pinking noise when running.

[r055]

In the past month or so, my engine has developed a tinking noise that comes and goes...
Its a '99 S1 std VVC - around 60k miles

It can run like this for a few minutes and there doesnt seem to be a lack of power, then it goes away again. quite strange... is this just to be expected from a K of that age/ mileage?

\sounding like my first car - mk2 995cc Ford fiesta!

[Rich H]

Stick some super unleaded in it see if it stops.

Pinking is not good!

[hiscot]

pinking usually shows under load ie accerating climbing hills wrong gear ect get it checked out asap its realy bad news for a k series failing fuel pump can cause this as mixture goes weak check for air leaks also or ingition and timming issues

[craigs135s]

Surely it can't be the fuel pump that was changed not that long ago.

Cheers
C

[Rich H]

Blocked filter?

[Victor Meldrew]

Remember reading somewhere about the charcoal filter making a ticking noise...

awaiting the experts...

[Rich H]

It does make a ticking noise, but that is different to pinking... You need a jedi's opinion...

[roadboy]

I doubt its pinking.

Most likely the charcoal canister or a sticky tappet.

The other thing it could be is the VVC mechanism.

HTH

Dan@JPS

[r055]

Yeah dan, Sounds like tappets.
Its seems to be when I push it up at high revs it makes the noise for 10/15 seconds after that as I come off the throttle.
Is that not in line with the vvc mech?

Are any of those noises serious?

R

[Rich H]

Thicker oil? Due an oil change?

[roadboy]

Sounds like the VVC mech.

Some are noisy and cheap keep going forever. Some are noisy and self-destruct. Its a bit pot luck.

Dan@JPS

[robin]

Sounds like the VVC mech.

Some are noisy and cheap keep going forever. Some are noisy and self-destruct. Its a bit pot luck.

Dan@JPS

It might be worth changing the oil (make sure you use the right grade of oil) and adding a hydraulic tappet flush to the oil. While they aren't miracle cures, they can improve the tappet noise for a while - if it makes your engine noise go away for a while, you'll know it's a noisy tappet and can ignore.

Dan - do you know what part of the VVC mech gets noisy? is the rack chattering on the control shaft, or is it actually something in the gears? Presumably failed VVC mech results in valve-to-piston contact?

Cheers,
Robin

[r055]

It might be worth changing the oil (make sure you use the right grade of oil) and adding a hydraulic tappet flush to the oil. While they aren't miracle cures, they can improve the tappet noise for a while - if it makes your engine noise go away for a while, you'll know it's a noisy tappet and can ignore.

thanks Robin - i'll try this ASAP.

[roadboy]

[Dan - do you know what part of the VVC mech gets noisy? is the rack chattering on the control shaft, or is it actually something in the gears? Presumably failed VVC mech results in valve-to-piston contact?

Cheers,
Robin

Its usually within the mechanism itself. Quite often due to worn or broken sliders which advance the cam. Its not likely that mechanism failure will cause valve/piston contact. Usually the ECU will recognise incorrect cam advance and go into limp home mode.

Dan@JPS

[robin]

Its usually within the mechanism itself. Quite often due to worn or broken sliders which advance the cam. Its not likely that mechanism failure will cause valve/piston contact. Usually the ECU will recognise incorrect cam advance and go into limp home mode.

Dan@JPS

Thanks Dan!