Hey Guys,

I have a 2006 LR3 (96k miles) with the V8 4.4l engine in it that has been having a mysterious ticking noise. It first happened only after long road trips when you stopped at a stoplight or something with the vehicle in drive and your foot on the brake. But it has grown significantly worse in the past few weeks. It still only happens after the vehicle is warmed up but is more frequent while driving. It is an intermittent sound, very inconsistent. It does go away once your moving over 35mph or so, that or you just can't hear it.

I took it to a few Land Rover specialists when it was very early on, one suggested a BG EPR engine oil flush with MOA oil additive afterwards, did that, nothing. Another guy suggested it could be either the timing chain slapping the cover or a failed hydraulic lifter. It's tricky because everyone I talk to says that on these engines they haven't ever had to service the lifters. Anyone seen one of these problems before?

I tried tightening the manifold bolts on the driver side because I read somewhere that could be the problem. I could only get to 5 of them but that didn't affect the sounds one bit.

Would really appreciate any help you guys can offer in finding a diagnosis. Thanks!

 

can you use an automotive stethoscope to pinpoint the location?

 

I have noted a very quiet ticking sound that one can only hear at idle and when standing outside near the bonnet.

I found that with a fresh oil change, the sound would go away and then perhaps three or four thousand miles later I would hear the ticking again.

A fresh oil change and the noise disappears again. I regard it as my needs an oil change notice. Oil level on the dipstick remains as it should, just the noise reappears.

Oil is Castrol 5W-30 Syntec meeting ILSAC GF-4.

Rightly or wrongly, I have presumed the noise emanates from a lifter.

 

Steven - I did use an automotive stethoscope. It sounds like it is a tick from the front of the engine but internal. I recorded 2 videos and put them on youtube below one is through the stethoscope:


I also did another BG engine oil flush upon a mechanic telling me I didn't do it long enough. I also added Royal Purple 5w-30. Same sound.

bbyer - I've done 3 oil changes now in the past 3 weeks. Same sound.

Thanks for the help guys keep it coming.

 

...pretty sure mine does this too, but I've heard it more as a "thumping" sound because I've been sitting in the vehicle while I've heard it and have never tried opening the bonnet to get a closer listen.

 

houm-wa - If it is a thumping sound at all you might want to first check your belts to see what their condition is. I found another guy who had a noise that was a little more thumpy than mine but his turned out to be worn belts.

My noise you can't hear at all in the cabin with the windows up.

 

OHHHHH ****. I'm having flash back to DII ownership now.

Away with you and your cursed engine tick!

 

Same Here! FLASHBACK. Dreaded tick
Oh wait, my DII is still in the driveway lol

But the LR3 doesn't have similar liner issues... OR DOES IT????

 

Well the hardest part about this whole thing is i've taken it to 3 different specialists and they say they've never had to open up an LR3 V8 Jag engine for hydraulic lifters or timing chains.

That's why i'm looking to find someone with similar issue before I drop $3k on going in there to find whatever's wrong.

 

In my opinion I'd say it's chain slap from a worn out guide.