Rough, rhythmic idle

BrianUnderwood · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 2:52 pm

This started last week. At idle the engine sounds hollow and rhythmic, and just slightly rough. At higher RPM it's just fine, sounds good, functions the same, except there seems to be a little less power but that could be my imagination. It's NOT an engine mount. I've broken three and know what that sounds and feels like. Any ideas?

thermorex · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 3:42 pm

If it's not too hard, make a small video and upload it on YouTube. Will be easier to ask for opinions this way.

geordi · **Posted:** Tue May 05, 2015 9:09 pm

Definitely a video can help, and try to make them like these:

The first one is with broken rockers, the second is after the rockers have been replaced and with my timing job.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5447172/CRD-Before.mp4

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5447172/CRD-After.mp4

BrianUnderwood · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 9:46 pm

doo doo, it definitely sounds similar to your first vid with the broken rockers... But wouldn't the rockers only break if the timing belt slipped? Or is this normal wear on a replaceable part??? My engine only has 137k miles on it, and I had the timing belt+tensioners+pulleys+waterpump+thermostat change done at 98k. I just really don't want it to be the rockers

I mean, I really don't want it to be anything bad, but I always expect something horrible with this car...

BrianUnderwood · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 10:23 pm

OK, here's a quick video. It's all sideways, but the sound is good.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fqphsq12n195q ... 6.mov?dl=0

BrianUnderwood · **Posted:** Wed May 06, 2015 11:11 pm

Almost forgot! I switched it over to 5v Bosch Glow Plug system with a re-tune from GDE. This problem started maybe 5 months after that fix, so probably not related.

geordi · **Posted:** Thu May 07, 2015 1:03 am

Yeah, it is hard to be certain, but it does seem like the two sound very similar. My video, the CRD only had 2 broken rockers, so that could be the same on yours. Sorry about that.

The rockers ARE the designed weak point in the engine, this is of course to protect everything if the timing shifts. Unfortunately, that also means that they could fail out by simple weakness. Or the timing job that was done was a mark-and-pray method where they didn't reset the engine to perfect time, but retained the already-stretched position, which when coupled with a new belt and new stretch... Pushes just beyond the available tolerances and you break rockers.

You are certainly able to hire me to do the work if you want, but it would be best served by an airline flight to get to you - we can talk about that if you are interested, just shoot me a PM and we can talk. Sorry for the bad news.

Rough, rhythmic idle

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