V6 Cologne engine sounds loud tappet rattles in my S2

V6 Cologne engine sounds loud tappet rattles in my S2

Author
Discussion

glenrobbo

35,304 posts

151 months

Tuesday 31st July 2012
quotequote all
If you're not too keen on the smell of burning flesh, a strip of newspaper folded along it's length makes a handy exhaust leak detector. It flutters if put in the path of the blow.
HTH

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Tuesday 31st July 2012
quotequote all
Ahh Top Tip just in time Thanks Buddy.

glenrobbo

35,304 posts

151 months

Tuesday 31st July 2012
quotequote all
I got that tip from a bloke in the Burns Unit.biggrin

Top Gear TVR

2,244 posts

155 months

Monday 6th August 2012
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Just wondered if you got to the bottom of your noise?

I find mine is a bit noisy with the tappets set right. If i adjust the tappets a little tighter (say one or two thou') it will quieten a little but then definately lets by the valves, which is much worse an idea in terms of longevity and performance.

I think we are better off with a little tapping to avoid serious head-work.

Keen to hear if you found anything though


S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Monday 6th August 2012
quotequote all
Not had chance to do any checking as yet. Been very wet, and had weekend away. So TVR wrapped up in its nest. Hope to get her out Saturday. Will post any findings on here!

orange_dodo

694 posts

190 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
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I have an S2 and I have solid tappets. I find I have to adjust them about every year.

Just adjusted them a couple of weeks ago as they were well out after all the max rev running that it went through at Spa hehe

The clearances are 0.35mm inlet and 0.40mm exhaust.

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

205 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
I know the 2.8 could have issues where it could spin a cam bearing in the block and cut off the oil supply to one of the heads - not a clue if the 2.9 can suffer this. I don't think its that common anyway but just check you are getting a top end oil supply before replacing anything. (Is the tappet rattle predominantly one side of the engine?)
Low oil pressure would also make it tappety if the engine is worn.

phillpot

17,122 posts

184 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
orange_dodo said:
The clearances are 0.35mm inlet and 0.40mm exhaust.
14 and 16 thou in English wink


glenrobbo

35,304 posts

151 months

Wednesday 8th August 2012
quotequote all
phillpot said:
orange_dodo said:
The clearances are 0.35mm inlet and 0.40mm exhaust.
14 and 16 thou in English wink
But das ist ein Koln engine Herr Phillpot.
It only permitted to use mm.
Hier Ve do not allow your Englischer sows ! wink

Top Gear TVR

2,244 posts

155 months

Thursday 9th August 2012
quotequote all
I am beginning to wish the barrier had stayed down.

Thou' every time glenrobbo

glenrobbo

35,304 posts

151 months

Thursday 9th August 2012
quotequote all
Top Gear TVR said:
I am beginning to wish the barrier had stayed down.


Thou' every time glenrobbo
Thou art correct of course Steve.
Imperial measures win every time, but the ones I like best are pints.
beerbiggrin

orange_dodo

694 posts

190 months

Friday 10th August 2012
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I feel very young!

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Friday 10th August 2012
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Sorry for the delay in updating progress, but now we have some sunshine I just wanna drive it.

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Friday 17th August 2012
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Well not much progress here, checked for exhaust manifold blow, can't find any problems. Also tried the old mechanic trick. Big screwdriver pointy bit against suspect parts and ear pressed to handle end. Sounds sweet as you like on the rocker covers, beginning to think the camshaft maybe the next suspect!
Brain fade,..... forgot to look for the engine number to see if I have hydraulic or adjustable tappets, watch this space!!

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
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Before getting to pull everything apart, thought I would just go back to an earlier post and flush the oil system and use a non synthetic oil.
This seems to have quietened it down a little, maybe I am being picky and am looking for perfection and with an old V6 Ford engine this is gonna be asking a lot!

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Friday 19th October 2012
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Gonna have a go this weekend and thought by adding to the thread it would then be easier to find all the good advice you guys offered.
Refurbing the rocker covers at the same time, and picking up the replacement seats, have re road taxed as well so those chilly morning runs are a must.
Busy TVR weekend.

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

205 months

Saturday 20th October 2012
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Take the rocker assembly off complete and make sure all the oilways are clear. Pipe cleaners are good for this.
Not sure where the oil feed is on the v6 but on the v8 its a single 3 to 4 mm diameter feed to each cylinder head - it wouldn't take much crap in there to restrict or block it completely.

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Saturday 20th October 2012
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Ok so more confusing than ever now, conflicts with much of the good advice on here.
Engine number on mine
SA9DSN2****192** not the BR or B4 so not sierra or granada? Several numbers blotted for security.
An LL code, which according to Ford is 1990 manufacture which fits, and all points to the numbering means it is not hydraulic.
Which from all the info is the safest assumption. Set with the non hydraulic measurements as with the rocker covers off, there is play in most of the rockers not actually pushing a valve,,which would be wrong if it were hydraulic followers.
so going for it.

S2Mike

Original Poster:

3,065 posts

151 months

Sunday 21st October 2012
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I may be talking to myself here, as its been so long getting round to doing the job.
The S is like a new car, no clatter, smooth roar, and you can hear the air being sucked into the injection system, just before the exhaust roars and the tyres squeal.
I had to go on a 50 mile road test to be sure.
Manual not hydraulic tappets, and they were a long way out of settings.
While the alternator was off, I refurbed the bracket, with a little high temp red paint, could be the start of a lot of tidying under the bonnet.
Very very happy, job done, not got any sense from engine numbers though.

Jonno2212

58 posts

142 months

Sunday 21st October 2012
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A Great Job Well Done, A great Roar From The Exhaust Now, Fantastic Fun