Thread: 1995 Defender head gasket problem

Originally Posted by brendanb

Well I rewired the fuel cut-off this morning and took the car for a quick run around the block. Ran well for 4-5km's then an acceleration started making a knocking noise. The noise is only when reving not on idle. I suspect that I will need to replace bearings in the bottom of the engine.

If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate them. Or else a recond short motor may be the answer.

Tends to happen when you run it on low oil!! Will be a big end bearing which can be done in chassis if journals are OK, however the main bearings mean either gearbox or engine has to come out to remove the crank.
If the big end journals are scored, again its a pull out for a grind!

Thanks for the advice. Pitty it wwasn't a company car. I am told that company cars don't need servicing and can go anywhere.

Originally Posted by brendanb

I am told that company cars don't need servicing and can go anywhere.

And they can go in places that 4x4's wouldn't venture

there is a somewhat butcherous method that will let you change the main journal bearings without dropping the gearbox....

ITs a last resort get you home kind of thing but providing on inspection the mains journals are ok and the crank isnt damaged you can swap out the mains without dropping the crank.

Having heard the sound a 'ticking' kind of sound I suspect it is more likely coming from the top of the motor.

We triple checked everything when putting it back in so unless we got the tappet adjustment wrong something is possibly loose.

Maybe wrong valve caps? The original ones were flat the new ones were rounded...

Any further ideas?

Maybe BrendanB can post a link to the sound recording of the motor. Suggested he listen to the noise again and determine if its coming from the top of the motor or not. (use a screwdriver against the motor trick)

Removed the rocker cover this morning and rechecked valve clearances. All were spot on 0.2mm. The knocking/clicking noise happens as you bring the revs up, it happens when the engine is hot or cold and is not apparent when the engine is idling.

Using a long socket extension I tried to see if I could tell if the noise was coming from the head or the block but I could not tell any difference. As I was on my own I couldnt get under the car to listen low on the block while the engine is rev'd.

guess next step will be to drop the sump and take a look at the big end shells to see wat condition they are in.