Clack-clacking engine noise!

[dave100]

Need some advice guys.

Noticed today while driving that every time i stopped the car, the engine died and it would not tick over.
I changed the plugs when i got home from work in an attempt to cure this but once i restarted the engine it made a crazy clacking noise as it was being revved and definitely is not firing on all 6 cylinders. It did however tick over again
I replaced plugs with Denso PK22PR8 on the front and K22TMR11 at the rear.
Im guessing that the clacking is a tappet about to self destruct and the firing is maybe due to a duff plug or a lead not being connected properly.
Any other theories?

[Muad_dib77]

I know this is difficult to figure - but does the sound come from the top or the bottom of the engine?
Also how's your oil level been lately?

[mcgon1979]

Im guessing the tappet noise (that seems to affect alot of people) is loud and noticable. I think CJ said in an earlier post "you would know if your tappets are bad"... my car makes a quiet ticking only on idle. just on idle. Think it might be just normal noise though or injectors ticking. It's not loud or like a sewing machine as I understand bad tappets sound like?

dave, Im not sure what the "crazy clacking sound when being revved" is...

[CJ]

dave, Im not sure what the "crazy clacking sound when being revved" is...

Well its definetely not tappets if its making a 'clacking' sound. Get a mate to check under the car (i,e. exhaust) and around the engine while you gently rev it. Sounds like a potential engine out job....

CJ

[dave100]

the tappets were already a bit noisy but nothing like this noise! oil level had been low when i checked it, which is very unusual for my car, but im baffled that this has happened after a simple spark plug change. It sounds like its coming from the top of the engine but i will confirm after work.
If its engine out CJ, i will prob scrap the car as im moving to scotland next month and don't have the cash for engine repairs

[steelroe]

By any chance did you put the plug leads back on the wrong way round. She may be firing out of sequence.

[dave100]

That would be great if it were true rory but i fitted each plug at the same time to avoid any confusion. It is however definitely not firing right - it actually sounds like a subaru at the moment!

[mcgon1979]

That would be great if it were true rory but i fitted each plug at the same time to avoid any confusion. It is however definitely not firing right - it actually sounds like a subaru at the moment!

Can someone comfirm the plug part numbers... Sounds suspiciously like something is wrong here. Any chance they could be the wrong plugs?

[dave100]

Am just off the phone with rory (steelroe). He thinks its definitely a sparking issue. He says that the rough running could be a spark plug lead not seated correctly and that the clacking noise could actually be a spark arcing.
I put the double tipped plugs at the front and the single tipped at the rear. Looks like its off with the inlet manifold again and get a proper poke at those rear three plugs again

[steelroe]

Cylinder config is as follows

Standing in front of engine from left to right.
Rear bank Cyl 1 3 5
Front Bank Cyl 2 4 6

Leads should be connected as follows

1-4
3-6
5-2

I think it is a bit suspect the problem only occured when the plugs were changed

Recommended plugs are

NGK DENSO
Rear Bank PFR7M PK22PR8 or IK22 or VK22
Front Bank BKR7EKC-N K22PR-UR or IK22 or VK22

[steelroe]

Ifg it sonunds like a scooby the she is not firing right either plugs are wrong, leads are wrongv way around or leads not pushed down fully

Let us know how you get on

[mcgon1979]

sounds like he did the leads correctly. I'd say the plugs are wrong... you should just get a set of 6 x IK22s all around... they are good for 60k and you'll probably never change them again. single tipped iridiums

[dave100]

I did a quick internet search and the front K22TMR11 is ok to use as well so definitely the correct plugs

cheers for the firing info rory

[dave100]

i checked all the connections and also tried switching the plugs back to original. still clack clacking (a bit like a ball bearing ricocheting around the intake manifold) and running rough so i have now reached the limit of my expertise.
Thanks for the advice guys, il keep you posted on what the mechanic diagnoses

[steelroe]

Silly question but did anything fall down one of the plug holes onto the top of one of the pistons. Just asking!!!!!!!!!

[dave100]

not that i know of rory but would that explain the rough running as well as the clack clacking?
Im thinking i have possibly broken one of the plug leads internally as they required a massive tug to get them off the rear bank. Il check them tomorrow after work and if they come up ok, then i am completely stumped
I suppose they cost an arm and a leg too?

[steelroe]

I still think it is something to do with ignition leads, coils or plugs.
What you are describing is defo a misfire. You may very well have damaged the leads.

Download the maintenance manuals and do a test on the leads. I have couple of sets of leads lying around not going to cost you an arm. Yours is a GPX yes.

[dave100]

yes rory i refuse to accept that it is not an electrical problem. Il check the leads tomorrow and let you know if i need any. yes mines a gpx. can you pm me a price for the leads please?

[dave100]

Im just off the phone with the mechanic. He has had a quick look at it and found the fault pretty quickly!
First prize goes to Rory who identified the noise as something dropped down the plug hole or inlet manifold
My mistake and obviously not good news. Mechanic won't get time to strip the head off until next week but does anyone have any idea of damage done. The mechanic has advised that best case will be a set of valves and worst will be piston and head damaged
Cant believe i have made such a daft mistake on an easy job -just goes to show that you shouldn't rush even the simplest jobs

[Mustang]

First prize goes to Rory who identified the noise as something dropped down the plug hole or inlet manifold

What did you drop?

[dave100]

Im not sure mustang as there were no nuts or bolts missing! its probably long gone out the exhaust by now

[steelroe]

I changed my plugs and adjusted tappets last week. everything went fine until I dropped one of the inlet manifold washers and could not find it, after 20 mins searching I decided it had dropped down the outside of the engine somewhere. So I stripped one off an old engine i had lying around
Plugs back in and when I turned the crankshaft to adjudt tappets I could hear a metal to metal noise like tha missing washer bouncing around. At first thought worst the washer was inside on top of one of the cylinders. Cranked it a few more times and low and vehold there was the washer moving around on the timing belt jammed between the belt and the idler.
Lucky or what that I did not start the engine.
[Word to the wise a MAGNETIC retreiver tool is invaluable when working on an engine]

You may be lucky there may not be damage hopefully[/b]

[dave100]

Latest news on the damage is that iv bought a second hand head along with a piston and conrod.
Luckily Rory had the parts from an engine that the bottom end went in so my wallet wasn't hit as bad as it could have been.
I should be back on the road by end of next week