11 replies to this topic

[joeaustin]

Hi all, my 1988 austin mini (1275 replacement engine) has started making a tapping noise coming from the engine, no loss of power or any other problems so I don't think it's anything incredibly serious and based on searching these forums I think it might be the timing chain tensioner.

 

For a bit of background info I bought the car in July when it had done around 700 miles from an engine rebuild (now on about 3450) - don't know to what extent the engine was rebuilt so unsure as to whether this part had been replaced, again based on reading the forums it would make sense if it hadn't been replaced during the engine rebuild but surely it should have been?

anyway, is it usual for these to need replacing after less than 3000 miles?

 

Having said all that I'm not entirely sure if this is the actual problem so I recorded me driving home from work to listen to, it sounds like i'm driving like a maniac but the car is just quite loud because there's no insulation and it has a stage 1 straight through exhaust and a stage 2 kit (don't know what that is, perhaps someone could enlighten me?)

 

If it is just the timing chain tensioner do I just buy a new pad or will I need pins or a kit or something? I have a Haynes manual and a fair few tools so is it a big job? Wanting to do it myself to learn how to do more things as so far i've only replaced discs, pads, radiator, heater matrix and rebuilt the carb

 

here is the noise: (too big to upload so it's on dropbox)

 

EDIT

that didn't work for some reason so I made it shorter as you can only hear the brake stone guard rattling in the full thing which i've sorted so the noise should be attached now

 

thanks in advance for any diagnosis help :)

 

EDIT

that didn't work for some reason...

Attached Files

•  car noise.mp3   245.86K   83 downloads

Edited by joeaustin, 01 March 2014 - 09:29 PM.

[joeaustin]

Anyone confirm?

[Icey]

Difficult to tell what's going on there. It sounds like there could be a leak from the manifold but there is a slightly higher pitched rattle which could be the timing chain or tappets.

 

You don't say what you've done to fault find. Checked the oil level? Valve clearances? Start with the basics.

 

If you do change the timing chain just buy a kit which will contain everything you need, they are cheap enough.

[joeaustin]

cheers for the reply, already had checked the oil and it was a tad low but not massively so topped it up anyway but that didn't change anything.

the high pitched noise is the stoneguard rattling (now removed) - I drove over a drain cover at about 40 because I couldn't avoid it and it was basically a fairly large pothole so the bits where it attached sheared off.

Haynes manual the best place to check the valve clearances? And will I need to replace anything like gaskets if I'm checking that? Cheers for the help

[joeaustin]

Here's a video of me starting it up if it helps

Going to check the valve clearances tomorrow as the engine needs to be cool and I'm losing daylight haha

Should I buy replacement rocker cover gasket and seal just in case?

 

 

[Icey]

If you do the valve clearances you'll probably find that the rocker gasket is dead if it's not been off in a while. They are only a couple of quid so worth changing either way. Haynes is a good a source as anywhere for instructions, it's an easy enough task and you should be doing it at the sensible intervals anyway.

 

However...

 

 

That sounds like a leaking exhaust. Probably related to belting that pot-hole. Check the manifold and downpipes for leaks (and/or cracks if it's cast).

Edited by Icey, 04 March 2014 - 08:06 PM.

[Coxie]

Does sound something like a snapped manifold weld to me.

[joeaustin]

Posted this on facebook as well and 10 people have said it sounds like the exhaust manifold gasket, is there any way to check it's definitely this before starting work on it?

[Icey]

Easiest way is with the engine cold but running, put your hand down there and if there is a hole/gap you'll feel the gas escaping. It will get hot quickly so be careful.

 

If it's on the pipe work (rather than at the head) you can usually see evidence of a leak as well as there will be an are of soot around the leak

[Stu.]

My 850 needs the timing chain replacing. It's a rattle type noise distinctly coming from around the timing cover (obviously) but it doesn't sound like your issue. I'd agree with the chaps above, it does sound like an exhaust blowing from around the manifold.

[minimender]

 I Agree, that sounds like a cracked or holed exhaust manifold, definitely exhaust blowing badly from somewhere

[joeaustin]

looks like there's a massive crack in the manifold, any recommendations for replacing it? already has a stage one kit so should I replace with this from minispares? http://minispares.co...8B.aspx|Back to

would a stainless one fit/be better like this http://cgi.ebay.co.u...atchlink:top:en

 

cheers!