• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

very scary engine noise

Share this page

JPSmit

JPSmit

Moderator
Staff member
Silver
Country flag
Offline
So, I went out to a cruise night about 10 minutes drive away. Got home, stopped in the driveway, called to take a friend around the block. Maybe 4 minutes later started the car and it sounds nothing like it did 4 minutes earlier. A clattering sound, like a sewing machine sounded like 3 cylinders at best, and would not run on its own, took my foot off the gas and it died instantly. Tried it again, same sound, tried it again - didn't start though I may have flooded it (smelled like gas) and I didn't want to push too hard. No fluids under the car, all wires seem tight.

thoughts? (please!)
 
sewing machine...pull the valve cover and check the push rods. make sure one didn't jump off on you. No other symptoms? was it performing normally before this happened?

m
 
was perfectly normal before - nothing else that way. the only other symptoms - 1. hard to start and won't stay running. 2. Definitely not running on all cylinders
 
Might have jumped time when you shut it off. Seen it before, although; I'm not 100% sure this is your problem. Strange noise and clacking? First thing I'd do is check the oil just to be safe.
 
Maybe just fouled a plug. Pull 'em and look?
 
jvandyke said:
Maybe just fouled a plug. Pull 'em and look?
Click to expand...
smaceng said:
Check the fuel level in the carb bowls.
Sounds like a fuel issue.
Scott in CA
good luck!
Click to expand...

Possibly but thatwouldn't account for the noise.
 
I agree with valve-train inspection, outside chance vacum leak (no noise)
pushrods, rocker arm, timing gear,lifters etc..
 
that's what I was afraid of - no work on it today - church - sister's graduation (Phd) party and daughter back to camp. But, keep the suggestions coming and I'll keep you posted.
 
A mechanic's stethoscope might help to isolate the source
of the noise.
Lets hope it is something simple.
 
I hate to even suggest it for fear of jinxing my own 1500...

Thrust washer?

(Although from what I've read about when they jump ship, the most clatter is when the clutch is in, and I haven't haven't read anything about it killing the engine dead; so it probably isn't the case)
 
I had a similar experience - ran just fine the day before, but the next day when a friend stopped to check it out I could not get it to run right (it would start, but missed real bad). It turned out to be a stuck valve...

I hope you don't have the same problem...
cd
 
Gundy said:
A mechanic's stethoscope might help to isolate the source
of the noise.
Lets hope it is something simple.
Click to expand...

Long screwdriver or metal rod also.
 
texas_bugeye said:
Check the advance plate in the dizzy.
Click to expand...

do I have one with an electronic ignition?
 
Other ugly suggestion, broke a keeper and dropped a valve. that would account for the noise, poor running and stalling. I'd rather hope a simpler fix of a broken push-rod or a broken rocker. Bob
 
kellysguy said:
Where y'at on this JP?
Click to expand...

I figured we need some time apart. hopefully will get a look tomorrow.
 
My 2 cents. First pull the plugs, inspect, then the valve cover, inspect the pushrods and rocker arms. check the tops of the valves to see if a spring has popped up(keeper or stem failure).. or if one valve is lower than the others with rocker arm pressure removed from it(crank the engine with a wrench)
 
Back
Top