A K series Konundrum

[purplebargeken]

A friend has posted this:

 

Just thinking 'out-loud' on here folks, I've got a Rover 45 in, 2002 only 15,300 miles on the clock, its here because its making a row. The vehicle has had one elderly owner from new, just given up driving and passed on the car to his grandson, 17, first car, lucky sod. The car was making the noise when grandson was given it.

 

There is a tapping, similar to tappet noise from the engine, approx 400 taps per minute at tick over, so we shall assume half-engine speed. Only happens at tick over and when under load, not on the overrun at all. Raise the tick over speed to above 1200-1300 RPM and it quickly goes quiet, then returns as the revs drop back.

 

I've had the cams out, individually dismantled, cleaned, reassembled and refitted all the hydraulic followers. One very slightly marked on the face, one of a completely different type, though still the correct size. Refitted and run-up, of course very clattery for a few seconds until the oil got up but that passed quickly enough, but still tap tap tap seemingly from slightly lower down in the engine. A dial gauge in the plug holes shows no dead movement on any cylinder around top dead centre. Compression is fine, high and even. Oil pressure is good, engine runs quite happily apart from the noise. Its worse when cold but doesn't go away when hot, and the longer you leave it ticking over the louder it seems to get.

 

So what do we think? little end bush? BAD piston slap? HUGE pre-ignition/pinking because its never been more than 30 mph in all its life and combustion chamber is full of coal? All suggestions welcome! This one has got me puzzled.

 

Any ideas. i already mentioned OMG HG

 

Cheers

 

Ken

[ashmicro]

Piston slap. "They all do that sir". Unless it's really noisy, it's nowt to worry about. Lord Sward of this parish knows all about these things, and I'm sure he'll be able to give you the full S.P.

[Ben_L]

I wouldn't have said pinking, surely the ECU should sort all that out to stop it?

 

Tried giving it an italian tune up "3rd gear up the bypass, it fixes them all you know"!

[Albert Ross]

Do these have a "knock sensor" a la Mandingo/Shitestro OHC units? Never thought to look, and I've had many in bits..... never came across this one though. Exhaust manifold cracked? Gasket blown? Try tightening the 15mm nuts to see if it goes away....

[dollywobbler]

Pinking is a rattle - like metallic rice crispies as one person once told me. It's not really a knocking noise, despite the expression.

[oman5]

I'd agree with Piston slap. I have a 52 plate rover 45 1.6, one elderly owner, low mileage, it does exactly the same thing. I wouldn't worry about it.

[ashmicro]

If it helps, I'll take a video of mine tomorrow so you can compare the sound, PurpleBargeKen.

[Micrashed]

Given thatthe new driver is 17, I would suggest fitting a new stereo an couple of 6x9's and forget all about the engine noise as he will never hear it over the bangin soundz of 2Unlimited or whaterver young uns listen to today.

[brickwall]

Mine did the same thing. Never bothered investigating it.

[meggersdog]

Sounds like piston slap so give some Lucas engine oil stabalizer http://www.lucasoil.com/products/displa ... 5&loc=show .It works on a lot of these type of noises.

[Guest]

It'll be piston slap, usually present on the number 4 pot. Virtually all low mileage K-series engines suffer from this. TADT,S. Nothing to worry about, the lump is still good for 200k miles. Assuming its not cooked in when the head gasket fails.

 

Incidentally, no knock sensor on the K-series.

[purplebargeken]

Thanks for the views/comments. All passed on for mulling over.

 

Cheers

 

Ken

[purplebargeken]

Hmm, an update for you all to consider further. The Kplot thickens:

 

'35 mile motorway Italian tune-up undertaken this evening, I did get into fifth once when I forgot myself. There's certainly nothing wrong with the way this engine pulls.

 

Now for the weird bit. Drive the car in tight left-hand circles and the noise completely vanishes, on or off load, straighten up and she starts tapping again. No difference when driven in the same radius tight right hand circles.

 

Your thoughts please gentlemen....'

[Albert Ross]

It might be a fuel pipe. Try removing any pressured feeds from the body clips on the bulkhead, a mate had this on ihis Freeloader. If it cures it, refit with sponge in the clips maybe.

[barefoot]

always drive in tight left hand circles?...

[Station]

Bearing on alternator?

[ashmicro]

Albert's on to something, I reckon. I did read summat about the evap tank (large black plastic canister on the bulkhead) pulsing and vibrating. Supposedly, disconnecting the electrical plug on it stopped the rattle for some punter, so he went about insulating the can.

[oman5]

Albert's on to something, I reckon. I did read summat about the evap tank (large black plastic canister on the bulkhead) pulsing and vibrating. Supposedly, disconnecting the electrical plug on it stopped the rattle for some punter, so he went about insulating the can.

 

 

where's the rest of that little film? want to see what happens at the end

[ashmicro]

Albert's on to something, I reckon. I did read summat about the evap tank (large black plastic canister on the bulkhead) pulsing and vibrating. Supposedly, disconnecting the electrical plug on it stopped the rattle for some punter, so he went about insulating the can.

 

 

where's the rest of that little film? want to see what happens at the end

 

Sorry mate - it wouldn't come off so he have up. Have a new one instead.

[MikeKnight]

Sorry mate - it wouldn't come off so he have up. Have a new one instead.

 

The bouncing is nice, but I'm left wondering what she's doing with her hands.

 

I'll leave it to my imagination.

[ashmicro]

She has hands? Oh, you're right, I hadn't noticed. . Gonna delete her tomorrow, it's a tad sexist.