For Chris

Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

Hiya Chris, have been given your name via the Coupe club (drhex)

I have just bought a P reg Megane, and it has a snag with the engine.

I have been told that the tappets need re-setting, as it sounds like a diesel (only when revved hard and changing gear)

Is this a major job??? Owned a Ford before and they had hydraulic tappets. My infomant said that to sort the tappets out was a nightmare. The car has only done 42K and otherwise in very good condition for a P reg.

Well that was the first diagnosis, now it turns out (aparently) it is this now

Just had the engine looked at by several garages, looks like the tappets are not the problem which is good

The problem has been isolated to either the main or big end bearings which is bad

Looks like a re-con or second hand engine is needed.

Been quoted Â£275+VAT+Â£35 (delivery) for the engine with 44K on clock (mine has 42K and fcuked), and about Â£200-Â£300 for fitting which is all fluids/filters and cambelt. So all in all about Â£700 for the lot, not bad since I have had the car for only 4 days!!!!

You can hear a very slight tappet noise at idle, and i mean slight. But at approx 2,500 you can hear a rattle/loud rumble, which apparently is at the point where bearing noise can be heard. And it sounds like a bad diesel!!!!

Drhex has been very helpful, he thinks the problem could still be the tappets (cheaper job!). Have you any thoughts on this please or anybody!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be away for a day or so, so if I dont reply, honest I am not being rude!!!

Cheers for any help guys

Garry

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

if its the bearings then it will be a loud knock/rumble.

My mrs P plate megane has a knocking around 2.5krpm under load now according to the dialogies it shoudl have been covered under warrenty to have new big end bearings put in, it didn't, its not over 100k miles a and its still going on fine, so its not a problem.

Tappets are an easy enough job, should take half an hour or so.

If its a constant rattle it'll be the tappets, if its a heavy knock then it will be the bearings, there are exception so I would adjust the tappets first of all.

Big end bearings will make a racket at half engine speed when that cylinder fires, mains will do it all the time.

Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

Hiya Chris.

Thanks for the reply.

It sounds to me that you have hit the nail on the head mate. The rumble is definately in and around the 2.5K mark, you can only hear it when you are stopped and revving the car slowly to the 2.5-3K area and when changing gear (usually up the gears, when giving her a boot!).

A good mate of mine suggested the tappets first, he mentioned shimming and all sorts of bother. I then took it to several garages who then said it's probably the main/big end bearing, as the noise sounded too heavy to be tappets. The noise is fairly constant, so with this mind and with your advice, would this point to the main bearings????

If it is the bearings, how long can I can expect the thing to run on for? i.e how long has your Mrs motor been doing the same???

Think I may get the tappets done and seek another opinion tomorrow anyway, any ideas on cost on time to do job???

Cheers for the advice so far!

Garry

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

get the tappets done anyway and see if that sorts it.

Her cars been doing it for at least 40k which is when the girl (my sisters mate) got the car, we bought it from her, she never serviced it in 30k and the noise got no worse so it will soldier on.