Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,

Took my car out for a sunday afternoon run (around 60 miles). On the way back the engine started making a funny noise. It's a bit difficult to describe it but it started off like a loud grasshopper then went to a click, click, click noise. Doesn't seem to happen at high speed but I wondered if anyone here has any idea what it could be before I dust off my Haynes manual. The car seems to be running as usual apart from this noise, and it's not the fuel pump 'ticking'.

Cheers,

Louise

Hi Louise.

Have you recently replaced the distributor cap? It could be that the rotor arm is hitting on a misplaced terminal.

Other than that... I'm stumped!

It's not the tappets is it? After a run, the oil would become thinner and so something like this could become more noticeable... I'd say to check the rockers before worrying too much.

How loud was the noise ? Was the engine still running ok ? Could be first signs of blown head gasket !

Car is running fine and I don't think it's the head gasket as I've had a blown one before and it didn't sound like this. It's not very loud but more of a metallic click, as though something is loose? Have driven minors for 11 years and haven't heard a similar noise before. Will check multiphonikks distributor cap theory as a new cap was fitted about 4 weeks ago so something may have worked loose. Seems odd that it doesn't seem to happen at speed though. Any more theories gratefully received as I won't have time to check it out until next weekend.

I've seen the one that this happened to - as far as I know, it wasn't a quuestion of 'working loose', it was wrong from new.
a

wich speed do you hear this?

I've got a similar noise between 55-60 mph and it was a defect earth wire

Well, it COULD be a tappet adjuster was not done up tight and has come loose...... put a screwdwriver end on the rocker cover and put your ear to the other end and listen. If you can hear the tapping loudly in one place more than others (as you move the screwdrive end around on the rocker cover) then whip the rocker cover off (engine off of course) and re-set your rocker clearances.

Better have a look at the valve clearances - sooner rather than later. Could also be timing chain/cam follower breaking up/big-ends starting to rattle.

Having leafed through my Haynes I'm inclined to think that Cam is right, and it's a problem with the tappets. As I had an unleaded head fitted about 5 weeks ago I spoke to the garage that fitted it and they think it could be a loose tappet - in which case it's covered by the head warranty and they're going to take a look at it next week.

After you've fitted a cylinder head, its normal to have to adjust the tappets after a few miles anyway!

I'll go along with Cam but also add that if an oil feed to the rockers is blocked it could be part of the rocker assembly that is making the noise.

Ahh - you didn't give us the clue about the head work a few miles ago ! If they have fitted the wrong rocker gear - with the oil hole not matching the head - then the rockers will be ruined- have alook in the oil filler - is it all nice and oily in there ? If it looks dry - don't run it !! And if they left a rocker loose - what's the rest of the workmanship like !!!!

Thanks for the optimistic outlook bmcecosse I topped the oil up on Sunday and the inside of the oil filler didn't look dry, and I've covered around 400 miles since having the head fitted, having the tappets readjusted at 100 miles. The work was done by a long established minor specialist and I've had work done there before with no problems but thanks to everyone for the advice. I'll let you know the disgnosis next week.

off the point a little here, but is the clutch pedal return spring still in place?

It's probably just a loose rocker adjuster then. Especially now as you say it had head work recently.

Let the garage tighten it up (and re-set it) then let us know if it's cured it.

Long established or not - if they left a rocker loose - they are ****.