Ticking noise from 2.5TD engine

[jockodipunto]

Hi all,

My wife and I recently purchased an R reg 2.5 turbo diesel Bongo which we love. As far as we can tell all of the recommended mods have been added (coolant level warning etc) and it drives really well, underneath sealed amongst other things.

My only slight worry is that there appears to be a 'ticking' noise coming from the N/S engine area which only appears when the engine is under load and the frequency of the tick rises and falls in line with engine revs and not road speed.

Having searched through the forums and read through some suggestions, has anyone actually experienced this type of noise before and indeed what, if any, was the fix? I am very new to this engine and am not that confident yet at where I might find things like exhaust baffles and vacuum solenoids so things would need to be explained in a bit of detail.

Any help or pointers would be gratefully received.

All the best

Mark

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome Mark. Where are you based, in case there's a Bongo specialist nearby who might check it out. Is it a 4wd Bongo as that might introduce extra possibilities. Did it make this noise when you test drove prior to buying as the previous owner might be able to comment if so. Other than that, things like alternator / belt etc are on the n/s. Have you l lifted engine covers and had a good look around?

[teenmal]

Check the exhaust manifold they have a habit of distorting and breaking a stud, as has been said you need to get your head into the engine compartment (not literally) and have a good look /listen.

[Northern Bongolow]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41210&hilit=No1+manifold+stud

[jockodipunto]

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. So I finally managed to get my head into the engine bay and discovered a couple of other things that may well take priority.

There appears to be a slight oil leak (confirmed by checking the dipstick, level had dropped since last I checked) and also A/C belt seems to be nowhere in site. So off to buy some degreaser and grab a new belt and tensioner for the A/C and then on to the knocking noise. I hear the rocker cover gasket is a prime candidate for leaking, is swapping one of these out a DIY job for the average home mechanic?

Once these are sorted I will continue the investigation into the ticking.

Cheers again

Mark

[mikeonb4c]

My guess would be rocker cover gasket (and are there rubber grommets involved also?) should be easy diy except for the tedious work removing engine cover panel and gubbins above. Returning to the tick, does it only happen when the car is on the move (and in gear)

[teenmal]

My guess would be rocker cover gasket (and are there rubber grommets involved also?) should be easy diy except for the tedious work removing engine cover panel and gubbins above. Returning to the tick, does it only happen when the car is on the move (and in gear)

My only slight worry is that there appears to be a 'ticking' noise coming from the N/S engine area which only appears when the engine is under load and the frequency of the tick rises and falls in line with engine revs and not road speed.

[mikeonb4c]

My guess would be rocker cover gasket (and are there rubber grommets involved also?) should be easy diy except for the tedious work removing engine cover panel and gubbins above. Returning to the tick, does it only happen when the car is on the move (and in gear)

My only slight worry is that there appears to be a 'ticking' noise coming from the N/S engine area which only appears when the engine is under load and the frequency of the tick rises and falls in line with engine revs and not road speed.

Without wishing to sound pedantic, that doesn't actually tell me categorically whether the ticking only happens when the car is on the move. It could for example be put under load by putting the gearbox in D and giving it a bit of throttle while stationary.. And the reason i asked was because if the OP is lifting the covers to look for the cause, they're unlikely to be on the move. And there's an outside chance it might help the diagnosis to conduct that particular test.

[teenmal]

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. So I finally managed to get my head into the engine bay and discovered a couple of other things that may well take priority.

There appears to be a slight oil leak (confirmed by checking the dipstick, level had dropped since last I checked) and also A/C belt seems to be nowhere in site. So off to buy some degreaser and grab a new belt and tensioner for the A/C and then on to the knocking noise. I hear the rocker cover gasket is a prime candidate for leaking, is swapping one of these out a DIY job for the average home mechanic?

Once these are sorted I will continue the investigation into the ticking.

Cheers again

Mark

Before you fit the belt it is advisable to Make Sure that the AC pump is not Seized .

[teenmal]

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses. So I finally managed to get my head into the engine bay and discovered a couple of other things that may well take priority.

There appears to be a slight oil leak (confirmed by checking the dipstick, level had dropped since last I checked) and also A/C belt seems to be nowhere in site. So off to buy some degreaser and grab a new belt and tensioner for the A/C and then on to the knocking noise. I hear the rocker cover gasket is a prime candidate for leaking, is swapping one of these out a DIY job for the average home mechanic?

Once these are sorted I will continue the investigation into the ticking.

Cheers again

Mark

Before you fit the belt it is advisable to Make Sure that the AC pump is not Seized .


PS MAKE SURE THAT THE OLD BELT HAS NOT GOT WRAPED ARROUND THE BOTTOM PULLEY AND CHECK THE OTHER BELTS FOR SEPERATION.

PS M

[jockodipunto]

Hi all,

Quick update - A/C belt back on after checking pump was not seized (good call on that one), oil leak appears to be rocker cover so have replaced gasket and also now know how to remove the engine bridge bit.

So this weekend I am back onto the ticking. I intend to run the engine in neutral with the passenger seat up and give it some beans to hear whether ticking occurs as revs increase with car not moving to remove drive train from the equation. I will than pop everything back in a do similar with car in gear.

Must say that compared with all other forums I am party to, the responses and feedback on this one is amazing.

Great community

Cheers

Mark

[jockodipunto]

Hello all,

The ticking noise turned out to be rocker clearances which have been adjusted and all seems well.

On a side note, I appear to be missing a rocker cover bolt (likely I got the torque wrong when replacing the rocker cover), is it possible to buy the odd one or two does anyone know? I can see it is possible to get a full set for approx £80 but that seems a little steep just for a single bolt

Cheers

Mark

[jockodipunto]

Just an additional update to this - as part of cam seal change, the camshaft and rockers were replaced due to excessive wear.

The van is even quieter now

[mikeonb4c]

Just an additional update to this - as part of cam seal change, the camshaft and rockers were replaced due to excessive wear.

The van is even quieter now

Yes a happy spin-off of having a new head fitted a few years back was that i ended up with a quieter engine due i guess to properly adjusted rocker gear.