Hey all,
Little while ago my 95 Disco developed an engine ticking on the right bank of the block, toward the no.8 cylinder. Sounds like a card in a bike wheel, but with a sharp puffing sounds. Figured it would be an exhaust problem, or at least would be a good place to start. Been reading through the bazillion threads on the mysterious ticking noise, thought may as well start knocking stuff off the list.

I haven't been driving it since the 'ticking' started, and last night finished up replacing the extractor to manifold gaskets and the manifold to block gaskets on the right bank, which were all pretty f*cked. Added a bit of exhaust cement to fill any damaged areas and tightened all the bolts. Checked all the extractor and manifold weld points and such and didn't find any cracks.

Started her up last night and the ticking is still there, not really surprised at that, but now there's definitely exhaust gas in the engine bay somewhere. Triple checked all the gasket positions and they're all good. Can't see any damage or gaps on the block, can't be 100% though.

Anyone experienced any notorious areas for exhaust gas leak that I haven't covered? It's being projected under the engine as far as I can tell, but it's also coming out a bit heavy from the exhaust tail. Not black smoke, have to shine a torch through it to see it.

Cheers!

 

The number 8 spark plug can be treacherous to tighten. The exhaust manifold can get in the way and you can wind up partially cross threading the plug. The 'tick' could be an exhaust leak which would also explain the exhaust gas in the engine bay.

I didn't not have noticeable exhaust gas in the engine bay, but here is what mine sounded like.


http://vid796.photobucket.com/albums...xhaustleak.mp4

 

Being that the manifolds are as old as the hills check them for square. Flange faces are probably twisted just enough to produce leaks and clamping them down cold isn't going to pull them tight to the block. Check the exhaust manifolds for cracks too, doesn't take much of a crack to make the noise. Check the heads for any left over exhaust gasket. I use a table sander (belt/disc) to square up flanges, they do deform and runners twist. You might also have a head gasket leaking, normally it would be on 6 - no coolant ports. If you need a good used manifold contact Paul Grant in my sig.

 

I have also ran into a few cracked manifolds as well.

 

Holy crap, the man is here! Still doing 16's or on regular hours now?

 

Me too.

 

This sounds exactly like mine, only mine is a lot louder so probably a bit worse. How did you end up fixing it? [if you did] Might be looking to get into the engine in a little while so will be replacing the usual suspects anyway like the head gasket.

By the way, thanks for the vid. Have been trawling through way too many videos to find the right sound to match!

 

Will definitely check out that 6th cylinder area, looks like the spot that the exhaust is coming from so you might be right. Going into the engine soon hopefully, so definitely on the list to replace.

Any suggestions for a temporary head gasket sealant/additive I can use to get to from point A-B for now?

 

When I changed spark plugs as part of regular maintenance, it became apparent. Had to very carefully chase the thread and very carefully screw in the new plug. So far so good.

 

There is nothing you can do but replace a head gasket when the fire ring has been cut.