18R-C sounding like a diesel

**Screamager** · 08-05-2007, 08:40 PM

Hello,

I'm here in Australia on holliday and have the use of a 1980 Corona with 18R-C engine. The other day I was driving allong and it started making what sounded like a fluttering noise from within the cabin but when I get the bonnet up and pull the throttle linkage it makes a very diesel noise. The owner of it revved the t*ts off it and the noise has all but dissapeared, I'd still like to get to the bottom of it though, I'm hoping this old girl will do another lap of the country before she dies. So if any one has any ideas this Pom would be very grateful.

Cheers, Mike.....

**thechuckster** · 08-05-2007, 11:41 PM

loose cam chain or tensioners/ followers are flogged out - noise goes as reving it lifts oil pressure and the tensioners push out a bit further.

cheap solution - relace engine oil with heavy duty oil for a diesel engine. The thicker oil quietens things down in general and lifts oil pressure at lower rpm making the oil-pressure-assisted tensioner push out a bit harder.

Cost of replacing the chain and bits is not worth the effort unless you rebuild the engine. When it finally expires, replace with another 18R.

**Screamager** · 09-05-2007, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by thechuckster

loose cam chain or tensioners/ followers are flogged out - noise goes as reving it lifts oil pressure and the tensioners push out a bit further.

cheap solution - relace engine oil with heavy duty oil for a diesel engine. The thicker oil quietens things down in general and lifts oil pressure at lower rpm making the oil-pressure-assisted tensioner push out a bit harder.

Cost of replacing the chain and bits is not worth the effort unless you rebuild the engine. When it finally expires, replace with another 18R.

Doh! Then I know exactly why this happened too then. I changed the oil about a week before this started (it doesn't get used much every week). The old oil was like tar and the engine revved much better after the change. My cousin who owns it had a drive after I'd done it (also changed the oil filter, air filter and petrol filter, there had been a severe oil leak at some point in the engine bay so the air filter was clogged also) and said it was as if it had a different engine in her.

Thanks for the solutions, I will consider my best course of action.

Do you have any idea how long this engine may last if I do nothing before it expires? Only I could do without the expense right now, re-registration is due in a week or two and I'm still looking for work (preferably IT work if any one here knows of vacancies in Brisbane).

Cheers, Mike....

**thechuckster** · 09-05-2007, 02:25 PM

could last for years - mine did for a few with a death-rattle chain tho i did change the oil frequently to keep noise down to a minimum.

Can you just pay the 6 months rego? it would be a PITA to have to get the car reparied and thru a safety certificate inspection.

**Screamager** · 09-05-2007, 02:43 PM

That's good news. I only need it to last another 10 months! How often were you changing the oil (and also how many litres does it take)? The book was talking about 4l of oil which I poured in but now it's showing way over the full mark on the dipstick. Runs better than before though.

I'm planning to go for just the 6 months rego but want to leave it untill the last min. as I might have to put it on my UK credit card :-(

One other thought, what grade of oil would you recommend, I'm currently using 20W-50?

Cheers, Mike....

**mikie** · 09-05-2007, 02:51 PM

hey.

in my celica im running 40w-70. runs alot better and smoother than any thing else iv tried so far.

cheers mike

**o_man_ra23** · 10-05-2007, 06:09 PM

Penrite HPR60, well worth the extra bucks.

I had an 18RC run for over a year with a broken valve spring, never died (vandalism and auto problems)

I had another run for about the same amount of time with the upper tensioner slipper broken at the pivot and loose in the timing case. Again, never died, replaced with 18RG.

Current 18RC has a shonky bigend, still goes fine, rattle comes and goes.

Moral of the story?? 18RCs are virtually indestructable, just run some thick oil, and get an oil filter with an anti drainback valve. Sounds like she has the kind of rattle that comes from being nurtured after neglect.

Dont let the rego go over... its a $45 fee to get it reinstated without RWC within 14 days of expiry if you dont pay before the due date.

Cheers, Owen

**jeffro ra28** · 10-05-2007, 09:02 PM

If your looking for a good oil to use in this engine use Gulf Western Comp 50.
Good thick mineral oil for older engines.... Very thick...

**o_man_ra23** · 10-05-2007, 09:27 PM

Penrite oils have been proven to provide improved protection and stronger films though, keep it from blowing up even if its getting dodgy.

Cheers, Owen

**SillyCarS** · 10-05-2007, 10:51 PM

buy my rg package off me you can have it for 1g exhaust, ectrators ancillaries, ignitor etc

**Screamager** · 11-05-2007, 08:04 AM

Many thanks to all have replied. I'm going to have to go with the minimum cost solution for now and hope it lasts. I will do more work on her if I make enough money not to have to think about the costs but untill then it's minimal at best!

Perhaps this should be a new thread but does any one know where the rev-counter cables are? The counter works very occasionally but most of the time it's dead. I think it's a loose connection.

Cheers, Mike....

**o_man_ra23** · 11-05-2007, 08:11 AM

things to check: the guage fuse, the plugs at the back of the tacho (rev-counter must be a pohmmy term), and the plug that goes into the coil. If its missing etc, then check the plug that goes from the dizzy to the coil. There should be a black wire around about where the drivers strut tower is, with a plug that goes to the dizzy... that plug can be an issue.

Cheers, Owen