Diagnose my ticking!

Hi all,

So - I've trawled the forums on the subject, and it's clear there are many potential culprits for 'ticking', but I'm just looking to narrow down my issue with some assistance before I set fire to any more £20 notes.

Vehicle is a 1989 Ninety 300tdi conversion. It's recently had new head gasket, push rods and complete timing kit as a result of me titting about on a play and play and lurching the thing a little. At the same time as throwing the timing belt out, the ticking below started.



(Excuse me holding the revs, just trying to labour the point for the video). Camera pointing at driver's footwell as the lower rear of the block - driver's side - is where the noise is most prominent.

Points of note:
- Chemical sniff test performed with no issue found, hopefully eradicating the HG (I'm having temp issues at around 55mph+ , but that's a different conversation entirely...)
- I've had a garden-hose-to-ear on the various components around that area (vac pump etc) - no sign of anything suspect. The only area I can pin point any slight noise to at idle, is the central rear of the block, above the gearbox bell housing - but I can't locate anything of note around there. No noises from rocker cover area, and though rocker shaft wasn't changed, was believed to be fine at the point of the above work being done.
- Tappets/valve clearances have recently been adjusted again after the initial work done above, as the clearances were found to be out following the initial work. Specialist is adamant that current clearances are set correctly.

So, video above in mind, what're we saying - purely tappets? What's next, replacement of tappets/rocker arms/rocker shaft?

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

broken bronze cam follower slide?

Something I hadn't considered - thank you

I had a similar thing on mine once - took me ages to work it out.
Like you, I checked tappets. New lift pump, new vaccum pump and various other stuff.
Then one day I removed the air filter housing to weld the brackets up.
I decided to start it without the air cleaner and could hear the ticking from the rear of the engine.
Put my hand down where the head gasket is and felt air coming out with each tick.
It was the exhaust leaking out of the gasket from cylinder number four.
New head gasket sorted it
Good luck

I have a similar noise that comes from the fuel line so I assume it's the fuel pump. The ticking increases with revs. The truck still runs fine so I've learned to live with it.

The OP has said the head gasket has been replaced.

It's recently had new head gasket, push rods and complete timing kit.
How did you end up having to do all of that after just 'lurching it a bit?'

Just because the head gasket was done doesn't mean its not at fault.
Number 4 can start to leak causing the ticking.
It does not effect the oil or water ways. It leaks to the out side. Usually old age but can do it on a new head gasket.
Also check
Lift pump
Vacuum pump
Tappets
Valve stem caps are all present and not damaged.
Probably more.......

"Death-watch Tin-worm"? It is a Land Rover.
My loud ticking was a failed exhaust manifold gasket letting by.