Hammering noise from engine!! Please help.

[ADAMD]

Hello all,

I currently have a very sad 1997 Diesel - I'm really hoping it's not terminal - we've had 12 good years together,

I was returning fro work, 8 miles from home when a tapping noise started in the engine bay.
I had a quick look, could see nothing obvious so continued home slowly.
Power seemed normal, tapping continued - increasing with revs.
Nearly home, my temperature monitoring kit started beeping , and very quickly engine appeared to get hot, and cut out.
I was unable to restart, engine wouldn't turn over - I thought I had seized it.

Recovered home, by recovery truck.

Next day I was able to start engine, but banging seems louder. (see video)

Starts easily, no extra smoke, seems fairly smooth but noise is unbearable - like a hammer being hit on crankcase.

It is very hard to work out where it is coming from, I have used a copper tube but it all sounds the same..

I have remover rocker cover hoping to find damage, but all looked fine.
I have spun water pump by hand, nothing unusual.
Doesn't sound like an exhaust noise.

Any suggestions greatly received - many thanks.

Adam

Youtube video - sound is more harsh in reality


https://youtu.be/GRumh-MPCck

[Bongolia]

Is oil level ok?
Does the oil pressure light illuminate when ignition switched on but not started?
Do the belts and pulleys look ok?
Can you post another vid this time blip the throttle a couple of times.

[teenmal]

I presume that you have inspected crank shaft pulley, if so .

Personally I would remove the rocker cover and have a good inspection of the rocker/valve gear / cam shaft .From the video it does sound like the top end or balance shaft .

PS these wltd engines have a bad habit of breaking Cam Shafts.

[ADAMD]

Thanks chaps, Crank shaft pulley is no.1 suspect at the moment, will check this evening.

Adam

[mikeonb4c]

PS these wltd engines have a bad habit of breaking Cam Shafts.

That's interesting and I wasn't aware of this as i don't recall more than one or two cropping up on here over the 11 years I've been on the forum (mind you my powers of recollection aren't good). Have you been seeing a lot of broken camshafts and is there anything us WLT engine owners can do to help avoid a problem?

[teenmal]

PS these wltd engines have a bad habit of breaking Cam Shafts.

That's interesting and I wasn't aware of this as i don't recall more than one or two cropping up on here over the 11 years I've been on the forum (mind you my powers of recollection aren't good). Have you been seeing a lot of broken camshafts and is there anything us WLT engine owners can do to help avoid a problem?

You need to get out of the Bubble and spread your wings.

[mikeonb4c]

PS these wltd engines have a bad habit of breaking Cam Shafts.

That's interesting and I wasn't aware of this as i don't recall more than one or two cropping up on here over the 11 years I've been on the forum (mind you my powers of recollection aren't good). Have you been seeing a lot of broken camshafts and is there anything us WLT engine owners can do to help avoid a problem?

You need to get out of the Bubble and spread your wings.

But seriously, can you quote all these instances of camshaft failure. Because if you can't, owners of diesel engined Bongos might consider the claim unjustified.

[g8dhe]

A search for "camshaft broken" http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/sear ... mit=Search

[ADAMD]

I have removed all accessory belts, started engine - still noisy hammering.

Crank pulley appears normal. I was unable to get my hands on it to see if it moved.

No damage to front cover visible.

Not sure where to go next.

I have checked camshaft, it is still in one piece.

Thanks for all ideas.

Crank pulley photo

https://goo.gl/photos/65SHy59DC7eUjwQv9

[Bongolia]

Is oil level ok?
Does the oil pressure light illuminate when ignition switched on but not started?
Can you post another vid this time blip the throttle a couple of times.

[ADAMD]

Hi Bongolia, oil light and level are normal.

Here is a video from when noise was first discovered:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9TFoxRnBIU

Thanks for your help,

Adam

[mikeonb4c]

A search for "camshaft broken" http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/sear ... mit=Search

Thanks Geoff. Interesting that the v6 crops up mostly.Where camshafts are breaking (on any engine type) i wonder what the contributory causes might be.

Turning back to the matter in hand, i wonder if a mechanics stethoscope could help in pinpointing location (available cheap off eBay - i keep one just in case!)

[Bongolia]

It sounds like an end to me.
The question is why did it fail.
You need to get the oil pressure checked first or better still get a mobile mex to do it as you shouldn't really be driving it until you are sure what the cause of the noise is.The engine oil is also a coolant and a failure of the pressure would mean the water cooling is under extra demand to cool the lump so leading to your overheating light possibly.

As to whether it is a right off really depends on your skill set.
You would need to drop the sump pan and remove one of the main crank journal caps to asses the extent of the damage before looking at the ends. Damage here would probably right the engine off as you would need to remove the engine to change them, easier to swop it with a good engine.
If they were OK then drop off the cap off the offending con rod and check for damage to the journal and bearing shell.
These shells are designed to wear before the crank in theory so you may be lucky and get away with just re shelling the ends.

You would still need to find the cause of the pressure failure though.
There is a pick up pipe with a strainer that sits in the oil reservoir sometime theses strainers can become blocked starving the pump or it could be that the pipe itself is damaged/leaking in some way. It could be as simple as that.

I am loath to say the following but if you are careful it will be OK however it is done at your own risk.
You need to be careful here as the fuel is under extreme pressure and it can penetrate the skin easily so you need to cover the nut you are loosening with some thing and wear goggles and thick gloves not cloth.Bit of overkill but...
You dont need to see it just hear it.

A quick way to isolate the cylinder that has the dodgy end is, with the engine off crack and re tighten the injector feed nuts, start the engine and with it running on tick over release half a turn the injector feed nuts one by one re-tightening each afterwards.

You will hear the note change as you crack the nut off on each of the cylinders but what you are looking for is a lessening of the thump/knock. That will be the rod affected.

[rita]

You could also throw into the mix "checking the valve timing"

Personally I think you need to get a qualified mechanic to have a look at your vehicle, guessing can cause further problems a unnecessary costs. As has been said it is not advisable to unnecessary run this engine.

Good Luck.

[ADAMD]

Thanks all.
Don't worry - I have not been driving it in this state!
I am away now until the Easter weekend, so will get to have a proper look the weekend after that.

Thanks again,

Adam