Unique Tapping 2003 Disco (MUCH info already retrieved)

i drive an 03 SE with 130k

hello! i'm sure millions of these threads have gone through, but i'm going to try just like the others. I've already done the following:


replaced lifters
new oil pump (pressures are fine already have done four readings)
no coolant in engine
no drips off the bottom of the car
no check engine
no noticeable fluid drain from reservoirs except ACE (to hell with it at this point)
no hiss when removing oil cap like some reported


when i start the car cold sure there's no tap. but it gets interesting after:
once it's heated up, it will tap sometimes, then not others.

-sometimes when i put it from park into reverse or drive, it will go from not tapping to tapping
-if it's in drive sometimes it won't be tapping, but the second i give it the gas it'll start tapping
-sometimes it just wont tap at all
-sometimes it'll tap at half the normal tapping speed, as if sometimes it misses whatever it's hitting
-sometimes it just taps consistently

as i've ruled out a lot of tests that usually can corner the problem, I'm still baffled. maybe check out rocker arms? or possible that it's an exhaust leak? sometimes when I start it cold it sounds a little metallic, maybe it's that. I still have yet to install a 180 temp tstat so maybe I should try that too.

First of all. you never replace the lifters without replacing the cam, it will fail and then you'll have to replace them both because of the soft cam lobes.
You do need some help, if interested, PM me your number and I'll be glad to walk you thru how to find/fix your noise

Hi and thank you for the quick reply. My current phone is unable to take calls and I'm getting a replacement at the end of the month. I appreciate the personal nature of that though. Is there any way we could talk here for now?

Thanks

PS I got a good look at the cam lobe when the Rover mechanic had engine open. He said cam looked fine. Also cam was evidently a considerable
more amount of cash. maybe he was wrong to make that assumption though

Some people never learn. Was he a Rover mechanic , did you read up on Rover cams and lifters, how to inspect/adjust and or replacement? If he was a heavy line mechanic, he had only one test to perform to find and fix your noise, In the mean time, quit driving it or it will cost you an engine block.

Disco Mike said:

Some people never learn. Was he a over mechanic , did you read up on Rover cams and lifters, how to inspect/adjust and or replacement? If he was a heavy line mechanic, he had only one test to perform to find and fix your noise, In the mean time, quit driving it or it will cost you an engine block.

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our local LR repair center / dealer closed down a couple of years ago. so i have a foreign car specialist that i take the vehicle to. he worked in the shop before its doors closed so i trust him.

i have a decent level of mechanical knowledge but i trust his judgement over my own.

is there anything you can suggest to try in my driveway? i've got nothing but time to sort the issue out, but if i can't do anything, i will probably take it back to him soon.

ps i don't think it's misfiring, the exhaust is pretty consistent. i might try seafoam in induction to look for an exhaust leak but otherwise i'm not sure what else i can try myself.

Unless you have deep pockets, I would get a second option before he does anything else.
As for what is wrong with your engine, simple, you have a dropped sleeve which any qualified mechanic would have told you. Now what is going to be interesting is how he is going to fix it.
You might still want to send me your number, my near 30 years as a service manager can save you a bundle.

Disco Mike said:

Unless you have deep pockets, I would get a second option before he does anything else.
As for what is wrong with your engine, simple, you have a dropped sleeve which any qualified mechanic would have told you. Now what is going to be interesting is how he is going to fix it.
You might still want to send me your number, my near 30 years as a service manager can save you a bundle.

Click to expand...

thanks for the quick response mike.

i will wait to get the car back from him. unfortunately as stated before I don't have a phone right now. i could always skype or use some other form of communication but short of borrowing a phone (which i don't feel inclined to do) i can't call as of yet.

are you going to suggest pinning the liners? or installing top hat liners?

Without a good mechanics feed back, I won't say but we need to talk first.
Also, not sure what year and mileage is own this truck, but top hats will burry you cause the vehicle is not worth that sort of expense on top of what this mechanic is hitting you for