My wife's '03 Disco recently developed a tapping noise. To me, it almost sounds like an exhaust leak, but the metallic noise is what concerns me. It is loud upon cold starts, then quiets down a bit and then increases when you are driving and accelerate.

Any suggestions or ideas on how I can properly diagnose this? No oil lights have appeared or anything? I am going to flush the engine pretty soon here, change out plugs and wires, and whatever else I need to do, do might as well look around while I'm dirty.

Thanks in advance for any help

 

Go straight to your mechanic,have them do a mechanical oil pressure test both when cold and at operating temp, checking the pressure at all 4 spots.
03's are know for failing oil pumps and lots of blown engines, so no more driving till you have it check. Rover has come out with an upgraded pump that they say has corrected this problem.
Whatever you do, don't put this off, alot of people on the and some of the other Rover forums have lost their engines with no help from Rover if the truck is out of warranty.
Good luck,
Mike

 

You know, I listened to the car very carefully this morning and it sounds more like an exhaust leak.

 

I think Midas or some major exhaust shops will do a free inspection. You need to determine what it is. 03's are notorious for bad oil pumps, so I would find the cause soon.

 

I agree. Get the oil pump checked! I had a similar problem with my Series II. Its not the 4.6 but I think the exhaust system is the same. Turned out it was an exhaust leak but not at the manifold, but further down where it attaches to the exhaust tube. Changed the gasket and it took care of the problem. Hope this helps.