I am now going to look for a replacement engine, and probably strip down the current one in the spring/summer (depending on what I end up with). I am going to try a few sources locally to see if I can find a decent running engine, rather than pot luck on the internet. BTW, I have family in East Sussex, but any trips back to the UK in the car usually involve wife, kids, dog, roofboot... I trust that the engine WAS run oil free (it comes from a friend of a friend), how that came about is unclear... given that it was a little old lady who owned the car it could be anything. Pretty academic really, since it will need a stripdown whatever. But with only 27000k on the clock the ancillaries are in excellent condition, including the rad etc.
- Thread starter Giles
- Start date
Having investigated every suggestion listed regarding knocks, tapping sounds and rattles, I'm leaning towards noisy timing chain/tensioner. She's the 1108cc BTW, and performance is unaffected. I'm happy at 50mph on motorways, and the little Renault treats the mountains with utter contempt. No pinking, just an annoying tapping in sync with engine revolutions. Very noticeable when cold, then becoming almost inaudible on the highway (partially masked by "road-noise")
Checked tappets. 6 were spot-on and two required opening slightly. No evidence of metal making contact inside the cover.
The engine is suspiciously clean for a 31 year-old car, but so is the upholstery, boot and parcel shelf.
She has a 1600 km trip soon, in pretty high ambient temperatures. I just hope we don't need our Platinum European assistance
N.
Checked tappets. 6 were spot-on and two required opening slightly. No evidence of metal making contact inside the cover.
The engine is suspiciously clean for a 31 year-old car, but so is the upholstery, boot and parcel shelf.
She has a 1600 km trip soon, in pretty high ambient temperatures. I just hope we don't need our Platinum European assistance
N.
mr-reno-139
AKA Paul Cunningham
- Messages
- 2,261
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- lancing west sussex england
Take plug leads off one at a time if noise dissappear or changes most likely piston slap as this is worse cold
Pretty sure one of the other 14 000 post should informed you of this already ☺
Pretty sure one of the other 14 000 post should informed you of this already ☺
UPDATE:-
Left the Algarve June 28th.
Recorded oddometer reading and filled tank to neck (additive in first)
Ambient temperature - high thirties.
First 45 litres of gas propelled us 900 kilometres.
29th June, ferry Santander 》Plymouth.
Home, West Wales, 3am July 1st.
Engine continues to tap-tap-tap merrily, no better, no worse.
M.o.T. last week. VOSA inspector showed up mid-test-asked permission to go down the pit-examined the R4 underside, and returned to ground level with a smile from ear-to-ear!
I've been offered a few suggestions regarding the tick-tick-noise, most of which are in line with what's appeared on the forum earlier
Left the Algarve June 28th.
Recorded oddometer reading and filled tank to neck (additive in first)
Ambient temperature - high thirties.
First 45 litres of gas propelled us 900 kilometres.
29th June, ferry Santander 》Plymouth.
Home, West Wales, 3am July 1st.
Engine continues to tap-tap-tap merrily, no better, no worse.
M.o.T. last week. VOSA inspector showed up mid-test-asked permission to go down the pit-examined the R4 underside, and returned to ground level with a smile from ear-to-ear!
I've been offered a few suggestions regarding the tick-tick-noise, most of which are in line with what's appeared on the forum earlier
A little update: I still haven't put the replacement engine back together and so i am still running around on the tapping one. After about 3000kms, there is no apparent difference. In fact, sometimes i think it might even be a little better (but it is warmer now, so the engine will heat up quicker).
I am still thinking that it might be piston slap, for various reasons mentioned earlier. Someone recently suggested timing chain/cam shaft issues... but as far as i can work out, any noises from that department wouldn't change whether the engine was under load or not (unless if the load on the cam drive of the fuel pump changes when there is a drop in fuel pressure in the carb when the accelerator is depressed? Wild stab in the dark!).
I'm getting over 40mpg on the 950cc engine and i'm not getting any water in the oil or using any oil, so i shall just carry on until i have time to swap the engine. But it doesn't half piss me off hearing that metallic tapping!
I am still thinking that it might be piston slap, for various reasons mentioned earlier. Someone recently suggested timing chain/cam shaft issues... but as far as i can work out, any noises from that department wouldn't change whether the engine was under load or not (unless if the load on the cam drive of the fuel pump changes when there is a drop in fuel pressure in the carb when the accelerator is depressed? Wild stab in the dark!).
I'm getting over 40mpg on the 950cc engine and i'm not getting any water in the oil or using any oil, so i shall just carry on until i have time to swap the engine. But it doesn't half piss me off hearing that metallic tapping!