I have a Fiesta RST - when I started it this morning there was a loud knocking when I started the car - like something banging off the inside of the rocker cover - was like metal on metal. It didnt clear unitl the car was revved.

The car was in at AVA yesterday and got Rolling roaded etc. Was 120bhp at the wheels after chipping.

Im wondering if this has anything to do with the cars lack of use before I bought it. It was slow revving and needing some TLC when i bought it a few months back. Its only done 40k.

Anyway the car sat in the driveway for 3 hours so I nipped out and started it again - and it happened again - any suggestions?

 

was the weather cold and was it like a clunging sound) if so I'll say that some if not all the cam followers were stuck due to having NO oil getting pump through them as the oil is too thick on start up(until it warms slightly which will allow it to flow),try flushing and then changing the oil and see if that helps

 

The weather is chilly. I've never had a FRST do this before - I know the normal noise that the car makes on start up in the cold for the first 30 secs or so but this is 10 times louder. Its like a hammer thumping the rocker - did it again just at lunch - seems to happen once the car is left sitting 2-3 hours.

Will try changing the oil but it was only done 1,500 miles ago.

 

I do a hydraulic tappet complete change..as long as the noise is definately top end?

 

The car also is low on power - it had been either driven very cautiosly or been sitting doing nothing for years.

I just had it chipped but once it hits 3,500 the power tails off to almost standard power. It really doesnt like revving. Im not sure if thats connected or how to sort it.

The noise is top end. Looks like tappets then. Bad timing as I have no cash

 

could it not b a bit of piston slap? just a suggestion

 

its the followers mate just as what alvyn said but if your low on power you may need a whole new cam kit. Try Piper or Kent

 

Is it easy to tell what I need if shes opened up?

 

really need to find out if its a bottom end knock or a top end.
If the cars been sat for a good while, its possible the Actuators gone weak.

 

It was sitting before I bought it but its all serviced and running now. I have done 4,000 miles in it - apart from some hesitation at town speeds its been running fine.

It has a new actuator and but very slow revving when I got it but its had 2 oil changes now and done some miles its better.

Its still low on power but now with a knocking noise too Not sure what everyone means by the bottom end or the top - it sounds like its almost directly banging off the rocker cover.

 

Well the noise now only happens after the car has been left sitting for over 1 hour.

It only lasts 2-3 seconds then goes away.

Apart from that one noise the engine sounds fine and as good as any RST i've had.

 

I'm STILL going with sticking cam followers m8 and in time(once you've been using it again they will all be fine

 

I have used some engine cleaner and changed the oil and filter.

Its revving far better in 2nd now but still has a flat part between 3-4,000 from 3rd up. Its still not revving properly - the rolling road graph shows a good pick up to 3,000 rpm then its a very slow pick up then about 4,000rpm its a bit better again but no where near what it should be.

Will have to wait until tommorrow to see if the "noise" is back

 

the noise is tappets/followers, im pretty sure of that. as for the revving....... what colour are the spark plugs? are the leads perished in any way?

 

New plugs and Ford leads not sure on the colour of the plugs at the moment.