

Your choice, and we don't know the history of it, but from your video clip, I'm not even completely convinced it's inside the engine....
But then I'm no engine expert.

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, especially as the OP says he took the car in for an MOT and that "the engine ran sweet as when I arrived and left!!" I can't see how a fault in the engine would come and go like that. But always hard to diagnose these things remotely.

[Nickol]

Again no expert hier.

But I had a very annoying rattle/clonk that was very difficult to locate. It turned out to be the engine steady bar. If the engine head had been removed then so would have the steady bar. The rubber bushes/washers do not always sit properly afterwards. Easily checked by just removing it temporarily.