I'm almost in disbelief too - but I did buy it with the previous owner telling me this, so I'm not surprised. I haven't started it due to the metallic rat-at-tat-tat noise it makes as it's about to fire (see video). I think it'd do more harm than good at this stage. I suppose a compression test would at least identify which cylinder is at fault.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HupgMPlA3vk

I've removed the cam cover and it looks pretty clean - which is why this is a bit of a surprise

That is super clean. Can you see if one the buckets is depressed? Taking off the cam first would probably safer, you can the check heights and press on the buckets, even remove them.

I'd want to hear the compression on turn over without ignition. It sounds even enough but hard to tell, then when it fires that's when there is a high pressure leak. Spark plug not in right? Sounds like a helicoil repair I got done once that was done badly and didn't seal. Its a very small pressure gas leak.

The buckets seemed ok - but I'll have another look and see if I can film it while cranking.

I know what you're saying about a pressure leak - I did wonder that myself, I'll double check but the spark plugs did seem ok but I know the previous owner did have them out at some point.

Hard to tell from a video but I think in person the sound is 'harsher'. Would you reckon a compression test is worth doing?

Take the plugs out and turn it over by hand. If it was/is a stuck valve, then if it was stuck up the cam lobes would be fouling the buckets, if it was stuck open the piston crown now has dents in it!

If everything is free with no compression (i.e. you don't feel the valve and piston colliding) then think about a compression test.

Fair suggestion Chris - that sounds like the next thing to do. However, I wonder if the possibility is the valve is stuck slightly open or only moving partially - thus not actually hitting the piston and the noise is actually the sound of a high pressure leak? Speculation....

If there is damage, its is done already. I think remove the plugs and check the compression. It will determine the cylinder or blame the plugs (if the tester doesn't rely on the plug seal).

Oh, the other thing is - when it doesn't start to fire you can turn it over on the starter as much as you like and it doesn't make any abnormal noises - if it was piston to valve contact I'd expect to hear the same. Progress is halted for a little bit while awaiting delivery of a couple of tools (my friend didn't give me back my compression tester when I lent it to them 5 years ago! )

Yeah, that does sound a bit dodgy, but no worse than trying to refill hydraulic tappets, although, of course, these are not hydraulic! Oh, and nice to see another carbie car!!

Missing tools arrived today - quick look tonight has revealed number 4 spark plug not done up tight - perhaps because it's the most awkward one, shouldn't ever assume things like this are right when buying a car! Points go to Ride_on. So, when it tries to fire now the scary noise has gone - still not running so will check fuel next (it'll be very stale if it's actually flowing from the tank at all - although the fuel filter looks to have fuel in it) as there is spark. Before all that I'll do a quick compression test anyway.

Quick update - compression test revealed zero compression on cylinder one. I suspect the previous owner had already done a compression test due to the plugs being loose. Suspect valve not closing. Compression isn't healthy on the remaining cylinders either - but are at least consistent, so I reckon the head will be off soon.

Ohh I can't wait. Pictures please!

Will keep this updated when I get cracking - will probably be the bank holiday weekend at this rate. On a more positive note the GLT passed it's MOT and is back from winter hibernation!

Hmmm, this sounds like the perfect excuse to rip out that horrible B200K and put something like a B200/230FT/K in it. Why go to all the hassle of fixing what is the least desirable redblock when you could just as easily fit a decent one?

Rupert, it's only really you and Chris that don't like the B200K and I seem to remember you've only driven later low compression examples

I'd argue the point that fitting a cylinder head is a much easier task than swapping the whole lump too Plus the thing is so original, I'd like to keep it that way as I hadn't planned on keeping it long term... yet.

This could get boring for a week or so, so here's a few more pics (I wish Aymat would sort out the auto resize!)

Good to see:

a) WWF sticker. Seems all ex-giffer DAF/Volvos came standard with them My old DAF came with both a WWF and an IFAW sticker. Abby has a RSPB sticker.

b) A Pioneer KE-1300. An interesting head unit with a 32 position LED "pointer" rather than a pointer on a string or a digital display.