Uregent advice needed

[matt2602]

hi guys, ive just went to go out in my car got 200yds down the roads and the engine has suddenly started to sound like a tractor, theres a really big continuos tapping. Have the valves gone or something? checked the oil and theres oil in it. its a k reg 8v, AE engine

[harlemex]

sounds like big end shells to me. You need to stop driving it(if this is the case that is..) or the engine will blow completely. Shells can be replaced, biggish job tho.

[matt2602]

ive stopeed driving it stopped straight away then slowly took it back to work. the noise gets louder the more revs there are, does that still sound like the shells

[harlemex]

I couldnt be sure without a listen whether it is shells for definate, but yes it would get louder if you rev it. Were there no other signs before this happened? Oil leaks , overheating etc?

[matt2602]

no none got to work and it was fine then went to nip out at lunch at work got just down the road and then heard it so pulled over

[matt2602]

what about the pistons would that make the same kind of noise?

[Adam]

Where is the tapping coming from, top or bottom of the engine?

[matt2602]

from the top by the sounds of it when its getting louder, when the car is idling it shakes like anything too

[Adam]

Maby shaking indicated it is miss-firing?? Whip the spark plugs out, are any of them wet?

[matt2602]

shouldnt be as its been dry for the last few days, if it was misfiring would it also make that noise?