Freelander 2 (LR2) Any ideas what's causing this engine bay noise please?

2009 FL2 TD4 has just started making a strange noise. Cant quite tell where it's coming from but I think it's the left hand side of the engine bay. Can hear it underload or idle.

Dont believe it's the electronic throttle body as I replaced that fairly recently. Car seems to drive same as normal, but obviously the noise is worrying me that something is about to hurt my pocket.

Can anyone please identify (from the ot great video) what might be the problem?

Thanks in advance

I can hear worn valve gear. Mine isn't anything like a rattly as this one.
How many miles on it?
Unfortunately these engine have a bit of a reputation for valve train noise when worn.

Thanks Nodge

Car is on 145K

Not sure what a valve gear is but I will Google it.

Any ideas how much it will cost to repair, and is it suddenly likely to go bang causing lots of other damage, or just another noise to turn the radio up and drown out?

Thanks as always

parxuk said:

Not sure what a valve gear is but I will Google it.

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Valve gear is the accumulated valve operating assembly, which does wear quite a lot on these engines, especially if oil changes aren't done ahead of the manufacturer's specification.

parxuk said:

Any ideas how much it will cost to repair, and is it suddenly likely to go bang causing lots of other damage, or just another noise to turn the radio up and drown out

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Cost is difficult to say, because it depends on the extent of the wear found when the top cover is removed.
However if it's just the rockers that are worn, then the actual parts cost isn't that much.

Yes there is a particularly issue where the worn rockers can displace from the valve stem and operate against the valve spring retainer instead.
If this happens, the retainer can come off the valve, allowing the valve to drop into the combustion chamber, where it is impacted by the piston, resulting in a complete engine rebuild.

Great explanation thanks Nodge.

Guessing an oil change wont help now?

At the risk of getting some flak, is there a cheap option to temporarily stop/lessen the noise? We are just about to sell the FL2 and dont want to spend anymore money on it. Sorry if this makes me come across as a bad person.

parxuk said:

Guessing an oil change wont help now?

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If the oil is due for a change, either with time or miles, then change it anyway, and it might quieten it down a bit, as new oil has a good cushioning effect.

parxuk said:

At the risk of getting some flak, is there a cheap option to temporarily stop/lessen the noise? We are just about to sell the FL2 and dont want to spend anymore money on it. Sorry if this makes me come across as a bad person.

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I'm not that sort of person myself, but fully understand there's no gain in fixing it properly, for the next owner to enjoy the benefits.

I'd say put it up for sale, and see if the next owner picks up the noise when viewing.

Thanks again.

Oil is due a change so perhaps that hasn't helped.

Not that it makes much difference but I won't sell the car privately, but PX it instead.

You are always very generous with your time and replies. Thanks again