"Could be bad oil pump, bad lifter(s), exhaust leak, slipped sleeve, etc." Could be a lot of things; it is amazing how many guys sit around guessing what it might be, when what one really needs to do is to do what needs to be done to determine what is causing knock, noise, whatever, and from that, decide what you want to do to repair or replace, to correct problem. It is impossible to decide what to do before you truly know what the problem is; what needs to be done to correct it. If you must rely on labor from someone else, other than yourself, you are at a distinct disadvantage.
Why is it that so many guys buy Rovers, don't work on them--don't know how/don't have tools---must rely on others to work on them for them, but don't have much money to pay for such high cost? I have owned Rovers since 1963, and have always said that one shouldn't own a Rover, unless they work on it themselves, and know what they are doing, OR have enough money, deep pockets, to have someone else work on it for them.

 

I'm just sayin...if the only issue is a noise, it seems hasty and extravagant to get a new block just based on that.

I mean, I've read of people going like 40k miles and counting with a tick/knock on their disco.

 

Bottom line is you have a lot of questions to ask and a lot of research to do besides this one thread here before you know whats wrong and what to do about it.

Do you know what kind of oil is in it and what effect that could have on how it sounds?

You might want to spend a few days with your friend the search button, It is much cheaper than paying your mechanic (who thinks a BMW shop is the answer) to sit at his keyboard using the search button.

Type of oil, history of oil change frequency, history of overheating, oil pressure issues, amount of goo in engine, type of gas used can all effect the sound you are reporting.

As many have said on other posts, you find these things out, report them here, and wait for some really experienced members here to give you experience based advice...

Or you can listen to a bunch of us guess randomly.... Which is where we are right now.

 

mechanic said it wasn't the lifters and def no exhaust leak, I've been over that. Being that it goes away when I accelerate it doesn't bother me as much, being there's no loss of power etc. I did talk to another guy on the phone who had a rebuilt engine (in my area too)for 3995 and he seemed open to 'open it up' an find the problem before going the 'I need a whole new engine' On that note though, I did call Cannibal V8 and talked toSteve Johnson. He was a wealth of knowledge about these engines, where their faults are and how he has 'fixed' them with his rebuilds. Thanks much Yoops Racing. I'm not going to replace it yet but I know that guy has my business in a year or so. Appreciate all the help guys.
brian

 

It's amazing to me of many people in this day in age TROLL the internet to see other people having problems, asking questions, trying to figure out a solution on a discussion board-- have a problem with that.

 

This is some solid advice. I appreciate that. Although I have used the search engine a bunch. It never seems to really pull up threads for what Im looking for. I'll keep plugging away, I know it can be annoying having folks constantly ask the same questions.

 

I bought the car used/private purchase. The previous owner was an elderly woman, lived in a beach community in San Diego. Everyone says they change the oil at the proper intervals, but who really knows. I would think an elderly lady would keep up her vehicle in that part of town. On my disco I - I always put 5w 30 in it. On this model the book said put 10w 40, so I did that the other day with the check out. I have not checked the oil pressure but I'll use the search engine to figure that out. Gas used, again, it's used private, but again, we got an older lady with the ability $$ to do so, I'll run premium which what the book calls for.....or until you guys tell me I don't have to do that? I don't know about any goo in the engine. Doesn't appear to be any overheating problems, block is clean an so is the underneath.
Anyone ever had their timing brackets bust off and create a noise while idling but go away during acceleration?

 

Yep, I've spent days searching for the right thread here on a topic only to stumble onto the info I was seeking randomly much later. Often I'll search google on the same topics to see a wider scope of info from other forums.

While it is fun to guess and everyone has an opinion it is a useful exercise to get used to figuring things out the hard way when you drive a Rover. Being your own best problem solver is a huge value and will save your wallet a whole lot of damage.

When asking questions here or on any other forum the more detailed info you provide the better your results will be.

With any engine noise question you should already know and provide up front the following:

What type and viscosity oil you have in it, whether you keep it filled to full line... Whether its ever been in a Jiffy Lube... how often its been changed, what the oil pressure is cold and hot at idle and 2000 rpm's... Name and model of oil filter, any known oil leaks or regular loss/consumption issues... Whether it has the original head gaskets and has it been overheated or not... What the operating temperatures are both at idle and at speed...

And any other observations you think might be helpful... Such as you mentioned about it going away at speed.

All these details help narrow things down and as you know, NOBODY has a totally unique problem, they've pretty much all been had before.

 

I like to rule out the simple things first...

Replace the oil with Rotella 15w40 available at WalMart $13/gallon.

If you are in a warm climate try a 20w50 but make sure it is rated for and has the additive package for diesel engines.

Search Oil Filter for the "last word on" thread. Choose one.

Then if your noise continues get a set of oil pressure readings and go from there.

 

Careful with the $ = "by the book" assumption.

My MIL has plenty of money to get whatever gas she wants, but stubbornly believes that high octane gas is a scam because some dude at the Acura dealer said she didnt need to use it.