Club 80-90 Forums

Hi

Seeking advice please:
I have a 1990 T25 Villa3 petrol campervan - with 74,000, miles covered. Over the past week it has developed a 'knocking noise'
which seems to be coming from the bottom of the engine area (I don't think its the exhaust). The noise starts quite loud then gradually quietens to nothing as the engine warms up. The frequency of the knocking increases with the revs. Car still runs as good as ever - which is lovely!

Any ideas please - I am thinking cam-belt or worn tappets.

Can anyone recommend a garage in south London North Kent are to investigate this problem.

Would very much appreciate some advise please.

Ernest

If you put your vehicle / engine details in your signature you'll get better help.

For example, petrol T25's with original engine don't have a cam belt

Hydraulic tappets on a 1.9 watercooled petrol, they knock until the oil thins enough to fill the tappets .... when was the oil last changed ? What oil was used ? SHOULD be 15w/40 MINERAL oil but if a garage have had it they may have put semi-pathetic in.

Ian.

Hi

Thanks for responses. It is a water-cooled 1.9 original engine.....very gentle used almost all mileage (74K) touring at max of 60 m.p.h.

The car as been serviced by the same mechanic for the past 10 years - oil change every 3,000 mile or 12 months whatever comes first.

Hope this further information helps a bit re. possible problems.

Best Wishes

Ernest

Thanks..... and Ian Hulley has already given you the likely answer , though some replacement hydraulic tappets may be on the cards.

As to where, sorry I don't know your neck of the woods, hopefully someone else can

937carrera wrote: though some replacement hydraulic tappets may be on the cards

At 74,000 miles that would be very rare, especially given the service intervals. The fact they eventually pump up is encouraging, how often are you using the van ? Our's used to sulk if it was left for more than 2 weeks and eventually started draining down ... they don't get chance anymore and haven't rattled for years.

Ian

Ernest wrote: The car as been serviced by the same mechanic for the past 10 years - oil change every 3,000 mile or 12 months whatever comes first.

It could be worth asking him to check the pre-load on the tappets. If it's not right, they can de-pressurise much more quickly. At least that's what I found with a set of new tappets - 1.5 turns of pre-load had them rattling after as little as 30 minutes standing time, but with 2 turns they never seem to rattle. Perhaps yours need tweaking up a bit to take up a small amount of wear.

Thanks 937carrera - CJH - and Ian - for helpful responses.
The 74K is genuine Ian - in fact I am only the second owner - The first recorded every mile/journey that the van covered and details of all work/parts done on the van.

As I have similar nerdish tendencies as the first owner I have carried on this practice so we now have a van with a note-book (and box-file) detailing its complete 'history' since its original registration. I did buy a T5 (Lezan) from Bilbos 6 years ago but haven't yet been able to part with the T25 - I cover about 2K per year in it - one trip to Cornwall, a couple to Norfolk, and shorter local trips to give it a regular run.

Thanks again all

Best Wishes

Ernest

I'm new to all this wasserboxer stuff but our late 1985 1.9 DG camper can be quite clattery at start up if left for more than a couple of days. 5 miles later it has shut up, settled down and is nice and quiet.

Use it every day and it doesn't clatter. Obviously they are draining down.

The engine is original and has been 125k so I reckon a few allowances can be made...

Thanks Michael4

I think that your feedback reflects the normal on an older diesel engine - mine is petrol.

Good to read that you are making good use of your van.

Best Wishes
Ernest

Ernest wrote: I think that your feedback reflects the normal on an older diesel engine

1.9DG is petrol...

Michael4 wrote:I'm new to all this wasserboxer stuff but our late 1985 1.9 DG camper can be quite clattery at start up if left for more than a couple of days. 5 miles later it has shut up, settled down and is nice and quiet.

Use it every day and it doesn't clatter. Obviously they are draining down.

The engine is original and has been 125k so I reckon a few allowances can be made...

What oil are you using ?

Ian

Gone thicker, 20/50 mineral

Michael4 wrote:Gone thicker, 20/50 mineral

Go standard ... 15w/40 Mineral. Unless you have a noisy oil pressure buzzer indicating low pressure running 15/40.

Ian

I have nice new Kolbenshmidt tappetts, with two turns or 1.5 they drain down in less than half and hour whatever oil I have in. They do however pump up much quicker with 15/40 semi in. Runs like a dog until they pump up.