18 replies to this topic

[BVY]

Hi,

 

My engine sounds pretty rattly when it's idling. Some of the noise sounds like the tappets. I adjusted the rockers but still have the tappety sound (I never seem to quite get them right)

But the main noise sounds a bit like a diesel engine if that makes sense... 

The noise doesn't seem to get much louder when I drive. Seems fine on the motorway etc and doesn't feel like it's losing power. Just wondering what i could look at or test to find the source of the noise. 

I'm really hoping it's not something like the big end bearings!!! 

I haven't got as far as changing the oil since I got this mini either. If the oil in it now was too light would that make the engine sound bad. Maybe some fresh 20/50 will have her purring nicely?? Wishful thinking no doubt...

 

Here's a quick vid. Sound quality isn't the best....

 

Cheers

[Mood 1990]

if its big end bearings you could do some serious damage driving it on a motor way. The cranks wont be spinning centrally, if the bearings are breaking down you could end up with little bits of metal being pumped around in the oil scratching every surface thats meant to be smooth. 

 

Im afraid i cant be much help diagnosing by ear though. Does the pitch change at all when you put your foot on the accelerator?

When my big ends went it sounded slightly louder and higher pitched when you touched the throttle.

[minimuk]

put screwdriver handle end to yr ear, then put the sharp end to random parts on the engine when idling,try and locate where it comes from, the louder the closer you are, then you can pinpoint it and tell us....

[BVY]

Thanks for the quick response!

 

I just went and had a listen. I used the screw driver trick to listen to parts of the engine for rattles. I think the problem is actually the alternator. It sounds really rattly.

There does sound like some other noise somewhere, but I'll take the alternator off first and try to sort it. Then Hopefully i can hear if there are any other noises.

 

Cheers

[BVY]

put screwdriver handle end to yr ear, then put the sharp end to random parts on the engine when idling,try and locate where it comes from, the louder the closer you are, then you can pinpoint it and tell us....

Haha just realised you posted same idea 

[minimuk]

you get there in the end, good to ask on here, many minds are better then 1 . Good luck

[BVY]

Exactly!!

Think I'll start with an up rated alternator so I can run some big fat spots, and a stereo 

[minimuk]

70amp will do.....unless you want to go mental......

[Tamworthbay]

Exactly!!
Think I'll start with an up rated alternator so I can run some big fat spots, and a stereo 

Try spraying wd40 into the alternator. If the bearings are on their way out it, the Wd40 will quieten them down for a few seconds. You can replace the bearings but with the price of alternators its hardly worth the effort.

[BVY]

I'll get my WD40 then 

[iwatkins]

Tappet noise might actually be the rockers catching on the rocker cover if not replaced straight or a poorly fitting aftermarket one.

Easy to test, get it running and loosen the rocket cover bolts and lift straight up but not off, if it gets quieter then there you go.

Yes, I spent about four days adjusting the gap on the valves until I realised where the noise was coming from.

Cheers

Ian

Edited by iwatkins, 17 May 2013 - 07:54 PM.

[BVY]

Nice one. I'll give it a go on my next tinkering session...

[robminibcy]

Difficult to tell from the video but in sure mine sounds exactly the same. It also seems to have the same symptoms (runs fine and doesn't seem to get louder). It sounds to be coming from the alternator although I know its not as a few weeks ago I took the fan belt off for a minute and it was exactly the same. It sounds to be like its coming from around the bottom pulley. Its very muck a tappy rattle rather than a knock which suggests to me that its not big ends. (although to he honest I've not heard what bigends sound like when they're going,in just going by peoples descriptions). I'll be keeping a close eye on thus topic as it might help me out as well. 

[retroracer1275]

I had the same noise, the tensioner on the timing chain had snapped 

 

might be something like that if the noise is on the alternator side 

[robminibcy]

Thinking about it now that sounds about right. Will driving it like this cause damage?