Ditto what Panky said and new jubilee clips all round! You could always start the engine up with the pulley off for a short while to see if the knocking is still apparent.
I fired him up last night without the pulley attached, and the tapping is still there. I took off the rocker cover and everything looked ok while running, but I probably need to get some feeler guages and check all the clearances. The timing chain cover is coming off today, and once thats done I don't know what else I can do, so I will have to get someone in to have a look....
The noise did seem to be more a rythmic clatter only occuring (or rather worse) at certain revs. And it did seem to be coming from the front of the engine.
With the front pulley loose (or off) maybe it is that little thrower plate inside he timing chain cover that is normally held tight by the pulley? or maybe the rubber timing chain tensioner has perished (not uncommon) and it is the chain rattling about?
Hmmm.
I think with the timing chain cover off things might become clearer. Check that the two timing wheels aren't loose
Hi Sam! Took the timing chain cover off and unfortunately everything looks great!
The chain is in VGC, the cogs look perfect, and the tensioner hardly has a blemish on it - I can't believe its done 60k!
Next step is to check the rocker clearance, and then take the head off. Bit by bit, the causes are being identified!
Well, I adjusted the rocker clearances yesterday, and the tapping seems to have gone away....
It was just a VERY quick test as I have no cooling system attached, so next job is to put it all back togather and take it for a little spin. Fingers crossed!
Yeah, if only I'd done it all in the right order! However, we're not out of the trees yet. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, I will be able to say that the issue has been resolved