Caterham Idle Noise
Discussion
Listening on my iPad (so not the greatest quality playback) that doesn’t sound quite right to me. You did fill it with oil didn’t you? 
Could it be coming off the alternator or tensioner rather than the engine itself? If you like, I can take a video of mine tomorrow to compare, it’s a Duratec R300 with the same plenum and dry sump system as yours.
Could it be coming off the alternator or tensioner rather than the engine itself? If you like, I can take a video of mine tomorrow to compare, it’s a Duratec R300 with the same plenum and dry sump system as yours.
It certainly doesn't sound normal. But whether it's an engine noise per say, or or a knock generated somewhere else is less easy to tell from the video. Presuming the oil pressure is OK I'd look for any engine contact with the chassis - the left hand engine mount can push the rubber mount enough to contact the chassis tube, loosen the bolts to the chassis and lever it inwards as much as you can. You may need to support the engine and loosen the bolts to the engine while you do it, then retighten them. The front of the engine can get close too, but generally look everywhere for anything that is flopping about.
euan_k said:
slime bomb - yep that sounds like it. Reassuring that someone else with a 420R has something similar. Is yours fairly new? Wondering if it's maybe a new engine thing and needs a bit of running in?
Mine is a 2018 car and that noise is the same now as it was when it was new. Take it to your nearest Caterham dealer for peace of mind. Thanks for the comments folks.
My dealer Oakmere watched the video and said that the noise is normal. Apparently the new (2016 onwards?) plastic plenum can be noisy around that area. Prior to that the plenum was metal (cast alloy?) which dampened the noise. Very interested to hear if anyone with a plastic plenum also has no noise, which would debunk this theory.
Also, they noticed my idle is really fast, ~2,000 RPM when it should be ~1,000 RPM. I think that may be contributing to a noisy idle.
Will adjust and report back.
My dealer Oakmere watched the video and said that the noise is normal. Apparently the new (2016 onwards?) plastic plenum can be noisy around that area. Prior to that the plenum was metal (cast alloy?) which dampened the noise. Very interested to hear if anyone with a plastic plenum also has no noise, which would debunk this theory.
Also, they noticed my idle is really fast, ~2,000 RPM when it should be ~1,000 RPM. I think that may be contributing to a noisy idle.
Will adjust and report back.
euan_k said:
Thanks for the comments folks.
My dealer Oakmere watched the video and said that the noise is normal. Apparently the new (2016 onwards?) plastic plenum can be noisy around that area. Prior to that the plenum was metal (cast alloy?) which dampened the noise. Very interested to hear if anyone with a plastic plenum also has no noise, which would debunk this theory.
Also, they noticed my idle is really fast, ~2,000 RPM when it should be ~1,000 RPM. I think that may be contributing to a noisy idle.
Will adjust and report back.
Mine's a 2012 car and has the plastic plemum, can be seen clearly in the video My dealer Oakmere watched the video and said that the noise is normal. Apparently the new (2016 onwards?) plastic plenum can be noisy around that area. Prior to that the plenum was metal (cast alloy?) which dampened the noise. Very interested to hear if anyone with a plastic plenum also has no noise, which would debunk this theory.
Also, they noticed my idle is really fast, ~2,000 RPM when it should be ~1,000 RPM. I think that may be contributing to a noisy idle.
Will adjust and report back.
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