Thread: Not noisy lifters, then what?

Haven't tried auto oil, no, have only had the car back with new lifters for a day so far. Am taking it back next week to get oil pressure tested.
Tried revving it a bit today when I had the first go at the grid off the lights to see if that'd pump up the lifters but it didn't really work. If I get nowhere with LR I'll try the trans fluid. Willing to try anything now cos it sounds terrible. It used to fade in and out a bit with the old lifters but the new ones are definitely noisier.

Exhaust leak, I've heard of this before but geez it sounds awfully metallic a sound to me. It has to be something following the rise in engine temp, because it only happens with a warm engine. best guess so far is lack of oil pressure. i'll keep you posted...

i have had your problem with a much older engine, don't disregard the exhaust leak possibility.
it is quite common for the exhaust manifolds to leak a bit and cause a severe metallic noise. if you can run the engine and squirt a bit of water or something around [i use windscreen cleaner -'cause its there!] you may see bubbles or the steam being blown from a leak where the manifold is bolted to the head, and someone else also suggested the engine pipe to the manifold joint, this also can produce the tinny noise, as the gasket rattles, well really i think it flutters like the reed in a flute.

Originally Posted by harry

i have had your problem with a much older engine, don't disregard the exhaust leak possibility.

Not a bad idea. I think I'll try yr suggestions tomorrow and also see for myself that the exhaust bolts (to the heads and to the downpipes) are tight. You'd assume that with new exhaust gaskets fitted (the heads were off and serviced) that it'd all be fine and dandy there, but as I found out with the new lifters, never assume...

Now I'm told this is normal, that Series II Discos have an engine noise that sounds like lifters. I could replace the rockers for $1100 plus labour to try and quieten it, but that probably won't fix it, I'm told.

Oil pressure is normal.

I don't know what else to say except I can't quite believe this rattly sound is normal.

Are your V8s quiet or noisy?

From a post on the Rangie list today:

Originally Posted by Austin Franklin

I have an 89 RRC that had the same thing. The mechanic insisted it was rockers even though I asked him to make sure it wasn't an exhaust leak. So $600 later, I still had the same putting. It was the $2 gasket on the rear most passenger side exhaust port. The leak was so obvious, all you had to do was put your hand around it and you could feel it. I fixed it, replaced them all plus the studs and nuts. It's been fine since.

Originally Posted by Willem Shultink

I would check the exhaust manifold to pipe joint for exhaust leaks. I now it sounds mechanical, but check it anyway. I chased a noise like that for weeks before discovering what it was. Check by using a length of hose held to your ear. Carefully go all around the joint with the ther end. You'll hear if there is a leak - its very obvious.
You might want to also check the head to manifold joints for leaks. The cure is to tighten up the manifold studs. (I was going to say
'tighten up the nuts', but you can imagine the response that would have got! )

Ron

Wow. I had internet connections probs yesterday so only this morning have seen all your responses. I am very grateful for all your input.
I picked up the car from, ahem, the 'genuine' mechanic who did the work, and he said it may be a worn rocker shaft on the left bank. This was after I told them when I dropped off the car to look at again that I noticed it was noisiest at the left rocker cover. They insisted everything else, including the caps on the rockers, the camshaft, etc was checked when the engine was apart. I don't know if they did, I guess I'll have to try to take that at face value. I have asked about pre-load but opinions seem to vary on this - some say you don't need to do this anymore, the guy who worked on my engine said he couldn't do it (!)
I then got a second opinion from a 'LR expert'. He put a stethescope over the engine and said that the noise was 'more than he liked' (thank god! I am not imagining things!) and that it was coming from the left bank, and probably it was recessed rocker arm caps. He said it should not do any damage while at that level but if it's what he thought it was (rocker caps) it could get to the point where valves aren't opening. This fellow is a very good LR mechanic and I was a fool not to take it to him in the first place. If he is right, I will have some words to say to the first mechanic, who insisted these parts were ok.
I am going to try Nulon lifter conditioner again (which actually worked for a short while before the engine was touched) and/or a thicker oil than the 20W50 GTX2 I am now runnning. I'll try Penrite HPR30. These are really only stop-gap measures, I know, but at least it may help quieten the racket until I have enough $ to look deeper again.
In a sense it's like have a big dent in a panel - it's only cosmetic but if you really like your car, would you drive around like that? That's how I view it - I want my vehicle to be in good mechanical shape - not perfect, but how it should be running.
I'll may even do the work myself this time, it'll be much easier than taking off heads etc .
Thanks again everyone.

Thank Heavens i am not alone.

I have EXACTLY the same problem. Strange tappety noise that nine mechanics have all said "It's perfectly Normal".

Answers have included
1. It's perfectly normal.
2. It's there but is perfectly acceptable.
3. Rover engines always soud like that.
4. I heard it but the cheif Technician can't.
5. We might try putting heavier oil in it.
6. There's nuthin there mate
7. Yes i can hear it but it's not worth pulling the whole engine apart to find out what it is!
8. Let's put some ATF in the engine. Like hell!
AND FINALLY an actual diagnisis from the Boys up at MR
9. You need to hold a ruler along the top of the lifters to see if they are all lined up because rover V8s do this. And it's still not bad enough to warrant all the work.

MY Solution. I bought a really noisy exhaust and now I just drive with the windows open and listen to all that ULP going out into the rain forests,

Good luck mate, you are really going to need it.

Ian

try option 8......

use about 250 mls and run it for a day or two......
if that dont work pour in another 250 mls........


if this is gonna work......you will hear a difference in under 15 mins......