Hey guys,

Over the past few months i've noticed that on initial accelleration i get this tapping sound coming from under the bonnet. It sounds like it's coming from the radiator side of the car (not necessarily the radiator, just on that side).

It sounds like a cable being whipped around, and on first hearing it i thought it was the speedo cable that i recently replaced coming loose. However the speedo is working fine (still reports the wrong speed, but it's always done that).

It is alot more noticeable when under hard accelleration, and also when moving from being stationary.

So before i go pulling things apart, does anyone have any ideas as to what this could be? It is really beginning to bug the crap out of me.

Thanks.

fan belt is loose?

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Fan on shroud ....have a look how close the shroud is to the fan.

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"Show me the Mini!"

If your top right engine steady rubber is worn then it can make all sorts of wierd and wonderful noises. Grab the rocker cover with both hands and try to rock the engine back and forth, if she rocks independantly of the car, that is bad...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Hard to say without hearing it, but knocking under acceleration when low revs - your description almost sounds like pinging If your running regular unleaded try a higher RON variety - could also be running too lean or timing is too far advanced.

Could also be the crank pulley/harmonic balancer has come loose.... check by pushing/pulling fan to & for.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Exhaust leak? or worst case senario bottom end bearings.
Does it make the noise when you free rev the car or only once your moving?

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

I took a look at the fan belt and it's fine, no slack that could be causing the noise. I gave the fan a quick check over to see if it had been hitting anything, but it was hard to tell without spending some more time looking at it (had to head to work this morning). I also grabbed the rocker cover and gave the engine a shove, but there's no independent movement there.

The sound doesn't appear when going in reverse, and it also doesn't appear when free revving the engine.

The best way to describe the sound is if you got a piece of cable and whipped it against another metal surface.

cable tie holding the cv boot/pot joint on?

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