T4 engine rattle....

....does anyone know if my T4's (5 cylinder/2.5lt) engine has hydraulic tappets
if so what can I add (if anything) to the engine oil to stop them rattling when I accelerate hard @ about 65-80mph
or do they need replacing??

Is it only when accelerating from 65mph or does it rattle initially from cold startup too?

how many miles has it done?

Mr Scoops wrote:

Is it only when accelerating from 65mph or does it rattle initially from cold startup too?

Only when I accelerate hard @ speed, and its done 139, 947 miles, should also mention its petrol, if that helps

could it be diesel knock rather than tappets? ......the faster you go the more oil pressure ,the more worn tappets become quiet .......


best talk to baja 69 he knows his onions when it comes to modren engines and disaels

nomates wrote:

could it be diesel knock rather than tappets? ......the faster you go the more oil pressure ,the more worn tappets become quiet .......


best talk to baja 69 he knows his onions when it comes to modren engines and disaels

on a petrol engine
the reason why I ask about if its tappets is becasuse I once had an opel kadett that did the same, and it turned out that was worn tappets, replaced with new, and the noise stopped.

when was the cambelt done last, could be the tensioner,

If it was tappets it would be constant and worse from cold

big dave wrote:

when was the cambelt done last, could be the tensioner,

If it was tappets it would be constant and worse from cold

no idea, I will pm Type25dan and ask if he knows

ah petrol ....... ......sorry

big dave wrote:

when was the cambelt done last, could be the tensioner,

If it was tappets it would be constant and worse from cold

Defo be bad from cold.

Remember the old Ford CVH's

i would assume a petrol vehicle of this age would have hydraulic lifters
without hearing the noise its impossible to tell
you can try an engine flush and new oil and filter
if it is the lifters then the only sure repair is to remove and replace
as you want to sell the van i wouldnt be too worried unless its so bad that it would put off a buyer.
the proper repair would be to replace the lifters and if necessary the camshaft as well. i would also recommend a new timing belt unless it is very recent

as the noise is when you accelerate hard i would also suspect its more likely to be pre ignition or pinking. this is usually down to incorrect fuel rating or faulty knock sensor (if fitted). bung some super unleaded in and see if it improves.

finally, has it always done this or is it a new fault?

big dave wrote:

when was the cambelt done last

just checked service record, and it was done on 26/11/2006, @117,000 miles
does it need doing again now then

edit - I will try the better fuel option 1st and see what happens
but to answer your other Q, its done it since I have owned it, not sure if b4 that

Mileage wise your cam belt is fine, not sure if they need to be done on a timescale too.

That should have been the second time the belt was changed.

.....it's getting right on my nerves, I have tried several tanks of premium fuel, as well as redex in the tank, but it still persists.

Is replacing the tappets the only remaining option, and if so is it an easy or pain in the arse job and what sort of timescale am I looking at

rubber belts do perish with time ......so all cam belts will have a milage / age replacement on them .....


however i cannot agree that this would cause your problem , small end bearings may cause this ,and so would 'off' timing ....pinking ect ....but i would also expect this noise to be present before 65-80 mph .....its 'under load' as you state its apparent when you acellerate hard

I need more 'clues' does it ever do it at any other time / speed? ,has the oil been changed recently ? is the clutch noisey....even slightly and gets better when pedal is depressed?

are you convinced the rattle is from engine?

nomates wrote:

I need more 'clues' does it ever do it at any other time / speed? ,has the oil been changed recently ? is the clutch noisey....even slightly and gets better when pedal is depressed?

are you convinced the rattle is from engine?

It doesn't rattle at any other time apart from when accelerating hard over 65mph, oil was changed earlier this year, and recently had a partial refill(2litres), no clutch as its an auto, the noise appears to be coming from the front around the engine, but difficult to tell without being closer to engine, specially at that speed I thought it may have been a heat shield, but have had that checked out and eliminated, also there are no other obvious loose items underneath.

any other idea's