Ok, so there is this '04 DII with 103k that I'm considering for purchase but the engine is making a ticking sound. Seller says it needs new head gaskets. Does the ticking sound indicate there might be something wrong with the block?

Thanks.

 

well it doesn't mean it need head gasket,(it could need head gasket), but that is not the cause of the tick.
the tick could be anything from loose valve train to a broken oil pump.

 

The ticking usually comes from low oil pressure currently, or untreated low oil pressure in the past. Low oil pressure can come from two things, broken oil pump, or use of inappropriately thin oil. Ask what oil the owner has in it and where it was last changed (jiffy lube not good.) Low oil level could also produce tick. check dipstick.

The best thing to do is to find a local independent Land Rover specialist and make the purchase conditional on a positive pre purchase inspection.

What region are you in and what is the price?

An inspection may give you extra bargaining power or peace of mind, could go either way.

 

There are many causes of ticks, but one is a lifter that is collapsing at idle. Mine does it. When you start from cold, all is quiet, but as the oil warms up it develops a tick that goes away as soon as you rev up the engine even slightly.

Note that sticking lifters can sometimes be fixed by using a high-detergent oil for a while.

 

Good point Mark, which is why most experienced D2 owners use and recommend Rotella 15w40 or a similar weight oil with diesel engine additives, high ZDDP specifically.

These engines can easily get gunk and sludge buildup due to lack of maintenance... long oil change intervals, etc.

 

the tick could be anything from loose valve train to a broken oil pump.
so if this guy does not know the difference from a head gasket and valve train / oil pressure problem, you don't want to be buy anything from him.

 

Yes I will be switching to the Rotella soon. Right now it has Valvoline 10w40 with some Seafoam in. I'm going to give that mix a thousand miles or so, then re-fill with the Rotella.

I'm not that worried because if I drive it for a while, then stop - all is silent. Then after idling for a few minutes the tick comes back. I figure the worst case is that I destroy the camshaft - and they are not expensive.

 

Use your cell phone video recording ability. record the tick with the sound.
Post it to youtube so we can hear it.

 

I had a tick that has has gone away after a couple of oil changes, seafoam in the Gas and oil and using High Mileage synthetic 10-40 weight oil.

I will have to give this Rotella 15w-40 a try next oil change.

Is it OK to switch to the Rotella after using synthetic or is Rotella synthetic?

 

Rotella makes both the 15-40 in Dino oil.