ticking noise

Hmm I seem to have developed a ticking noise last Friday. It may be air escaping from somewhere but I can't for the life of me find it. It's possibly at the back of the engine where I can't get too. It's quite loud/annoying when I'm pottering through town. I've searched on here and as a process of elimination I want to start with the Vacuum pump. Is there a way of checking if this is damaged or if this is where the sound is coming from? I've read about putting a long screw driver on it to pinpoint the sound but I'm a total mong when it comes to mechanics and I must look like a clown listening to a screwdriver handle haha. I want to eliminate the quick fixes first, things someone useless at mechanics like myself can do. Then at least if I have to wave the white flag and save for a mechanic I will know I've eliminated the things I could do myself. Any advice appreciated, pictures, links to other places. I've searched this forum for a few days but the issues all seem slightly different.

Oh and just to mention I changed the fuel and air filter a week before the noise started, I did the oil and filter the day after with no change to the ticking. I don't think any of this is related and I don't think it's cam noise however it does increase with revs.

Money on the Vac pump ...

The brake vacuum pump can start to fail and that gives a very load
ticking noise. as you look from the drivers (RHD) side and look at the
engine it is just to the rear of the oil filter. Black in colour with
WABCO on a small plate. it can also leak oil once it gets to this state.
The only cure is to replace it. fiddly but only a five min job...

But it could be a cracked exhaust manifold, or possibly the manifold gasket starting to blow...

Even a small blow on the head gasket at the back of the head near the bulkhead...

Start it up, get it warm, and use a short length of plastic hose to listen for the leak...

Put your hand down the back of the engine up against the bulkhead and feel for it blowing out between cyl head and block.My bet is head gasket going here its a known weak spot. You prob wont get any of the usual cyl head gasket symptoms such as overheating , oil in water etc.Mine ran with this for a good 6 months before i got my arse in gear to replace the gasket.

As above, but on mine a similar ticking noise was a manifold stud missing! Can't remember now if it was the closest or next closest to the bulkhead .. if felt like the exhaust was blowing or gasket had blown, but both were fine, just a non-existent stud! Went back together using same gasket, never had the problem since.

cheers guys, I'll check out the above. I am thinking head gasket but the water/oil all seem fine. At the least it's put my mind at rest so I can continue to use it whilst I investigate/save money.

Worth re-setting tappet clearances just to eliminate that. Easy enough to do, search 'rule of 9' on here or youtube

Poss stone in tyre if it happens when moving

nah it's happening on tick over still can't find the fooker :doh:, gonna have a proper look this week. Performance seems fine, just irritating.

Could be sucking a bit of air in somewhere, that make your injection pump a bit noisy. if that is the case, prime suspects are sender unit and sedimentor.

Mine developed an intermittent ticking noise on start up. Would be ok after a few seconds. By the time the bonnet was raised it stopped.
The only thing that was not right, was the top hose clips were a bit loose and there was a drip from thermostat housing side. (recently replaced top hose ). Tightened up clips and haven't had clicking noise since.
Strange innit.

Fuel lift pump? I heard they develop a ticking right before they go west .. or BOOM if you're particularly unlucky ..

I'd bank on head gasket too

yea looks like it's head gasket, can feel air from somewhere when I put my hand down the back, can't pinpoint exactly where it is but it seems to be head gasket. Gutted, well out of my depths, only had the thing about 2 months and maxed my credit card out buying it lol... oops. Does anyone know how much I would be charged labour to replace it at a back street garage type thing ?

You can do this job I’m sure your more than capable, it’s pretty straight forward really and think of what you will save apart from the knowledge you will gain.

Alsvartr said:

yea looks like it's head gasket, can feel air from somewhere when I put my hand down the back, can't pinpoint exactly where it is but it seems to be head gasket. Gutted, well out of my depths, only had the thing about 2 months and maxed my credit card out buying it lol... oops. Does anyone know how much I would be charged labour to replace it at a back street garage type thing ?

Click to expand...

It's not difficult once you know what your doing, loads of info on here.....eg http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/300tdi-head-gasket-replacement-141834.html just to pick one at random.

I'm sure there's tutorials on-line and many here would be happy to talk you through it....even better put your location up and someone might be willing to nip round and give you a hand

thanks for the quick responses and link! it's sort of putting my mind at rest, at least until next time I open the bonnet when I get home from work later lol.

I am in Liverpool, I'm sure where ever you are you'll hear my cries when I drop a socket into the block or somethin. I'll do some research when I get home tonight and try not have a panic attack! Wish I hadn't spent so much money on the most expensive oil last weekend now lol

I don't think you'll have to drain the oil.

i'd go with the exhaust manifold gasket... I've done mine which was making a "ticking sound" as you describe

total disaster of a day attempting this . I started at 9am, finished at 5 with no breaks and I've still not removed a single head bolt. It appears I do need an exhaust manifold gasket too!! I've snapped a couple of bolts, thankfully I think I can get them out however the cylinder head bolts are SO tight it's stupid. The ones under the rocker cover aren't budging and I'm worried I might snap one. Any advice ?

Well, they've got to come out now! If you've tried all else, use more leverage, ie, long breaker bar or piece of pipe over your ratchet. If they snap, they snap. At least you'll be a le to get the head off and the studs will either come out or you can drill them out. You can't do anything if the head won't come off.