series 3 rattle

my 2.25 petrol has developed a bit of a rattle sounds like it's just the other side of the bulkhead in the middle, you only really notice it on the over run. Tappets need adjusting, or something more serious? I would appreciate any advice as I only got it in feb, and i'm wet behind the ears! just fixed a bad oil leak from the petrol pump, I changed the oil when I got it about 500 miles ago,I reckon I should change the oil again as it still looks very black.

You have a rattle. singular? Lucky bugger. Could be anything. Try revving the engine with the bonnet open and see if you can localise it. I had a terrible rattle in mine, turned out to be the heater pipe on the rocker cover. Don't worry about the black oil, it probably means there's a bit of blow by in the cylinders, perfectly normal for an elderly engine. You could try changing the filter if you haven't already.

thanks! I feel better for that. Are they really that noisey? I must admit there are several different funny noises as it drives.so far there's not been any ill effects though. I shall try to localize it as you suggest.

If a Series runs quietly it means some miscreant has nicked yer engine & drivetrain. Or the handbrake has failed.... The rattle is probably something loose under the bonnet or on the bulkhead - mine performs a full symphony just from the air vent catches when you off the throttle.

The black oil may just mean the old oil wasn't fully drained - but the constant leaks, carefully built in by those clever chaps in Solihull, mean that you'll steadily be doing a continuous oil change between filter replacements.

OK, go find yourself a bar of metal - 1/4" or thereabouts.

With the bonnet open and the rattle occurring use the metal bar as a stethoscope by putting your thumb over top of it, wedging it against the suspected rattly bit and sticking your ear against the thumb on the bar.

Do be careful not to stick the bar into any rotating bits...that could be painful.

Tappets are easy to adjust using the rule of 9. Random rattles should be findable by just pressing a stick on suspected loose bitas and seeing if the rattle changes. Internal engine rattles would tend to make me suspect the timing chain and its tensioner - how is your oil pressure?

ajr

If it doesn't leak there's no oil in it You could get your hands on one of stethoscope things silverline sell (we have one but only used it once on the vectra) to localise it if you really want to.

scringewobbler said:

my 2.25 petrol has developed a bit of a rattle sounds like it's just the other side of the bulkhead in the middle, you only really notice it on the over run. Tappets need adjusting, or something more serious? I would appreciate any advice as I only got it in feb, and i'm wet behind the ears! just fixed a bad oil leak from the petrol pump, I changed the oil when I got it about 500 miles ago,I reckon I should change the oil again as it still looks very black.

Click to expand...

notice it on the overrun....sounds like my gearbox that i couldnt fix, still goes though

not on just the over run now, steady rattle all the time, tried doing the tappets ( it's never that is it?) and now suspect the cam chain. is this possible to change with the engine in?

timing chain will rattle if you snap the throttle open ,as revs drop quick,can be done in situ but could be poor tensioner ,rattle on overerun can be little ends

rattle still there but has not got any worse. Fitted a new pair of mirrors today tho' and I now know where all my engine oil is going, it took almost a gallon today for about 250 miles of use. Whilst flat out up a slip road I noticed a steady plume of blue black smoke from the tailpipe that HMS Hood would have been proud of! Rings? I wonder if it's something I can fix in the road outside my house with the engine in...or maybe put out feelers for a replacement engine.This one is a petrol but I noticed a redundant fuel drain off pipe dangling under the bonnet, and the vin plate says diesel, maybe that's the way to go...?

You will certainly get some rattles if you go the diesel route my 2.25 diesel gives new noises every day even after a full rebuild it is not a great engine for performance.
I suggest going for a 200tdi conversion. Leave the turbo off for an easier fitting job and you will get similar performance to a good petrol but better economy. There are people who will supply and fit 200/300 tdi engines for around £1200/1600 out of my budget but still seems good value.

I have managed to secure the purchase of a rebuilt 2 1/4 petrol from 'an internet auction site' and hope to drop it in in the road outside my terrace house. Neighbours are used to that sort of thing, what are we talking time wise? have to take the floor and seat box out don't you? and I wondered about the wings/rad panel...?