300 TDi Noisy, maybe tappets ?

Hello all

I'm now on Landrover number 4, another 300TDi.

This one is a S Reg, very low mileage one, with a main dealer service history. It was run by a local guy who passed away, and the car sold on to me. (It was a Disabled taxed one).

Anyway, its done a total of 75,000 from new (I've put 6,500 on it in the 3 months I've had it), and it has a very annoying problem which seems to be getting worse.

The engine, when reved to anything over 1,500RPM emits a tapping noise, just like tappets when they need doing. However, when I serviced it a fortnight ago, the tappets seemed fine, and I checked them according to the Haynes manual. I made no adjustment to the gaps. I checked for loose pipes, and even the exhaust brackets (seen noise from them, like this before) all to no avail.

Whilst the car is running fine, and there are no obvious other problems, (over heating, plenty of power and so on) I am really annoyed with this tapping noise. At speed (60MPH +) it sounds like a purr from a cat. Disengage the gear box (clutch in) the Revs drop and the noise disappears.


Any help appreciated...

Thanks all

Adrian

I know you said you checked the exhaust brackets, but have a look near the turbo for the turbo pipe heat-shield ... little curved aluminium (I think) piece of metal about 8" long and 3" wide, two bolts hold it on, but they are known to rust at the bolts and the shield gets held on by just one bolt, or luck ..

Did you check the valve stem caps when you checked the tappets?

could it not be oil pressure or a blocked oil feeder?

vacuum pump

If the valve clearances and caps are good then I'm with Trewy.

Treworgey 90 said:

vacuum pump

Click to expand...

you beat me to it ! i had this noise a while back and after buying one of then stethascope things to listen to bearing and engine noises i tracked it down to the vacume pump.
a new pump and no tapping !

Any the answer is....Vacumn Pump !!!!

Took the errant Lanny to the local independent Landrover specialist, he took around 10 seconds to identify the Vacumn Pump, although he also pointed out that the water wasn't to healthy either. The water pump issue was confirmed by a minor leak at the back of the pump.

He's going to replace the Vacumn pump, and Water pump.Since the Vacumn pump is off, he'll inspect the cam to make sure that isn't damaged as well. The serpentine belt will get replaced as well.

Reckons on 3 hours at £37.50 an hour + parts. We'll talk if it needs a cam.

Cheers all !

Adrian