Outer Limits 4x4 Board

OK before you sledge the s#*t out of me, it was all in the name of racing that I drove the buggy without oil for a stage at SATC I won that's the main thing, but now it has a rattle in the engine, I have some thoughts as to what the problem could be, but just want to get some ideas what others think would have gone on it (bottom end or top end) what is the weakest part of the 3.9, just don't want to have to pull the lots down.

Good news is it's still running

The rattle will be the cam lobes and followers.
These are the first wear point in a Rover engine. Even with perfect lubrication cams /chains /sprockets/and followers will be lucky to last over 160KKms and usually at 130KK.
Don't let it go too long or the lobes break up and then score the oil pump.
Bottom ends will last up to 500KK, but without oil its a lottery.
If the oil relief valve jams in them, the cam will be toast in 5Minutes.
Regards Philip A

Definetly sounded like bottom end bearings to me Damo.

nottie wrote:Definetly sounded like bottom end bearings to me Damo.

I would tend to agree. Have you refilled it with oil? Drain a bit out and see if there are silver flakes/particles in it.

I had a rover (4cyl) that blew a rear main once and ran for a while with low oil. The white metal flaked off the main bearings. New set of bearings and rear main and it was good as new.

Oh Ben there was plenty of metal coming out of her.

They did a have a problem with camshaft float (north/south) and there was a official Landrover fix.

i have a 97 disco with the same motor. i was towing a caravan to coffs from newcastle. just outside of coffs i heard a noise that sounded like an exhaust leak. the rattle got a lot worse on the way home. it turned out that the oil pump screen was blocked re poor maintenance. this ment no oil was getting anywhere it should have. i was told that it was the lifters that were rattling. most times when i start it rattles for about 2-3 secs till the oil pressure builds up then its sweet. this happened a week after i got it my advice is to only buy 1 you KNOW the history of or if you can really trust the service history. hope this helps

I wouldnt ignore armbrup he is no fool
The Rover V8s main weakness is the cam and lifters
Not to say it hasnt effected the big ends but the cam and lifters
will be effected first.