stuck with freelander problem

2002 freebie se said:

Ok, thanks. Then the vehicle is responding to the disconnect as it should. Guess I'll just keep trying.

Can you think of any suggestions as to the rough idling/running/slow warm up? As mentioned, I already tried replacing spark plugs and both oxygen sensors.

Click to expand...

HT leads?

I could understand the leads causing skipping/rough idling. But there's an obvious odor of rich fuel/air mixture. I changed out the oxygen sensors. Do you think the MAF could be causing that?

I should mention that I hear a rattling sound coming from under the hood that I've yet to identify. This noise only presents itself during the first 10 minutes or so of operation.

I think HT leads could cause an air of mixture if it was misfiring??

Rattling - not sure, hydraulic tappets?

I think you may be on to something. I know they haven't been changed since I bought it new (128,000 miles on the ODO), so it may be time. I took the vehicle and had the codes read. There were misfires on multiple cylinders. Any suggestions on a source or particular brand? Should I stick with the original leads?

The telltale tapping of lifters or tappets is pretty distinct. This sound is hard to describe, so I understand it would be pretty hard for you to diagnose over the Internet. But its more of a irregular, sporadic metal-on-metal rattling sound that eventually goes away after the car's well warmed up. I was wondering if it could be related. I'll stick with the leads angle for now, though, and see if it goes away after I change them.

One more question if I can: I see no listings or mentioning online for distributor cap and rotor for the 2.5 V6 anywhere. Am I right in assuming the 2.5 is not so fitted?

Thanks so much again for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated.

Im not familiar with the V6 engine just using my generic knowledge. I've looked online too and it would appear there isn't a distributor cap for this engine. There are two types of coil, one which has a coil for each plug (assuming this isnt yours as you have HT leads) and another which seems to supply two plugs.

Can you identify whereabouts on the engine the rattling is coming from ie top end?

The sound appears to be coming from the right side (driver's side on your side of the pond), but I can't tell if its upper or lower part of the engine. The red circled area seems to be the most likely location.

The area you point to has:

the main timing belt + several pulleys
alternater to the top right of it, under the acustic cover
power steering pump to the bottom right of it, under acustic cover
water pump just under the centre of the v of the v6 engine
auxilary belt
air con compressor at the bottom just behind the bumper

Could the tapping when cold be the vis valves?

ignore the arrow

Wow! Thanks for that diagram. I've checked all I can to see the source of the noise, but I cannot figure this one out.

As to the rough running issue, I've put in an order for a MAF. Really easy to install myself so I'll do that as soon as it comes in. I can't imagine that the noise I'm experiencing is related to the MAF, but hopefully its replacement will at least take care of the performance problem for now.

Thanks for all the suggestions.