Knocking sound when idling

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cmm303
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Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:51 pm

When idling in DRIVE there is a rattly knocking sound which seems to come from the passenger side of the engine hump. It is much less marked or not at all when in N or P. As soon as the engine revs are increased to move off it goes away. It is the sort of sound I would have associated with a broken exhaust bracket. When I turn the engine off the noise (I think it is the same problem) is much much louder as it sounds like the engine shudders to a halt.

It is then very very quiet :D :D :D :D

I've had the seat up and spent a good while trying to spot the sound with the engine running in D, hoping that the handbrake will not let me down and I'm left riding down the road driver less with nowhere to sit! Without joy because I now conclude that the noise only becomes noticeable when everything is really hot and I hate mixing maintenance with leisure. I cant find any exhaust, cowels, pipes etc loose on the passenger side of the engine.

The engine definitely vibrates more when idling. Could it be a tired engine mounting that becomes more flexible when hot? How would I tell?

Grateful for any advice.
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by the laird » Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:56 pm

Make sure the alternator and such like bolts are all tight that's a startvpoint
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by pc13cb92 » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:25 pm

Hi,
you describe exactly what my Bongo was like until recently. The knock was driving me mad, and I tried everything to find the cause. Like you I thought it was connected to the exhaust, but could not find anything.
So I put my Bongo in to a local dealer to have the cam belt changed, and asked them to have a look for the noise while they had it in. When I got it back - magic the knock had gone! The dealer said it was a pipe that went through a chassis opening that was vibrating, and they had put a rubber grommet in there to stop the noise and t worked. Unfortunately I dont know exactly which location this is in, but I was so happy to have the noise gone.
Perhaps another forum user could suggest which pipe this is?
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by Northern Bongolow » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:27 pm

check the gearbox to exhaust bracket, this comes loose.

then maybe check the oil level in the transfer box, it has its own supply that is separate from the box supply.
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... no=.html#6

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http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:47 pm

Thanks. Several things to look for.

Thinking I would have found a loose exhaust bracket but making no assumptions - will check again. Alternator seemed solid but again will check - nice and easy. Oil levels sound rather serious :shock:

Another reason why it was hard to determine with the seat up is that the noise of the engine itself almost drowns out any knock sounds. Will report back.
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by Northern Bongolow » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:02 pm

another harder one to spot is the crankshaft pulley failure.

the alternator and water pump are together on the pulley, these are bonded on, the aircon pulley usually remains intact on the outer forward end.
the failure is the hard to spot but is usually (heard) when the water pump/alternator pulley comes loose on the centre shaft and spins at a different rate to the rest of it.

11-371 here.
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by carlioll » Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:35 pm

Have you tried turning the steering a little when idling? Power steering chatter is not unheard of in Bongos.
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:20 pm

I have fixed it, temporarily. Many thanks to your help.

I explored many of the points identified and whilst poking around I had a good tug on a large metal pipe under the passenger seat that runs near to the chassis, into a rubber hose that comes up into the Turbo (I think that is what it is) so presume it to be the air inlet. The resulting noise was familiar! Down by the chassis, a bit awkward to see, there is a bracket welded to the pipe that screws to the chassis through a rubber bush which was worn. I have done a temporary fix using some rubber grommets whilst I obtain a proper replacement (not sure where from yet!). All the work was done from underneath. Thought I would add some pics, partly because I feel the need to try putting pics up here .... and they might even be helpful.

The offending worn mounting viewed from underneath the passenger footwell with the under engine cowelling dropped down.
Image

The mounting removed for inspection and showing it worn through
Image

The rubber bush I now need to replace
Image

Trying out an ordinary rubber grommet for size
Image

Bodge constructed from various grommets and washers to get as close as possible to the spacing of the original
Image

Fix in place with cowelling back
Image

I gave the exhaust clamp by the gearbox a little tighten as well.
All that was left was a test drive. All symptoms gone including the clatter when turning the engine off. =D> =D> =D>
thank you to everyone for your ideas and thoughts.
... now to check those air con pipes ....
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:55 am

Back again, sorry! Any suggestions for the proper name or description for the worn bush are welcome. It will help trying to find a correct replacement. Thanks.
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by mikeonb4c » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:17 pm

Really useful post cmm303 =D> =D> =D>
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:03 pm

Thanks

The rubber bush is listed on the Intercooler (diesel) diagram, part 13-363H

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

I hope I'm right with this :?
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by pc13cb92 » Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:40 pm

glad you got this sorted, this sounds like what the garage was trying to explain to me about mine. Going to get underneath tommorrow and check it out. Like you, I was convinced it was the exhaust!
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:35 am

pc13cb92 wrote:glad you got this sorted, this sounds like what the garage was trying to explain to me about mine. Going to get underneath tommorrow and check it out. Like you, I was convinced it was the exhaust!
It may be a bit difficult to identify in situ. Nothing that a 10mm (?) socket can't quickly reveal though! I'll post when I have the replacement bush from Ian to confirm that I have actually identified and ordered the right part.
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by salexander » Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:38 pm

well done to the OP for spotting this one. I had identical symptoms and doing a search for the problem was next on my list. Stuck my head under the van tonight and guess what - same problem :D Thanks for saving me loads of time =D> It only took five minutes to stick a couple of grommets in the bracket, problem solved, i really hate rattles and noises in my cars...
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Re: Knocking sound when idling

Post by cmm303 » Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:47 pm

cmm303 wrote: The rubber bush is listed on the Intercooler (diesel) diagram, part 13-363H
http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html
I hope I'm right with this :?
:D Replacement received from Ian today. It's correct. :D
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