Loud tapping noise from top of engine
Exhaust noisy at 3-4000rpm - knackered baffles
New discs and pads
Headlamp bulb.
I bought a low mileage FSH Si late last year, and thought I'd done the right thing by taking my time and sourcing a cared for and looked after car.
On a longish trip, a tapping noise started from the top of the engine. I pulled over and listened to it, and came to the conclusion one or more of the hydraulic cam followers had become blocked, or failed. Not a huge problem in itself, so I continued driving the car.
After much head scratching, an engine flush, a strip-down and clean-up of the followers and cams, I sold the car with the fault. The new owner has replaced the cam followers and the noise is still present - so it sounds like it was a little end starting to die.
Not overly impressed as the car was very well maintained, and I didn't drive it harshly by any stretch of the imagination.
They are well equipped cars, very comfortable and grippy, and have very nice handling. The Si goes like the clappers in 3rd/4th/5th, but you soon get tired of the high revs when on the motorway.
I have a 96 (Mk1) Ford Mondeo 2L Ghia X - It has exactly the same problem (has covered at least 3000 miles with the noise present) - I too had new cam followers etc. fitted which made no difference.
I think it may be small end bearing, but would have thought the noise would have got worse by now or the bearing would have failed altogether.
Ill keep driving the car which drives very well apart from the noise until it blows up or a piston decides to go through the bonnet.
Rcgifford@tesco.net.
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