200TDI Ticking Video

I've posted before about this issue thinking it was different parts, just can't figure it out. I've: adjusted valves and replaced cover gasket, verified no leak in vac pump lines and replaced the fuel lift pump. The noise started after a 600 mile run in 12 hours at about 65-70mph. This was later found to be on valves with clearances of over 1mm. After the run, the fuel pump was leaking and oil was leaking from valve cover and passing the breather into turbo.

Anyway, here is the video of the engine with the ticking noise. Also apparent on start up is a puff of smoke from #4 cylinder.

Have you tried cracking the injectors to see what cylinder the noise is coming from?
I reckon its something related to the camshaft like a damaged tappet roller for example.

The injection pump is designed to give extra fuel for start up so likely cause of smoke on start up.
Large screwdriver aganst your ear and touch it against the block along camshaft line should be able to locate or a mechanics stethescope off ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2PC-AUTO...hash=item2f10d75186:m:mfAdrZ2puUCZBgi0bZFg_YQ

Stephen Lyttleton said:

I've posted before about this issue thinking it was different parts, just can't figure it out. I've: adjusted valves and replaced cover gasket, verified no leak in vac pump lines and replaced the fuel lift pump. The noise started after a 600 mile run in 12 hours at about 65-70mph. This was later found to be on valves with clearances of over 1mm. After the run, the fuel pump was leaking and oil was leaking from valve cover and passing the breather into turbo.

Anyway, here is the video of the engine with the ticking noise. Also apparent on start up is a puff of smoke from #4 cylinder.

Click to expand...

there is a puff of smoke that could be injector washer or rear of head gasket blowing which you should feel when its running

lynall said:

Have you tried cracking the injectors to see what cylinder the noise is coming from?
I reckon its something related to the camshaft like a damaged tappet roller for example.

Click to expand...

I have not yet tried the injectors, waiting on an order of copper washers, they are not readily available in these parts.

Do you mean crack them off while it’s running? Sounds kind of dangerous.

Hoping your latter suspicion is not the case!

Thank you!

Blackburn said:

The injection pump is designed to give extra fuel for start up so likely cause of smoke on start up.
Large screwdriver aganst your ear and touch it against the block along camshaft line should be able to locate or a mechanics stethescope off ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2PC-AUTO...hash=item2f10d75186:m:mfAdrZ2puUCZBgi0bZFg_YQ

Click to expand...

I did notice the vac pump hose was wearing on the engine pull hook. I have a new one on order.

I will try the medical doctor method.

Thank you!

jamesmartin said:

there is a puff of smoke that could be injector washer or rear of head gasket blowing which you should feel when its running

Click to expand...

Injector washer I can easily handle. Head gasket would be a nightmare, but I will prevail over this engine. Hand to be dutifully inserted when the sun comes up.

Many thanks.

I did have the head gasket blow on mine at the back on number 4 it got so hot it burnt the paint off of the bulkhead, put your hand down the back easy to feel, but I dont think thats your problem.
Head gasket is super easy on these engines.

Sorry forgot to say yes crack injectors whilst its idling, use a long spanner and dont whatever you do get your fingers near the pipe/nut, its literally fit spanner, crack nut engine note should change retighten nut, 5 seconds max start to finish each injector, also note if the tick noise changes as well
If note doesnt change swap injector with another cylinder if fault moves its the injector if its doesnt move its either a cyl /engine fault or possibly the injector pump but I doubt that as it sounds mechanical

Digging into this engine in search of the ticking noise, I removed the vac pump, oil pump and drive gear that mates with the camshaft. I noticed that some of the teeth on the camshaft were broken off the edges. This led me to tear down to get the cam out. In doing so, I found: (1) the cam had a flat spot on the part that rides in the front bearing, (2) the #1 cam lobe had flat spots, (3) the tappet roller on #1 had flat spots, (4) the front bearing had gouges, and (5) I found a few other not so nice issues.

Note that this 200tdi had only 5,700 miles since it was “rebuilt” and looked shiny new on the outside. It had 2 oil changes in this time, never overheated and was properly wore in after install. Seems like someone did a poor job refurbishing this hunk.

When I get it back together (with a bunch of new original Land Rover parts that I paid for by selling a kidney), I’ll publish another update.

Cheers for all the help! (5 points for lynall for calling the camshaft )