'clacking' noise during tickover.

Dark Skies · 03-07-2003, 07:54 AM

Anyone know what this might be?

Friend of mine has an early 85 that hasn't been run in about three years. Was running okay when he put it in storage.

The other day we put in a new battery, changed all the filters. plugs, oil etc. etc. Primed the oil pressure with the coil lead off. Put the lead back on. Fired right up, but tickover has a little rattle under 1000 rpm - we put it down to the exhaust side engine mount being a bit shagged.

We let the engine warm up and then tried her for clean revving - picks up remarkaby well for a car that hasn't fired for so long. But ... every now and then at tickover there is a noticeable 'clacking noise' somewhere at the top of the valve cover. This disappears instantly above tickover and seems almost random somewhere from the valve train.

What does the group think?

AFJuvat · 03-07-2003, 08:02 AM

Sounds like a "gummed up" top end as a result of age - let it run for a bit (regular driving for a week or so) and see if it clears up Since the car has been sitting for 3 years, the belts definately need to be changed immediately.

How severe is the ticking/clanking?

AFJuvat

Dark Skies · 03-07-2003, 08:18 AM

I did wonder if one of the lifters was sticking slightly - I've never actually seen one on the Porker - but assume it's similar to the set up on my Kwacker 1100 a shim sitting on a bucket over the valve. Belts will be changed as soon as he's got it taxed and tested for the road.

The ticking noise is usual valve train level. The clacking is a sharp metallic noise right at the top of the valve area (which is why I wondered if it was the slap of a sticking lifter). Disappears with the slightest throttle and there is no grumble or regular rattle that one might associate with bearing wear. As I said ... it's right at the top of the valve gear rather than in the engine.

Dark Skies · 03-07-2003, 08:20 AM

Oh, and it seems limited to the centre of the valve cover - suggesting just one valve is affected.

todwic · todwic's Garage

Yeah, here's the lifter.

Not really much to them, but theyll clack at start up prolly because the oil drained out of em. Drive it like mamma said and it should quieten down.

Dark Skies · 03-08-2003, 02:50 PM

Okay,
Cheers chaps - we'll give her a run and see if she quitens down.

todwic · todwic's Garage

If that don't work, try the ATF in the oil trick. (a search should find the thread. I believe I searched "lifters" and the 924/44 forum only and it turned up. It's a pretty old post but informative. And then go have a pint of bitters. don't argue, you owe it to yourself.

todwic · todwic's Garage

Man I fogot to get a pic of the whole. It's in the side of the lifter, you can see the discoloured rung around the center. there's a hole there about the size of the tube nozzle on a can of WD-40