First, I want to thank everyone who contributes on this site for sharing a wealth of information. I wish I would have known about the Land Rover Forums 2 years ago when I first purchased my 2003 Disco. Would have been very helpful. I hope someday I can return the favor / pass on information to other LR drivers.

Yesterday, I performed the first ATF engine flush on my 2003 Disco (97k). I was immediately impressed buy the smoothness of the engine after the ensuing oil / filter replacement and start up. The annoying ticking noise was gone.

Today, after driving for 25 minutes (pulling a trailer) I noticed an even louder ticking noise on the passenger side of the engine.

Wondering if I had two anomalies not one.
Cold – sticking rocker arm? Possibly resolved with engine flush.
Hot – cracked or leaking exhaust manifold?

I visually inspected the EM but did not see any cracks. Are there any other methods to inspect the EM or known problem areas to look at?

I know ticking is a vague description so Iposted a video file. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfTwiE-D3Gs

Also I’m going to replace my VC gaskets soon. I’m plan to replace the wires and spark plugs at the same time. Any other recommendations while the IM & VC are off?

Also looking for a good LR manual?

Thanks MWmG

 

That is not exhaust. I get the same tick from time to time. Exactly that sound. I am curious to see what others say. I figured I had a burned exhaust valve...

 

I let the truck cool down for a few hours and did a restart.

The ticking noise was gone... I let it idol for about 5 minutes and was still silent - drove it 4 miles and the ticking was back again.Appears to be a temperature element to the problem.

Also noticed the frequecy of the tick is not consistant.
Ticks in two patterns--- tick.....tick.....tick.....tick.............tick.. tick............. then it repeats again.

I've read about 2003 oil pump issues.Can theOP be efected by warm vrs cold oil?

MWmG

 

I'm not sure what type ofvalve lifter design they have on these engines, weather they are pushrod& rockers, shim & bucket, hydraulic or what? But I remember some older GM engines would sometimes make that exact samenoise, and it was the hydraulic lifters sticking due to gunk clogging the oil passages. But I'm no expert...just an idea.

 

03's are know for oil pressure issues, mainly failing oil pumps, Rover lost a number of engine till they upgraded the oil pump. Stay on top of this one, go see Roy, you may want to have him do and oil pressure test to verify for sure what is going on.

 

You'll have to drain your coolant system to get a heater hose out of the way to lift the passenger side valve cover. Unless you are able to figure a way to miracle it out of there. It would be a good time to replace any cooling system items you think are getting wear, like the T-stat. Turn your idler pulleys to make sure they are not sticking, since you'll have thebelt tension released to move the AC compressor out of the way. Unless, once again you figure out a way to miracle it out of there.

My '03 sounds like a diesel when I crank it, and sometimes the noise hangs around. I really don't know. I think an oil pressure check might be a good idea for myself too.

 

The Rover v8 uses alloy rockers on a steel shaft, the push rods fit into a small steel cap thats pressed into the rocker arm, if the little steel cap gets lose it will cause a ticking right up in the rocker cover area, if you replace your rocker gaskets , evenly loosen the rocker shaft bolts (4) and remove the rocker shaft with the rockers, now use a small screwdriver that fits in the caps oiling hole and try to move the cap, if its loose that rocker needs to be replaced , two part numbers exsist for left and right positions for the rockers. of course there other possibilities but this is an easy fix and inspection if your already in there.

 

Thanks for all of the great advise - very appreciated.

Does anyone know of a good Disco service manual? Would feel better working with some specs.

MWmG

 

go to rover-renovations.com and search for the Rave CD. It has all you need, and they will send it to you free...

 

Would this cause the intermittent problem? Sounds like a good check to me. Sometimes I swear it moves from the left to the right side...