Hey guys I have a 2000 Disco 2 no sai with a tap (big surprise) strange thing about it is it gets quite a bit louder with a heavier weight oil. She was pretty quiet with 10w30 but with 15w40 Rotella she sounds like she is coming apart. I've had the rig since January and have slowly fixed quite a few issues but this tapping has me confused. I've changed the oil a few times just to see what she likes and the 10w30 was the most quiet which seems backwards. At first I thought it was a slipped sleeve but now I'm not so sure. The tapping starts almost immediately with rotella. Long before operating temperature is reached. I've done a lot of searching and found nothing similar so any help would be appreciated. I don't have a lot of experience with old style pushrod engines. Thanks for any advice!

 

First what brand/type 10w30 R U using? IMO rover Engines do like #w40 better because of original old design (specially when in operating temp). unlike newer engines that R designed to run on #w30 or #w20 oils.
But does the sound go away as it gets hot with w40 oil? If so then may want to try thinner at cold 5w40 or 0w40 oils.
Most people here like rotella and they say their engines run better with it, u can try Rotella 5w40 for better cold oil start up until warm.
I myself used 10w40 & 0w40 Mobil1 ( that have 1100ppm zink &1000ppm phosphorus) and like the 0w40 better, and change it every 3000 miles (cause, costs nothing compare to aproximate 250 gallon fuel it burns in 3k miles) it flows excellent from start up, but that is "my experience as I said."
(I guess depends in what shape the engine is (worn or not)
Again, lot of people "suggest rotella"

 

Thanks for the reply. I haven't tried any thin winter grade oils. Not sure if it would make any difference since the tapping never softens or goes away. I'm not sure how worn the engine is since it's not the factory heart. The po couldn't remember how many miles it had on it, she just wanted it gone lol. If anyone else has any ideas I would appreciate any input. Id like to know what I am up against

 

top end or bottom end noise

 

If top end under a valve cover you may just need a rocker , mine was missing tip off a rocker, $12for new part noise gone

Could also be a bad y pipe gasket that you think is a tap

 

Are you sure there is enough oil in there?

 

It's more bottom than top but seems too slow to be bearing noise. Hard to find any definite location with a scope. I just finished replacing ypipe gaskets hoping it would solve some of the noise. It's a little quieter but still tapping away.

 

Yeah plenty of oil. I keep her at the full mark. She does use a little which from what I read is pretty normal.

 

thick oil is good/recommended for flat tappet engine, better lube less noise. depending on origin of noise, may not help at all

 

It just seemed strange that it would be louder with a more viscous oil. Typically it has been my experience that higher weight oils fill tolerances a little more and lessen noise. Leads me to possibly suspect a lifter but the sound doesn't go away and doesn't start right away. It's interesting. I do appear to have a valve seat leaking on cylinder 7. Have oil on the plug that wasn't there a couple of months ago. Could also be a bad ring I suppose. Looks like compression check and oil pressure are the next step. Hopefully I don't find a slipped sleeve along the way.