Engine Rattle

[Tug]

Hi All,

Just need to pick over your knowledge....

2.0 CU Engine (Original Engine in Van) Its covered 120.000 miles now.

Over the past couple of months I have noticed an alarming rattle on tickover (Louder when cold). No knocks or rumbles on startup or when engine is placed under load (Hills etc). So not big ends or anything like that.

However it appears to be getting worse. Have noticed from cold that it seams to crank over on 3 cylinders then 4th kicks in when I rev it slightly. (Sounds like timings out sound when you turn her over) The timing is bang on with Bosch leads and plugs fitted. Replaced last year.

Am I right in thinking that my Followers are knackered..The noise sounds like a stone in a hubcap when it ticks over but gets quieter when its warmed up.

Changed the oil last month to 15/40 Morris Mineral from Morris 20/50 Classic Mineral. Have run the van on 15/40 in winter and 20/50 in the summer. Oil is clean when it comes out with no metal bits in the filter or Strainer.
Oil is changed twice a year..van does 5000 a year tops.

Aside that van runs well..Pulls nice up to 60 mph and returns awful MPG as they all do !

Dont want to fullyrebuild engine as I think Im going to Diesel it eventually. Would have preffered LPG conversion bu if the engines going to need a rebuild then Diesel it will be.

Thanks in advance.

Glenn.

[Tug]

I Guess no one knows then..

Anyway started it this morning and I was wrong it does not do it from cold the rattle comes in after a couple of minutes.. Sounds like a soft rattle.. Im guessing its followers.

Im seriously thinking of dropping it now. Financially I cannot afford to run it as a daily driver. Its costing me £25 a week in fuel and I only do 60 or so miles !

Looks like the old girl will have to go.. Shame really as its had best part of £4000 spent on it in the 5 years i have owned it.

Bye for now..

[kevtherev]

have you read the article in the wiki regarding this?
it's quite normal and common for a flat four to have it's hydraulic tappets noisy with higher mileage
easily cured too

[Tug]

Hi Kev,

Thanks for the reply. I read the wiki at little while go. Ithink the followers on number 3 cylinder are causing the noise. Just been to Kidderminster and back and the van sounds good..No rattles sounds like how a Aircooled should sound.

If I leave it for 30 minutes then start it. The rattle will come back. 99% positve its a follower.

I just had a quote from my local Motor factors for the followers (Quoted from VW Part number) and I think I will replace them all. I know from previous experience that if you replace the followers/lifters then you should replace the camshaft.
Is this the same with the Flat four engine ? I have only ever replaced heads/cams on OHV/OHC engines in the past.

I have come to the conclusion that rather than get rid of my pride and joy I am going to spend some cash on her to get her right.

[kevtherev]

Hi Kev,

Thanks for the reply. I read the wiki at little while go. Ithink the followers on number 3 cylinder are causing the noise. Just been to Kidderminster and back and the van sounds good..No rattles sounds like how a Aircooled should sound.

If I leave it for 30 minutes then start it. The rattle will come back. 99% positve its a follower.

I just had a quote from my local Motor factors for the followers (Quoted from VW Part number) and I think I will replace them all. I know from previous experience that if you replace the followers/lifters then you should replace the camshaft.
Is this the same with the Flat four engine ? I have only ever replaced heads/cams on OHV/OHC engines in the past.

I have come to the conclusion that rather than get rid of my pride and joy I am going to spend some cash on her to get her right.

that's just a leaky lifter, it's just plain worn out.
remember these are hydraulic lifters and although it's a clever mechanism it's prone to abuse from owners who have not changed the oil enough in the past.
a new set should see you right and no need to change the cam. If any thing the valve tops take the hammering, but that's the beauty of hydro lifters they will take up the slack
follow the guide and fill them new ones before fitting