Land Rover Repair: Loud Ticking sound from 96 disco, manifold gaskets, john robison

Question
Starting 3 days again my 96 discovery with 116K on it started loudly ticking when I would accelerate. The more gas I gave it the louder it gets. Now it ticks even at idle. I talked with some friends that also have owned land rovers and they recommended Sea foam. This didn't seem to make much of a difference. Sea foam recommends pouring it in to the pcv valve. When I went to do this I the hose disintegrate in my hand. Can ticking be caused from the PCV valve? Or was this just another problem that I have?

Thanks ahead.

Evan  

Answer
There is a good chance your ticking is leakage from the exhaust manifold gaskets or a cracked header.  Both are common.

It's also common for the breather hose to rot like that. Be sure and change it because you'll get a check engine light if you drive with it broken.

Clean the breather - the part that goes into the head - while you're at it.

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John Robison