Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

[Skipster1]

There has been a lot of discussion about this.....<br />The lifters and pushrods have all been replaced, in this 165hp InLine 6 (even tho the old ones were in perfect shape).<br />I adjusted each lifter to 3/4 of a turn past lash.<br />But I still get a "tapping" sound.. coming from the top of the engine. Oil is circulating well, engine runs strong and starts perfect.<br />The sound comes and goes. <br />Here is the link to the video. Turn your volume down and AT THE END OF THE VIDEO you'll here the noise. Click this link please: http://home.comcast.net/~skiph1/ <br />It seems to be one lifter or pushrod??????<br />Does the video tell anyone anything new??????

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Huh....My first thought of the noise? Rod bearing. Maybe not, but that's what pops in my head. I had a 470 once that i swore had a rod knock, ended up being the cover plate at the bottom of the flywheel...Have you tried the old 'hose stuck to the ear' trick to see if you can isolate the noise?

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

The old "hose stuck to the ear" gambit. I wish I had thought of that in the beginning.<br />I've been thinking it was a cover plate kinda noise to. I'll try the hose and see if I can isolate the accursed noise.<br />I just tried a compression test with my hunnerd year -old tester and the compression just blew the gauge away from the hole. Gonna see if NAPA has one that screws in... I need accuracy there.

 

[Trent]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Another poor mans way to see if its a rod knocking is to remove one sparkplug wire at a time. If the knock goes away (takes pressure off the rod) you know which cylinder is making the noise. Its really hard from your video to tell what it is.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Trent....I was going to use a stethescope.... does that get me out of the "poor man" category?<br />Since I have put in new pushrods and lifters, would using the spark plug method tell me if it were a bad valve?<br />Thanks.....

 

[Trent]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

At this stage....What whould I do? Id check the compression. Both wet and dry tests. The video sounds to me like valves or lifters. But im hard of hearing. Have you run it without the valve cover on? Watch all the valves moving while you listen? Are all the pushrods in their seats? <br />Spark plug method will not tell you if you had a bad valve. <br /><br />Where is Bonita Springs? North FL?<br /><br />Last question.... Why did we replace the lifters and pushrods to begin with?<br /><br />This is a very good engine. <br /><br />Thats Funny... Using the stethescope will not put you into the poor mans category! Its just a "good idea"! The stethescope i mean!

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Thanks Trent.... Bonita Springs is in SW Florida between Ft. Myers and Naples.... paradise on earth.<br />I replaced all pushrods and lifters because of that nagging noise. That effort paid off in much better oil flow but the noise is still there. It is on top of the engine and up front. Doesn't use oil.<br />I've run it with the valve cover on and it is the same.... comes and goes. Gun the engine and it starts up, back off and it will go away for a bit and then return.<br />I'm going to NAPA tomorrow and get a decent compression tester, but I don't think it's bad valves or a bad cam lobe....or anything else like that. The engine simply runs to good and smooth to be something like that.<br />My layman's thinking is that - considering how much the oil flow increased after replacing all those goodies - the system is still plugged up in spots (I'm told these engines are famous for that). So I think something is plugged and the lack of oil is causing the noise problem.?????<br />You're right.... these are good, durable engines and easy to work on.... I want this thing running right.<br />Thanks,<br />Skip

 

[captkid]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

"I replaced all pushrods and lifters because of that nagging noise."<br /><br />if you have replaced with all new lifters and rods, and the noise is still there... I would think it is NOT the lifters or rods... <br /><br />just a thought

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Skiph,<br /><br />Excellent idea with the mpeg. I like your rear hand rail (& ladder?).<br /><br />My speakers are old & my hearing ain't the best but it sounds 'tappetty' to me. It also sounds like its running on all six (doesn't sound like one bad lifter). Maybe worn or poorly lubed timing gears? An auto stethoscope is a great idea to try and isolate the area. Please keep us posted. Thanks.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[achris]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

When you had the rocker boats off, did you check the balls? And have you looked at the rocker faces? <br /><br />From the video it certainly sounds like a top-end noise.<br /><br />Chris..........

