I really need some help here. My 95 disco has had a really loud tapping noise after the engine heats up. I took it to several mechanics who all agreed that it was lifter noise. So I had my mechanic pull it apart and replace the cam shaft, lifters, timing gears and chain, and one rocker and push rod that was bent. He got it all back together and we ran the engine till it heated up. The tapping noise is still there!! It's like all that work had no effect at all. I don't know what to try next, mechanic wants to pull the oil pan, but I still think the noise is coming from the top end.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

I think would go with the mechanics idea about pulling the pan. But first consider a really strong engine flush just in case you have some old crap blocking the oil flow to some area of the engine. Try 6 qts. of ATF on a empty engine, don't shange the filter. Let it idle for 15 to 20 minutes then drain and replace with oil and a new filter. Also consider doing a mechanical oil presure test after that and before you pull the pan just incase you are dealing with a bad pump.
Good luck,
Mike

 

Thanks for the reply Mike. The mechanic is pulling the pan as I was reading your post. Will let you know what he finds tomorrow.

Joe

 

Well, he pulled the pan. He found the remains of a valve cover screw in the bottom of the pan!!
It was bent up a bit. Some mechanic must have dropped it down the oil passage in the head. No other obvious damage though. He put the pan back on and test ran the engine, but no luck the noise is still there. I guess next thing to do is pull the engine out and re-build it?