Help with funny noise from RB30

[dom14]

My RB30(carby model) just started making a constant noise after warmed up.
It's apparently coming from hydraulic lifters.
Before, the unit was making lifter noise for few seconds when I cold start it, then goes away.
Now, the noise starts after warm up.
It's ticking noise, coming from engine under the rocker cover. I reckon it started with hot weather.
It only happens on idling.
It's on dual fuel.
The idling is running around 1100rpm at the moment.
I advanced the timing little bit and also raised the idling rpm(on carby) to help with start & warm up.
Not sure if that caused this.
I changed oil and filter not that long ago and it's still good.
I got the head reconditioned exactly two years ago(without doing the valve seats).
I've done around 35k since then.

Any help would be great with locating the noise.

Thanks guys.

P.S. I will post the noise as an audio mp3 file if that helps. Thanx.

[BigRAWesty]

A diesel man myself, but is it possible that your engine is pinging due to the advanced timing?

Once warmed up the fuel might be igniting early giving a ping sound.
Try retarding the timing a but back to factory maybe And see what happens..

[sil3nt_dr3ams]

Grab a big screw driver , standard/flatblade since its the longest in the kit. hold the handle put the end of the handle against your ear and then put the tip against anything in the engine bay you should be able to hone in where that noise is coming from. you should be able to isolate the sections thats making the noise your after.

P.S I hope you find whats so funny about your noise .

[dom14]

Changed the heading mate. It's no longer funny.
BTW, I decided to get hold of mechanic's stethoscope.
I reckon it may give a better result than a flat screwdriver, right?!

Grab a big screw driver , standard/flatblade since its the longest in the kit. hold the handle put the end of the handle against your ear and then put the tip against anything in the engine bay you should be able to hone in where that noise is coming from. you should be able to isolate the sections thats making the noise your after.

P.S I hope you find whats so funny about your noise .

[slamnsam]

the noise you are explaining is extremely common with rb30's in vl commodores so i assume the same would be correct in your situation. anyway here goes best bet is to pull your rocker cover, remove the rocker blocks, remove the tappets etc. give the whole lot a good soak in degreaser and blow out with compressed air and re assemble. if you still have issues it may need new lifters or have a worn cam

[threedogs]

It should only just be pinging on petrol and I mean just.
Gawd I hate dual fuel a real pitb

[mudnut]

May sound a little bit silly, but the noise isn't a blown exhaust gasket is it? Just an easy thing to check.

[fourj]

Yeah I agree with Mudnut. RB 30s are notorious for breaking exhaust manifold studs, which will cause the leak. Worth looking at, relatively easy fix.

[dom14]

It should only just be pinging on petrol and I mean just.
Gawd I hate dual fuel a real pitb

Not possible for me to own a fourby on petrol alone mate. They guzzle way too much petrol on long trips.
It pings or ticks on both fuel. Started with the hot weather. I reckon I start with a tuneup of the carby and the ignition timing, then go down to the lifters and the cam.

[dom14]

May sound a little bit silly, but the noise isn't a blown exhaust gasket is it? Just an easy thing to check.

Not at all. I did the head gasket myself not that long ago......well.....two years long ago.
But, haven't done very long trips since then to accumulate lot of kms.
No water leaks(as far as I can see), and no oil water mix. But I'm seriously considering doing the head properly soon with
a fully reconditioned head, suitable for lpg.