I'm aware there are many threads on here discussing this, but I was advised by DiscoMike to start a new thread.

I've recently noticed a ticking / knocking when the engine warms up, it's strange because it comes and goes when the motor is hot, and over the course of the past 3 days, it has changed frequency. By that I mean it's sounds like it's gone from 8th notes to 16th notes when the motor is at idle. It seems to speed up with RPM increase but it's quickly drowned out by other noise and I can no longer hear it. Sorry for using rhythm to explain this, but I can't think of another way to put it.

I've read all the possible things it "might be" slipped sleeve, oil pump seal, etc.. But I haven't gotten my hands on an oil pressure tester yet, and a local mechanic I went to quoted me $160 to check the oil pressure. I couldn't leave his shop fast enough.


My main concerns are finding a mechanic competent enough to fix it, and having it done quickly and affordable as possible as the Rover is my only vehicle (stupid I know) and besides the shoe-leather express I have no other means of transportation.

Any and all input is appreciated, I'm slowly realizing this vehicle might be out of my financial league... But I love her to death, and I wouldn't have any other vehicle.

Here's a link to a video I recorded of the noise.

 

That is a metal on metal sound.
Don't drive it.

First thing you do --
Take off the Serpentine belt and then start it and see if the noise is still there.

To me - it sounds like the cam shaft is bashing something.
but then it would have a misfire and it does not.

 

Actually,
On the climate control, put the A/C onto ECON.
Or turn OFF the climate control and the A/C.

Sounds like the A/C compressor is dying.
I bet the A/C does not work.

 

With Climate Control on ECON.
Fresh off the SD card.

 

I've heard spring loaded belt tensioners sound like that when they are flipping around. Sometimes, it's hard to see, but if you look closely, you can see it move. Just a guess, coming from a sound I recognize.

In the first video, I don't see the A/C compressor spinning, so not likely inside it anyways.

It sounded like front or driver side of engine. Mostly front? I'd still look at the tensioner and see if you see any movement, jumping. EDIT: Even though it CAN be the tensioner itself, normally the cause of jumping tensioner is a bad bearing on another item. ie: Alternator, A/C, water pump, etc... If I remember correctly.

Good example of the sound and what it looks like. Sometimes it does not show that much:

 

I agree w/Jfall...remove the serpentine belt. It doesn't sound like a slipped sleeve, or an exhaust leak.

 

Agreed. This sounds like a bearing rolling over and dying, not a typical loose liner.... Pull the belt and check all the pulleys and pumps before something bad happens!

 

Supersport - you hit the nail on the head!
I bet that is the tensinoer.
Sounds like a flapping sound.

Bro TheWhiteRover - here is a trick I did two years ago and lived through it.

Do this without killing yourself and see if the noise quits.
I did this two years ago.

big Ratchet on the tension-er and take the belt to slack

 

I'll give this a shot when I get home, I've replaced the serpentine belt, so this won't be anything foreign to me.

 

This would make sense too!
My Power Steering was getting stiff, loud, and had stiff spots. I recently did a power steering fluid flush and it quieted it down for 2 days, then it returned to its old ways.