 

[johnkc]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

sounds like there is a piece of foreign material on top of one of the pistons.i looked thru some of your prev. posts and did not find when or how the noise started.is it possible that something went down the carb?i would remove the spark plugs and use a light to try to see the top of the pistons and look for any marks on top of the pistons.you will need to turn the crank to get the pistons to where you can get the best look at them .i found a light at ace hardware that has a very small bulb at the end of a flex shaft that works perfect for this.good luck

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Hey Johnkc, thanks... that's an interesting theory.<br />When I listened to each pushrod - using a piece of rubber hose to my ear - I could not hear anything that might be what you are talking about?? <br />I just got this boat in a trade in April and the owner said the noise had been going on for a while but tended to go away after running the engine a while.<br />Why did you come to the conclusion that it's a piece of material inside the cylinder???? <br />skiph

 

[Trent]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Im wondering if you have a floating valve? (Sticking valve or loose valve spring,or moving valve seat)But normally the engine would run rough. (Please take no offense) Have you ever run a 6 cyl like this? Remove the sparkplug wires one at a time at a high ldle and see if the it gets smoother or no change at all.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Hey Trent... no offense taken.<br />I've had, and maintained 6 cylinder auto engines (Datsun 280ZX Turbo and Mercedes) but never had to mess with the valves, lifters, etc.<br />This engine runs very smooth, so I don't think it is a valve problem. And the pushrods all sound good, plenty of oil ciruclating around them, and nothing is "wobbly" or out of line.<br />When I throttle up or down the change in RPMs is instantaneous and smooth, without so much as a slight hiccup.<br />This odd "tapping" sound comes and goes and seems in sync with the engine.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

I received an email - would rather folks reply on this website - saying this might be a sticking valve. Here's what he wrote:<br />"the noise seems to me a stuck/bent valve.<br />you should see a marked piston, (with the light). or, if the rocker cover is off. rotate the crank by hand, the valve will probably stick, the rocker and pushrod will become "slack". when the piston bumps the valve, the rocker and pushrod will "snap" pack into place! seen this before too."<br /><br />If there was a sticking valve, wouldn't the engine run rough???? <br />I just put a quart of Marvel Myster Oil in and ran the engine for a bit..... the oil pressure is up to 40ps (as opp[osed to 35) and the temperature now is at 140 as opposed to 155 before.<br />This tends to confirm my suspicion that the engine oil circulation has been hampered by clogged passages and now is opening thus the better numbers. Does this make sense?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Originally posted by Skiph:<br /> If there was a sticking valve, wouldn't the engine run rough???? <br />I just put a quart of Marvel Myster Oil in and ran the engine for a bit..... the oil pressure is up to 40ps (as opp[osed to 35) and the temperature now is at 140 as opposed to 155 before.<br />This tends to confirm my suspicion that the engine oil circulation has been hampered by clogged passages and now is opening thus the better numbers. Does this make sense?

The $64,000 question is, is it quieter?<br /><br />A bent or sticking valve or will show up on a compression test and yes, it will run rough on that cylinder.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Aye... that's the rub. This engine is running smooth at all RPMs..... no hesitation on acceleration and no sputtering when throttling down. None.<br />So I am now doubting it is valve related.<br />Overall the engine is running a tad quieter but the noise is still there.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Sounds like you're on the right track, maybe another dose of marvel. Don't forget the oil filter.<br /><br />I had an old car come into my workshop once that has sludge built up inside the rocker cover 1/2 inch thick. The customer wanted a cheap fix (not a pull down) for a clacky noise - it was tappetty. I flush 3 times before it began to quieten, it came out 'crude oil' black every time. 3 doses of flush, 4 oil filters and 20 litres of oil - not so cheap.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Ya it WAS cheap.... by opening up the oil circulation you saved that engine from certain and premature ruin.<br />Anyway you showed me what to look for after a bit of running the engine. When I change the oil - and the filter - the oil quality and color will tell me how bad THAT problem really was.<br />Now... let's hope the noise goes away.... I am as sick talking about as all of you are reading about it.

 

[Trent]

Re: Here's a video w/sound of the tapping noise I have been hearing

Ok...If your going this route try this if you can. I do this all the time. After changing the oil. Remove the oil filter and cut open the filter. (Know anyone with a big tubing cutter?) Or saw it open with a hack saw. Remove the paper mesh and lay it out. You got metal, lots of sludge? Its just one way of trying to find the noise. Another way is oil analizing. But you have to send the sample to a lab.