On starting up the 1300 Xflow for the first time the other day: It started on the button and ticks over and revs no problem. But before the engine is
fully warm, when you rev it up, as the revs drop there is a rattle (more a rattling sound than a knocking) coming from the back end of the engine sort
of riund the clutch starter area.
Once the engine is warm it's OK.
Any idea's! (I fear the worse!)
Which end's the timing chain? I've got a X-flow but I can't remember! (I suspect it's on the other end, up-front)
DJ
yep thats up the other end
Fair enough!
In that case, my first suspect would be tappets on cylinder No. 4.
DJ
I checked them - its more down the bottom end but just at the back. Could be the clutch - although its a new one I put in. Im hoping its not the big ends or something like that, but if it where the big ends would it be so specificly from that area. Any idea if the ends have gone wether it would quieten up when warm?
If it was my engine, I'd ask myself the following questions...:
Am I seeing any blue smoke when I blip the throttle?
Have I got good compression in all the cylinders?
Have I got good oil pressure?
Did I tighten up the nuts on the flywheel and clutch before I attached the gearbox? 
In my (limited) experience, worn big end bearings tend to give out a rumble on tick-over, which goes away when revs rise.
Anyone else got any ideas? I'm only pretending to know what I'm talking about!
DJ
[Edited on 7/1/04 by David Jenkins]
try dipping the clutch,my release bearing does that when she hasnt been used for a week or so
check that the oil pressure switch is.....
nah, thats too cruel steve 
Id go for a release bearing noise. Does it change if you depress the clutch?
atb
steve
I started it up again last night.
No blue smoke - the oil pressure was around 45 on tickover (smiths gauges)
The noise didnt totally disapear when I put the clutch in - its only on the overrun after reving it up.
Hopefully I will be able to get someone over to have a listen
where is the distributor on a xflow? could it be something worn or the advance / retard mechanism rattling?
atb
steve
quote:
Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
where is the distributor on a xflow? could it be something worn or the advance / retard mechanism rattling?
atb
steve
That sounds like it could be the bearing in the flywheel for the input shaft.
Have you tried jacking the rear wheels off the ground and running it in gear?
Does it still rattle as much?
Terry
quote:
Have you tried jacking the rear wheels off the ground and running it in gear?
No it wont, it could be the lay shaft bearings and in gear the shaft will have a load on it and the noise would stop.
Point taken, I was just thinking about the clutch bearing
If the noise is *just* on the overrun, I doubt that it is clutch related.
I'm concerned that it might be a piston or a little end complaining, especially as it improves with temperature. And a Xflow weakness
unfortunately, especailly if it has been 'driven', so to speak....
Timing chain / tensioner pad / snail cam & spring ?????
quote:
Originally posted by Stu16v
I'm concerned that it might be a piston or a little end complaining, especially as it improves with temperature. And a Xflow weakness unfortunately, especailly if it has been 'driven', so to speak....
It could be piston slap on No 4 cylinder, if it doesnt get any worse then dont worry too much. If oil pressure is ok and it doesnt smoke then just drive it. If it really bothers you then take the engine out and strip it. If it was mine then I would drive it untill or if it blows up. Crossflows are easy to come by and cheap.
Thanks for the replies - I think I'll just ignore it for the moment. My main concern is when I get the SVA done - don't know what they will say about it there. I know it doesn't come under anything in the SVA manual but I dont want to encourge them to look too closely at anything!