Worrying knock and rattle

[GHill]

Hey All

Gave my plus 2 a start in the garage today and there is a knock and a rattle which I'm not impressed by.

Uploaded a quick video of it to my YouTube channel - would be great if those in the know could have a look and let me know thoughts.

Have taken it out most weekends and all was going well (after replacing the oil pump on Boxing Day) all was going fine until last week where it felt down on power the only noticeable thing I can find is my oil breather pipe has come off (sorry green peace) somewhere in the Sussex/Surrey countryside.

Any ideas greatly appreciated!

http://youtu.be/6d0novEhGAk


Cheers
Gareth

[Chancer]

Sounds like the chain tensioner has let go, the chain is whipping and the valve and ignition timing all over the place.

Hard to tell without revving it which I guess you dont want to do, its my first diagnostic and repair procedure

[Hawksfield]

Hi Gareth

I ve just been down this route and concur with chancer.

replaced the timing chain re adjusted two inlet tappet shims, one had closed up to three thou. fitted new tensioner sprocket and spring. a lot less noisy now.
If your chain is stretched or the sprockets worn the chain tends to snatch and cause the tensioner to clatter.
See vid below

https://youtu.be/ALTYSoq7I6c

[GHill]

Cheers Gents

If agree the engines sound similar - is it a case of simply a new tensioner plus a tune or is it engine out or ie is it something a basic mechanic can do or are we talking a specialist garage?

Cheers
Gareth

[Matt Elan]

Have you listened to it with stetherscope or screwdriver to your ear to see if it is coming from the timing case?

[PeterK]

Is it running on all 4 cylinders ?
I have had a similar 'death rattle' simply caused by a disconnected plug cap. Causes power loss as well
Peter

[GHill]

Hi Chaps

Havent been able to get into the garage this weekend (work work and more work).

Good ideas from both Pete and Matt, so plan of attack your suggesting is...

1. Take screwdriver to see if and place it on the timing chain case to see if I can hear lots of noise
2. Check the leads, I actually got a shock from one of the ignition lead boots the other day when I was checking (split ignition boot). I could replace the boots as a precaution, I was going to replace that and the dizzy cap anyway (changed points and condenser last year).

If I do hear a massive rattle from the timing chain case via option 1 then what is the procedure for changing the timing chain, is it to remove the timing chain case (not my preferred option)? or can you do it simply by taking the cam cover off (although I imagine it would be hard to then get the timing chain across the sprockets.

Thanks for the continued advice - the joy continues.

Regards
Gareth

[StressCraxx]

I think you have some great advice. Could I suggest a few other things to check with your screwdriver or stethoscope?

Check the fixing bolts for the alternator or generator.
Make sure the bolts holding the fan and pulley on the water pump are tight.

Just about everything on an Elan vibrates and works loose. I learned to mark the important bolts on the engine and suspension with a paint pen to quickly indicate the bolts have not backed off.

Regards,
Dan

[Matt Elan]

Hi Garath
If the rattle is coming from the timing case then it could be the chain but may be the tensioner, jackshft sproket loose, worn sprockets etc etc. You can whip of the cam cover and check the tension easily enough. IIRC the chain doesn't have a link so you need to get at the crank nose sproket and jackshft sproket to get it off so it's an 'open up the timing cover' scenario. As I've only built up a twink on the bench I don't know if it's a head off and / or engine out event; either way I'd be inclined to change the water pump while the cover is off. Hopefully it's a dodge ht lead...
Highs
Matt

[Matt Elan]

.....and of course if there is a plug or cylinder 'out' then that may well cause lots of jerkiness while running which could generate noise from the timing chain so check all the cylinders are firing properly before blaming the timing chain....

[GHill]

Hi Chaps

So I took the cam cover off and the tension was within the 0.5inch movement and when I lined up to TDC the timing marks looked fine (see photos below).

I'm waiting for my parts order to come in for gaskets and new HT leads and chain tensioner etc and then will do 1 by 1 will let you know how I get on.

TDC

Timing marks

Cheers
Gareth