Is it the big end bearings?

[Sparky1979]

My brother has a knocking noise from his Rover 214 and i'm unsure how to tell if it is the big end bearings or not without stripping down? The car has been run almost dry of oil on more than one occasion! This knocking noise sounds like a deep rumble/quiet knocking coming from inside the block and it speeds up with the revs??? Thanks very much...

[Clanad]

My experience with knocking sounds in various engines has always indicated connecting rod end bearings tather than main bearings (I'm assuming this is what you mean by the term big end bearings). This is especially true if the noise speeds up, as you say, with increased revs in the engine. A failed main bearing usually results in a failed and seized engine, whereas a connecting rod bearing will make lots of noise before the engine suffers the same fate...

[mr rusty]

Mains (crank bearings) rumble, big ends (con-rods to crank) knock......and very loudly and distinctively, once you've heard it, you'll know it.

It sounds more like the mains going, but...to check properly you will need to strip it down and measure. Expensive if you pay someone else.

Whats the oil pressure like? Does the red light go out immediately or just above idle speed? If so it's probably OK for sometime yet- but keep an eye on the oil level, drive it sympathetically, and if it does give up the ghost and throw a rod on the M1 or wherever then a secondhand motor will be the best option if you're not oily finger inclined.