Rattly Ecotech

Firstly, a very happy new year to one and all. Now that I've got the
grovelling out of the way ...

My 2 litre Ecotech (Omega) engine has started making loud expensive
noises. Our local independent garage has diagnoses a hydraulic cam
follower - but not which one - and is telling me I should have them all
changed. Are they right (not about the source of the noise, obviously,
but about changing all 16 at once)?

If they are right, what would you think would be a reasonable price for
the job and is it something that a moderately skilled spanner mangler
could handle armed with a Haynes book of lies and copious amounts of coffee?

Any help gratefully received, as always

Regards

Steve G

 

Might be worth giving it an oil flush first - has it done lots of miles?
Probably want to do all 16 cos they cant tell which one is noisy so covering
themselves.
Has it snapped a valve spring?
Could be the oil pick up pipe in the sump is partially blocked causing oil
starvation at the top of the engine.

 

well if it is that, with a well placed metal rod or a stethoscope should be
able to track it closer.
but if it is one of them anyway, regardless of which, you will see them all
anyway when you have to gain access.

mike

 

Okay, so it's not the hydraulic tappets ... replaced all 16 and the
flippin' thing still sounds like a Chieftain tank.

My local dealership (who aren't doing the work BTW) have suggested that
it might be a broken valve spring, which sounds feasable (?).

Have any of you knowledgeable folks come across this before?

Regards

Steve G

 

I had the blocked oil pick up pipe problem last year; this did produce
a 'nice' rattle from the top end. However it was noticable that the oil
pressure warning light was taking a few seconds longer than normal to
go out on cold start, not sure if the OP has this symptom?

Now my 2 litre ecotec's at 151K it's as rattly as hell ( not sure
what's going on now, don't think it likes cold weather) certainly far
noisier than my previous cavalier 1.8 was at 200k or my 3 litre Carlton
at 195K :-((

 

Can't say I noticed the oil warning light taking longer to go out but I
have instructed my mechanic to take a look at the oilways up to and in
the head whilst it's off.

Regards

Steve G

 

My trusty mechanic chappie found the source of the rattle today - a
piece of one of the valve guides has broken off and has been rattling up
against the top of the valve!

Hey Ho. The heads off to have new guides fitted. Should be mobile again
by the middle of next week Not that I object to driving my 1970 Land
Rover to work every day but some of my fellow commuters must be getting
fed up with the smoke screen that I leave behind )

Regards

Steve G

 

Sorry, forgot to say thanks to those that offered suggestions both in
the NG and directly by email. Much appreciated, as always )

Regards

Steve G