Well I have a 1998 Disco with 250K original miles and it runs great but…..when the weather is warmer (above 50 degrees) the engine will tick/knock and I can not figure out why to would do this?

I have noticed that the electric fans do not engage when it is warm out EVER and do not engage when I use the A/C? I am now living in Bend Oregon and have contacted a place called Bend British that is going to take a look to see if maybe he can pinpoint the issue. He also said that he can replace the engine with a good used lump.

The question is what advice do people have with replacement engine vs rebuild vs swapping in a diesel from a MB or something like that? My engine runs great does not burn oil, or over heat…unless I run A/C and it is 110 degrees outside. The knoc/tick is a terrible noise that I have been driving with for over 20k miles but now I want to do something about it.

 

Have you tried any oil additives? What weight are you running now?

 

If your engine in running well, I wouldn't look at a rebuild or swap just yet. Get your fans running and then reassess. What weight oil are you using? It might be too thin once the weather warms up hence the knocking and ticking.

As a side note, you live in a beautiful area.

 

Also, not sure if you mentioned it but a 180 T stat or lower temp even might help.

 

I put a 180 T-stat in my 98 and it runs between 178 and 186 degrees on the Ultragage and just above the bottom of the "operating range" marks on the dash gage.

I am thinking of replacing it with a 195 T-stat later; any down side to running in the 180 range until then? Is that warm enough to normalize all the engine management functions?

 

No Scientific basis, but I would say yes. People kill their own family members to have temps between 178-186. With an aluminum motor I believe you want temps in that range.

But, what do I know.

 

I have tried the 15w 40 oil in the past but it did not make a difference. I am currently using a 10w40 Dino oil. I am going to be installing some working electric fans pretty soon. Not sure if it would fix the knock but I suppose that even if I get a new engine I would need working fans anyway.

 

When it cold out how long does the oil light stay on when first started in the morning? Mine has similar noises when hot guessing crank bearings are just wore out, got to rebuild mine before I spin one

 

Actually the light goes out very quickly upon starting. I just had a Rover specialist take a look at it and he was able to determine that it does have a slipped sleeve. I guess engine replace is the only option now as far as I can see?

 

Look into having the sleeve pinned. From what I have read on here this is fairly straightforward and can be done with the engine still in the car. Have not personally had the pleasure of this experience yet, thank God