Have had a few niggly problems with my 02 4.4 over the past two weeks but nothing serious until today.

Out on a run when sudden, very loud screeching/grinding noise from engine. Pulled over just as noise stopped, popped bonnet and could here slight whirring behind passenger side cam cover, engine running fine though, so decided to carry on the last 10 miles to home. Got 1 mile from home when same again, pulled in imediately then engine cut out. Called a mechanic friend who came for a look, started up, no noise! (engine had cooled down for about an hour). Drove to his garage (running perfectly) and left running to see if noise would come back. It did after about 5-6 mins. Engine cut again, looks like whatever was making the noise managed to stop the engine turning! Noise was definately coming from front passenger side of engine, probably top end / cam chain area.
Started up again after 5 mins - no noise, switched off and went home to drown sorrows

I have left it with him to investigate as I am going away to work for 3 weeks. Anyone have any suggestions what could be wrong?

Please tell me it could be a cheap fix. If you like it, who cares what other people think

I would have thought initially a seized pulley or something similar... 

I had something similar on a p38. It was the ac compressor seizing. My Previous RR's!
2018 P400e Autobiography
2008 TDV8 Vogue
2006 TD6 Vogue
2007 TDV8 Vogue
2007 RRS (I know, it doesn't count!)
2005 4.4 Vogue on LPG
2005 TD6 Vogue
2003 4.4 Vogue
2001 4.6 HSE
2000 2.5 DHSE
1999 4.6 HSE
1997 4.6 HSE on LPG
1995 2.5 DSE
1989 3.9 EFI classic
1988 3.5 EFI classic

That crossed my mind and I had the air con switched off just in case, but I assume the compressor will still be spinning anyway. The noise sounded like it came from the rocker cover area but it would be a relief if it were something like the AC If you like it, who cares what other people think

Hoping someone may have some ideas on this. Currently with independent who has removed rocker cover but can't see any problem. No dealer / specialist on island where I live, so struggling to find answer.

The noise is quite literally head turning (from a distance)

Hope you can help

Cheers If you like it, who cares what other people think

Have you checked the fan belt tensioner, mine seized causing a horrific noise, didn't stop the engine though, you might also have a tensioner on the other drive belts, you need a good torch to see it.

Hi Vogue, how would you describe the noise.

My engine is making a very loud metallic grinding noise, which sometimes dissapears completely

I can't check it myself as I am working away from home at the moment and have left it with an independant garage, who have no idea what it could be. If you like it, who cares what other people think

Seems odd that it's kind of intermittent. Possibly rules out things like a collapsed timing chain follower. Could it be oil pump related? Wondering if at some point there could be some starvation hence the graunching noise?

Stoich wrote:

Hi Vogue, how would you describe the noise.

My engine is making a very loud metallic grinding noise, which sometimes dissapears completely

I can't check it myself as I am working away from home at the moment and have left it with an independant garage, who have no idea what it could be.

scrap it, £1500 cash!!!

Haha

Since it's you Rory you can have it for a grand, and I'll throw in a full tank. It would be ideal for you and your boyfriend, save you dirtying the seats in your own car. If you like it, who cares what other people think

Quote:

Since it's you Rory... It would be ideal for you and your boyfriend, save you dirtying the seats in your own car.

i take it you found out i had been two timing you....................................

home thurs mate, ill call you when i get in.....................

away to inverness straight from aberdeen.

hope you get the rangie sorted and its no too expensive!!!

Result

Just got home last night, went to garage this morning.

It's the water pump. Bearing has colapsed. Can't believe it would make that amount of noise, and surprised it could come and go. Mechanic seemed impressed with the noise it was making.

Feared the worst so this is a major relief.

 If you like it, who cares what other people think