Hi:

I just bought a 2004 Disco, SE, with 62000 miles. The 60k service has not been done, and it is my plan to take care of this soon. I do have the option of returning this car, so I am not investing into it unless the noise issue has been resolved.

Its been two weeks, and the engine has a noise that was assured by the seller to be normal rover noise. However, after doing an oil change/flush and then talking to a mechanic (who may not be that familiar with discos), it appears to be a serious issue - possibly rod knock, or bent push rod (words of the mechanic).

Let me describe the noise in detail first:

i) It never comes up on cold start.

ii) It comes on only once the the engine gets hot (15-20 minutes idle, or driving it around for a 50-10 minutes).

iii) It is definitely coming from the bottom of the engine. I crawled underneath, and it seems to be coming between the catalytic converters, just around the oil pan area.

iv) It sound like ticking noise. Louder than a tick, more like a click. A noise close to this would be the noise you get when you start your car on a dead battery - that clicking noise. The mechanic has rule out exhaust leaks.


v) The frequency of the click increases with RPM to say 1500-2000, and then after that goes away. It could be getting drowned out as well, I am not sure. But if I lower my windows while driving at high speed, I cannot hear it. However, if I stop at a light, I can hear it.

I have new oil, and done an ATF flush. The noise persists.

vi) I have not checked oil pressure yet, or dropped the oil pan. Actually, I don't know what dropping the pan means.

vii) We really like the car, but I am having the seller's mechanic take a closer look at the noise, and then take it from there.


Any thoughts of what this noise could be? Could these be the symptoms of plugged oil tube, or oil pump? Its a 2004 disco which apparently don't have these problems (compared to 2003).


Please help!

 

Man, if it is rod knock return the truck.
Rod knock will not happen when cold because the oil is thick and takes up the extra space in the rod bearings.
As the oil gets hot and thins it allows the rod cap to "knock".
"Dropping the pan" means removing the oil pan and inspecting the rod caps and everything else in the lower part of the engine.
That will be the only way to know for a fact that it is or is not rod knock.
On a side note when the catalitic convertors go bad they will rattle and can be mistaken for rod knock or lifter noise.
It might be easier for your mechanic to remove the y-pipe and then run the engine to check and see if the noise is still there.

 

I do have the engine oil that that was in when I bought it. Perhaps I can send that oil for analysis, and see what I get?

If I do have rod knock, I'll probably return the truck, as you said. However, I am just curious - any idea on how much an indy shop would charge to fix it?

 

Yes you could get a SOS (service oil sample) anallized, but it might take to long and you wont beable to return the truck.
But that would tell you for sure what was going on.
Although if the sample is not taken corretly it will give a false reading.
I do not know how much it might cost for new bearings.

 

where are you located?
you need someone to take a look at it for you. If not on here try discoweb.org and find someone close. The motor is based on the buick 60s the same as my defender. I could help you if you are near.

 

Am located in MA, just north of Boston. I'll try searching on discoweb to see if there is someone closeby, just to get an independent opinion.

 

I am in missouri. There are several knowledgable people on that site near you I believe. Just register and introduce yourself and good luck. I hope you like your new disco as well as I like my 03 that I bought on tuesday.

You will also find some folks that can take that motor apart and put it back together in their sleep on d-90.com.

I apologize for recommending other sites, but information from these sites and this one have been very helpful to me. Its about sharing information.

 

discodefender,

What part of Missouri are you in? I am having a slight tick or tap that I haven't quite figured out. I am in St. Louis. If you are close by would you mind taking a listen?

 

Вы должны сделать лучше, чем что-чау

 

Rod knock does NOT go away with higher RPMs, it would get faster and louder. You can hear a rod knock at 70 inside the car with windows up and no radio. It will not sound with zero throttle, but would get louder the more load you put on it