Who's clever with engines then?

[RMR]

Right then, My car (Ford Scorpio '96) has recently (last month) been making loud ticking tappet noises from my engine. I obviously thought it was oil but it has plenty. Someone told me that it could be an air pocket? and it could clear. after a week of driving it indeed the noise was quieter. But recently it has come back. Its only ticking and noisy on tick over and as soon as it's revved over 2000 its fine. It drives fine although there is a slight power loss. I would have a go at replacing the tappets but is that the problem? The engine is also not the easiest to work on as its the 2.9, 24v, cosworth quad cam version, which would be expensive if a garage would do it and at the moment all the spare money goes into the race car which it tows.

Many thanks. :confused:

[RMR]

I take that as a no then.

[woodyracing]

could it be the timing ??? or maybe the oil type ??? im just guessing.

[DAVID PATERSON]

Have you changed your oil recently? Some have detergent in them and some don't. You should never change from one to the other, stick with what you have. A friend of mine changed from one without to one with and all the gunge and sludge that had been accumulating in the motor for years, was suddenly washed out and it made the motor rattle something terrible.

Otherwise, tappets are a good place to start, they probably don't need replacing, get your feeler gauge out and see if they need adjusting.

[Airhead]

Dave sounds to know about engines. Check the tappets.

[Chris Y]

If you have a Haynes manual for the car, have a flick through that and see if it gives you any ideas. I have no idea what a 2.9 Scorpio engine is like, but I'd guess that the tappets were self-adjusting? Like hydraulic lifters or something? The idea of quad-cam engines scares me anyway - I have enough problems with one

Not trying to scare you, but the engine in my Cavalier recently developed a ticking sound. I thought it was tappets - it turned out to be a piston ring that exploded and was merrily grinding its way though the cylinder bore

[RMR]

Cheers Chris! I really hope it aint that! I dont have a haynes manual, but they are the self adjusting ones. Im sure they just need replacing, but before getting out my spanners I wanted to be sure. Its not the easiest engine to work on hence checking first. Thanks for the help. David, pretty much comfirmed what I thought, but the oil hasnt been changed for 7 months.

[JR Ewing]

I have heard that these Ford six cylinders are very susceptible to switched between different types of oils as someone mentioned above. Basically a full strip down and clean up job. Quite £££ labour but little on parts.....

[verglas]

I have never heard of a strip down and clean up job not requiring at least a couple of pistons "and while its appart Guv. may as well replace all the seals and the oil pump seems to be very worn so I may as well replace that, oh and those tappets (Sharp intake of breath through the teeth) better to be safe and replace the lot of em, and as for that cam ooooo I dunno its gonna cost ya guv!"

Maybe see you Saturday then Rich, if she makes it!!!