hi all

[danielj]

Originally Posted by maverickpascall

ha ha ha maf???lsd??
are they legal?

there is no oil on the floor,anywhere and only smoke there is.when you first start the engine just a single puff of black smoke thats so slight its easily missed.it idles where you said and very smooth.there is oil on the engine at the back,middle but i wiped it and no more was there after a short run.
i have been on my back on th floor today and found pretty much no rus at all.

when driving with the window down it does sound like a grass hopper/cricket is running along next to you so i suspect a wheel bearing looking tommorow and went 100 miles his evening so will check oil again too

Have that oil on the back of the engine also. Don't know for sure what it is or where its coming from but on mine looks like might be poor seal of liquid gasket between transmission and engine. My guess is that some work was done on clutch or similar before I got it nearly three years ago and the liquid gasket mightent have been a perfect seal. But I'm only guessing. It does use a bit of oil but nothing much. I change oils every 7,000 miles or so and it does not need a top up between oil changes so I don't worry about it.
I would advise though that you also keep a check on water. Mine uses a good bit of water and has since I got it. Truck runs fine and there is no indication of a head gasket problem. Initially heavy water use was due to water pump going (which seems to be common enough but thankfully not a big deal to change), then thermostat went (common enough also and again an easy fix). I know the gasket is missing from the thermostat housing and a copper washer missing from a water pipe connector so water may be escaping at these points. In any case, my point is keep a frequent eye on the water level in the expansion bottle at least initially until you know the waterworks are sound.
Would suggest regular fuel filter changes, at least every 12,000 miles, as crud does seem to build up and can give odd running problems.
On the grasshopper ticking noise, check your tyres for any stones stuck between tyre threads or any nails in the tyres. They would sound like that.