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Home > Puma (Tdci) > Diagnosing 2.2 TDCI engine tapping noise… Rockers? Vacuum?
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Beco90



Member Since: 10 Jul 2024
Location: South Wales
Posts: 43

United Kingdom 
Diagnosing 2.2 TDCI engine tapping noise… Rockers? Vacuum?
Hi all

After some advice/suggestions. My 2011 2.2 TDCI 110 station wagon has developed a bit of a rattling noise from the engine. More obvious when it’s warmed up and with some revs. Much harder to hear when idling.

I am trying to track the noise down and after listening to various components via a mechanics stethoscope I think it’s either coming from the vacuum pump or the top end of the engine. I’d hoped it was a pulley somewhere but I don’t think that’s the case.

I’ve uploaded a video of the noise to YouTube. Link is here:

https://youtube.com/shorts/-5TP_5OluWI?si=pyINKhzsBJeoYNJq

The injector seals were replaced in January with genuine LR, new injector clamp bolts torqued up as per the workshop manual. Injector seats cleaned thoroughly with the Laser seat cleaning kit.

I’ve rechecked the injectors - there’s no perceptible movement in any of them and when listening to them through a stethoscope they all sound the same. Did a diesel leak off test on and they’re all returning similar amounts of fuel so I don’t think there’s an injector issue. Although I don’t have any way to check the live data injector deviation values.

Has anyone else had a similar noise that you managed to diagnose? Or a similar issue with a noise vacuum pump or with broken rocker arms/hydraulic lifters?

Are broken rocker arms a common issue on these 2.2 TDCI Ford engines?

It’s only on 106k, oil changed every 10k from
new. Oil last changed about 5k ago in January.

No lights on dash. No smoke or noticeable performance issues either.

Thoughts and advice greatly appreciated!


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Post #1077963 20th Oct 2025 7:43pm
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jbcollier



Member Since: 29 Apr 2024
Location: Edmonton AB
Posts: 282

Canada 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
To isolate whether it is the vacuum pump, or other belt paraphernalia, remove the auxiliary drive belt and BRIEFLY run the engine.
Post #1078017 21st Oct 2025 1:56pm
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Beco90



Member Since: 10 Jul 2024
Location: South Wales
Posts: 43

United Kingdom 
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately on the 2.2 I don’t think the vacuum pump is belt driven. It’s right on the back of the engine well away from the aux belt and pulleys. I think it’s actuallydriven by the camshaft.
Post #1078024 21st Oct 2025 3:41pm
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keith



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 2279

Scotland 
Timing chain ?
Post #1078031 21st Oct 2025 5:21pm
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Beco90



Member Since: 10 Jul 2024
Location: South Wales
Posts: 43

United Kingdom 
Timing chain is a possibility, although all seems quiet from the timing case area.

Investigating further next week and I will report back with the outcome in case anyone else experiences a similar issue in future.

Tracking down a rogue noise is always tricky and given these engines don’t seem to have any common issues beyond the injectors, in some ways that makes it trickier to diagnose!
Post #1078081 22nd Oct 2025 5:40pm
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3652

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
I have seen one or two threads on this forum where the rocker arm following bearings failed. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #1078087 22nd Oct 2025 7:02pm
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