Hello everyone
I have a 2011 Range Rover 4.4tdv8 with just over 100,000 good service history (had it only for about 6months.

But I have an issue:
Everything was fine the other day accelerated (to be fair) rather harshly up to 70mph while on dual carriage way. After finishing the short stretch of road this sound began. A rattling/knocking type noise from the engine. It’s get worse/louder as the rpm goes up and is very apparent at idle. No faults came up on dash of limp mode. Slowly nursed home. Wouldn’t say it was down on power but more rough idle/running for the short trip.
Had no issues of this kind before with it so thought it would be something simple but can’t seem to find it. I’ve even cut the belts off in case it’s the tensioner or something but no. Now I’m dreading it’s the timing chain?
What makes my concerns worse is that when you open the oil fill cap the sound seems to get louder. Even though this may not prove anything will “poking” at the chain which is visible through the filler neck it seems Regis and has no movement.


Any advice would be appreciated as I’m sick and worried about it.
Thanks

Can’t help directly I’m afraid, but I know that if you take the oil filler cap off, a “normal” one has the odd ticking and noise….

Good luck…

 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

It's unlikely to be your chain or chain guides - they're not a known issue on the 4.4 TDV8. There will always be some chain noise from inside the cover (which will of course sound louder with the oil cap off).

Initially I would have said the rattle could be related to your auxiliary belt.

Is the rattle still present with no auxiliary belt fitted? (Bearing in mind the water pump is driven by the auxiliary drive, so don't want to do this for too long) 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Thank you for your reply’s. Yes I didn’t think it was overly abnormal to have a noise when you remove the oil cap but at a stage now we’re just overthinking anything.

Not sure if it is or isn’t fortunate but with both belts removed the rattle is still present, no difference really.

Yes on the topic of them failing on these cars I agree from my findings. It’s actually proving to be hard and at times confusing when searching the web as anything similar to my issue that I have been able to find has been for earlier cars with the different 4.4 v8 engine.


Thinking about the noise a bit and from Defender experience, it could also sound like a loose injector.

Something I should say which makes things more frustrating, the noise isn’t particularly in only one zone of the engine. The slightest possibility it’s more on the passenger side but I don’t think so. Would say it’s more towards the from of the engine however.
It’s a big struggle to see much of the parts under the bonnet to easily rule things out unfortunately.

Please keep the advice coming, much appreciated.

Something I should reinforce to help anyone with knowledge is that other than the actual noise the only other symptom I can see is a rather “lumpier and unstable” idle, but nothing overly crazy.

I have an Hawkeye diagnostic unit. It’s not showing any faults currently, on the until read it did have a cylinder 2 misfire fault but it was stored and cleared no problem and hasn’t come back so not sure if it’s from before it directly in respect of this issue.

But at no stages I’ve actually had the EML etc come into play ?

Are injectors common to get loose on these late 4.4’s?

Surely someone has some information they can give? Any ideas appreciated, really stuck on what to do.

Can you upload a video?

Can you not pinpoint the area where the noise is coming from?
Mine makes a nasty clattering sound with the oil filler cap off but is quiet with it on.
My fuel injection pump had a random loud clicking noise which disappeared after using some heavy concentrated fuel cleaner.

Ok so a few ideas:

Fuel

- when was the fuel filter last changed?
- Injectors - related to the above point, if some dirty fuel has made its way to 1 or more injectors, they may be leaking / not spraying correctly, resulting in one or more cylinders not fully combusting

Driveline

- driveshafts - occasionally one pops loose
- Propshafts - bearings are known to fail
- Transfer Box. This is slightly toward the passenger side


Ultimately, I think you need to get a good diagnostic machine (caution that any fault codes will give the symptom, not necessarily the cause) on it and also record a video of the noise, as at the moment the field needs narrowing down. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Tapping or rattling?

Had something similar on a bmw diesel, turned out timing chain had jumped a tooth causing one valve to hit top of piston.

Took ages to track it down after investigating injectors, injection pump etc etc.

Worth considering?

If you need to get it to a independent specialist then I can highly recommend www.glenrands.co.uk
I've tried lots around the South. Their customer service is miles ahead of the rest!
Rob 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
New Defender D300 90 on order so "Rory" will be going to a new home....!
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
My preferred specialist: www.glenrands.co.uk
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Thank you for the reply’s guys.
1) fuel filter, I’m not 100% sure but the car has good service history. I had bought one a few weeks ago to change it anyway (was going to do a full service prior to this issue arising)
Guess I’ll change it anyway

2) Possibly injector related, is there a way to test without taking each one out?
As for fuel quality I generally use V-power.

3)Location of the noise, this is the most trickiest thing as what’s made me really stumble on this. Whatever I do from the top of the car underneath side etc, I can’t seem to pinpoint the sound. There’s the slightest very slightest possibility it’s more from the passenger side but I can’t even conclude that.

What ever the issue is, it’s not causing any fault through the ECU but is causing the noise and rougher running.

As previously mentioned I have removed both the auxiliary belts so it’s not the tensioner or water pump etc.


I will try and get a video of the noise tomorrow and upload, any more things I should look out for which you can recommend I can try or picture as well

To add,
The sound is present from idle, but increases in volume as the Rpms increase too.

A garage won't charge much for an injector leak off test. 2015 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 SDV8

Hello everyone
Thank you for your reply’s and advice!

Today was the first chance I got to go turn the car on and take a video to post. But there’s been a discovery. It would crank but not fire. Read the code which is “dtc: P062A Control Circuit Range/Performance.”
Firstly how do I go about that?

Secondly, could this be my overall problem too? Causing the knock/rattle.

Thirdly and this may be an irrelevant question. But while the cars cranking/spinning over continuously (but not fired up) the noise isn’t present. Could that rule out anything as well?

Thanks