Big Ends

[jimpearceuk]

Update from my mechanic.

The end of one of the glow plugs has broken off and fallen in the engine. He changed the plugs and now she starts and run lovely - but still the clicking
He thinks either the piston is slapping or the part damaged the tappet

Anyone head of this happening?

Thanks Jim

[scanner]

(mainly for cars like Alfas)

Huh?

[hijimhere]

In theory you can find something gets down the intake manifold passed the inlet valve and into a cylinder -- I had it happen only once, but that was many moons ago. The result was that the offending piece got embedded into the cylinder head with a corresponding dint in the piston.

Did the mechanic show you the broken plug? I ended up stripping down the head and remove the offending (causing a constant clicking) particle. The outcome was good with no adverse noises and the engine running well.

[jimpearceuk]

not seen the broken plug yet - he is my best mate so I trust him not to do unnecessary work but he is not a Bongo specialist.

I will ask to see it

Thanks Jim

[Simon Jones]

(mainly for cars like Alfas)

Huh?

Quick Google brings lots of threads from various owner clubs including Alfa Romeo who seem to experience a lot of issues even with new engines. Of course, it's pretty unusual for any Fiat based engine to be working at all, so at least the slapping sound tells the driver it's still going .

[francophile1947]

Of course, it's pretty unusual for any Fiat based engine to be working at all, so at least the slapping sound tells the driver it's still going .

Cheeky bugger Loads of manufacturers use Fiat diesel engines nowadays, especially the little 1.3L

[Simon Jones]

Fiat = Fix It Again Tony . I've owned a Fiat (albeit one made in 1979) so I have some experience of Italian mechanical bits. In fairness, the engine was ok, but the rest of the car fell apart around it.

Their diesel engine are fitted in lots of motorhomes now, but they've had loads of problems with water ingress causing electrical problems and injectors rusting, and they also suffer from shuddering when reversing up a slight incline.

[scanner]

(mainly for cars like Alfas)

Huh?

Quick Google brings lots of threads from various owner clubs including Alfa Romeo who seem to experience a lot of issues even with new engines. Of course, it's pretty unusual for any Fiat based engine to be working at all, so at least the slapping sound tells the driver it's still going .

No it doesn't Google brings up just one reference to Alfa, the second reference is to BMW - so what.

Ever looked up VW faults?

Just like John I've had lots of Fiats Alfas and Lancias and never had to touch let alone fix an engine yet and the rust problem was cured well before 1990 with fully galvanised bodies, not just up to waist height as on VWs.

Big ends are no more of a problem on any Alfa than on ANY other car - so why pick on them. The last thing I had to change big ends on was a Bedford Dormobile in the 1970's.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Oh, boy...don't get me started on German Cars....blinkin' legend in their own lunchtime...like many companies, they produce a good product for a year or two, plaster their name everywhere, then slack off to a mundane product that's about as useful as used chewing gum.....stuff that's found everywhere and needs clearing up.....
Personal opinion?....I like Italian cars...they just "feel" right....Italian engineering has always been good, as with British Engineering....If you want something engineered or inventing....BRITISH...if you want a reasonable copy of someone else's idea....GERMAN . Italians are darned good innovators....not German...Car choice...American or Japanese...Bike choice....American or Italian
Motorhome Choice: Gold (Canadian)
Car : 'Tang ('early '70s)
Bike : Harley (too old and decrepit to own one)
Cheers
Helen

[Simon Jones]

If any owners of Italian manufactured vehicles that just happened to come up as the highest ranked result out of 44,500,000 matches when searching on Google for ‘big end knock’ feel their marque has been unfairly singled out, then please accept my most sincere apologies. Regrettably, I did not have time to review the other 44,499,999 results to have been able to give a more balanced view on the subject .

[scanner]

Bike : Harley (too old and decrepit to own one)

"too old and decrepit", is a perfect description of HD's engineering - there is only one V twin worth having Helen and you know what it is

It's the one that had done away with valve springs before the other one had given up on side valves.

And Simon - as I said, the second result was for BMW, didn't you look that far down?
I just didn't see that there was ANY need to suggest it was a particular problem with ANY specific marque, because it isn't that specific a problem and until you posted that I hadn't even heard that it might be.
In fact I can't remember the last time I heard an engine that was noisy in that way - it used to be quite common.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Scanner...Oh, yes...anything Ducati...but a fat old biddy doesn't really look good on a Duke...but not out of place on a Harley I have had a couple of Moto Guzzis though!
If I had a spot of spare cash, and was a whole lot smaller as was in yesteryear....it would be more American iron....a Y2K...jet bike...the noise sells it!
Cheers
Helen

[winchman]

I have had two fiats
One car one motor home
Both very poor
Back to the subject I assume he has tried the old magnet trick?