The Dark Wob

When the temperature drops below exactly five degrees outside my van's engine becomes very vocal. It has a loud knock coming from the top of the engine and is much noiseier altogether. It's always done this and doesn't drive any different at all. Even fully warmed up is still makes the noise. Once the temperature climbs above five it smooths out and sounds quiet again.
What would cause this? Does the ecu alter the timing or injector firing when it gets cold?
It doesn't have an outside temperature guage.

It might be reading the inlet air temperature and adjusting the fuelling due to the temp, someone cleverer than me will be able to explain it better.

Diesels go far better when its cold and damp , cold damp dense air expands more during combustion , hence the knock? Spitfire engines had water injection ..but hooli or chadders would know more about that than me

Anyone know anything about a Goblin 4x4?

Tempted by this non-runner with a mini engine apparently

Drum wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:17 pm Anyone know anything about a Goblin 4x4?

Tempted by this non-runner with a mini engine apparently

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Who fucking cares that's brilliant!

T'internet suggests they were built in Carlisle and yes Mini "powered". Looks like a mobile riot shield - get it bought!

It looks a lot better than your usual buys.

LynehamHerc wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:25 pm It looks a lot better than your usual buys.

TBF if I needed a motorised wheelbarrow and had a bit of land that looks perfect*. I'm assuming the passenger side pedal lets the back tip too? Galvanised box section used so properly made and balloon tyres so it doesn't tear the ground up with excellent departure angles, it may be pretty competent at it's job too? Gearing dependent of course.

Took my van to friendly mechanic today as it's got another suspected grumbling wheel bearing. Has a fair bit of play in steering rack but Its got a leak and I've another rack ready to go in so will get rid of the leak and the play in one go.
We also noticed driver side shock weeping and little damping effect as well as a noisy passenger side top mount. I've decided to pull the trigger on it and chuck new shocks,springs,drop links and top mounts on it when the rack gets changed on Thursday.
I did consider maybe getting rid as it will need a couple spots of welding in next year or so but it boils down to what the market is like. I've done 10k in that van since October and it's not really given me any grief except for alternator and steering rack but again it's 20 years old and has nearly 160k on clock. Everything else is wearing and tear items. I doubt I could replace it without having to spend out on something new and whatever bits that needs sorting thought best to stick with what I know.
I've been up and down the country in that van and it's never caused me problems or made me have to cancel a job. May not be the fastest or most refined but it's very capable.
Question is have I done the right thing?

The right thing with your luck or for anyone else?

I'd do the same, especially as you've got a big pile of spares littering the garden.