tappety-sounding engines?
Discussion
hi, new member & been on a tuscan hunt for a few weeks now and was wondering if someone could help me out with a query?
Had a test drive in a beautiful purple flip 2001 car, was completely blown away not only by the power/sound/looks etc but also the build quality (don't laugh - there were no sqeaks/rattles and it was all solid) and how easy it was to drive.
The question is - I noticed (with the roof off) that when backing off the gas & with the engine sort-of ticking over it was making a really tappety sound, a sort of tictictictictic & as I've only test driven the one I'm not sure if it's a normal sound or could be an early indication of a potential wallet-emptying situation.
The car was a 1 owner, FTVRSH, all documented.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, cheers
Had a test drive in a beautiful purple flip 2001 car, was completely blown away not only by the power/sound/looks etc but also the build quality (don't laugh - there were no sqeaks/rattles and it was all solid) and how easy it was to drive.
The question is - I noticed (with the roof off) that when backing off the gas & with the engine sort-of ticking over it was making a really tappety sound, a sort of tictictictictic & as I've only test driven the one I'm not sure if it's a normal sound or could be an early indication of a potential wallet-emptying situation.
The car was a 1 owner, FTVRSH, all documented.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, cheers
I've just bought a 2003 3.6 and every car I test drove was very tappety by "normal car" standards.
It shouldn't sound like there's gravel in the engine, but it will be much more metallic sounding than you're expecting. Drive a few then you'll get a feel for what's normal, and what could indicate tappets in need of adjustment or worse.
Pete
It shouldn't sound like there's gravel in the engine, but it will be much more metallic sounding than you're expecting. Drive a few then you'll get a feel for what's normal, and what could indicate tappets in need of adjustment or worse.
Pete
When you stop hearing the tappety noise, be worried! Currently, mine's about as good as an engine's going to get (very recent rebuild, uprated throttle bodies/ecu/etc. warmed up properly, used daily, etc)... and whilst there's a nice reassuring Honda-like whine beneath it all that there wasn't prior to the rebuild, the tac-a-tac-a-tac-a-tac-a-tac-a-tac coming from under the bonnet is still very noticeable.
Has the car you're looking at had a rebuild in the last year or so? Or ever? Finger follower issues can sneak up particularly quickly. And check for whitey/blue smoke (oil) from the exhausts on start-up for valve guide wear.
Has the car you're looking at had a rebuild in the last year or so? Or ever? Finger follower issues can sneak up particularly quickly. And check for whitey/blue smoke (oil) from the exhausts on start-up for valve guide wear.
cheers for the responses guys
as far as I know the the car hadn't been back for an upgrade and had average miles on it. It wasn't a gravelly sound by any means, just a tappetty noise which I spose will be more noticeable when you've only got a layer of fibreglass between you and a 350 brake engine!
Is there a way I can check for these "finger-follower" issues or would I need to get a prospective car checked over by a specialist?
Bearing in mind I'm looking at buying an early tuscan is it imperative that the engine has had the necessary upgrades & if so will it be documented in the history?
cheers
as far as I know the the car hadn't been back for an upgrade and had average miles on it. It wasn't a gravelly sound by any means, just a tappetty noise which I spose will be more noticeable when you've only got a layer of fibreglass between you and a 350 brake engine!
Is there a way I can check for these "finger-follower" issues or would I need to get a prospective car checked over by a specialist?
Bearing in mind I'm looking at buying an early tuscan is it imperative that the engine has had the necessary upgrades & if so will it be documented in the history?
cheers
pabs02 said:
Is there a way I can check for these "finger-follower" issues or would I need to get a prospective car checked over by a specialist?
Bearing in mind I'm looking at buying an early tuscan is it imperative that the engine has had the necessary upgrades & if so will it be documented in the history?
TVR keep a history of all cars that've had rebuilds, so getting the dealer (assuming it is from a dealer, or yourself if not) to ring Blackpool up should get you any info on that. Personally, I wouldn't buy a 2000-2001 (or possibly even a 2002) car that hadn't had a rebuild in the last year-and-a-bit unless:
1. The price included a serious discount for the risk being taken. Or...
2. It was from a dealer/indy that would give me a full engine warranty in writing
ok, cheers. Had my eye on a redrose that needed a rebuild but had a seriously discounted price. unfortunately was too slow on the uptake and it's now been sold but never mind I'm sure there'll be another one along.
Cheers for the help, could really do with getting a buying guide from somewhere I spose
pabs
Cheers for the help, could really do with getting a buying guide from somewhere I spose
pabs
Is the noise from the valvetrain due to solid lifters?
The hydraulic lifters on previous/current cars of mine (sadly not TVRs!) tick when the engine/oil is cold, so if they're solid on the S6 is it right to expect the tick to be permanent?
>> Edited by MarkoTVR on Thursday 10th February 17:44
The hydraulic lifters on previous/current cars of mine (sadly not TVRs!) tick when the engine/oil is cold, so if they're solid on the S6 is it right to expect the tick to be permanent?
>> Edited by MarkoTVR on Thursday 10th February 17:44
Hello everyone!
How's it going over there!?!!!!!
Took the Tuscan to Tignes Le Lac for skiing over the easter w/e and have noticed it's developed a bit of a tappety noise ever since. Idling at 5-600 rpm as well now.
Am assuming that it's eaten another spak plug, like a year ago and just needs tappets adjusted. How much does this cost normally and does anyone know what's involved (to set myself up not to get ripped off before I go to the garage in Geneva!
Cheers!
How's it going over there!?!!!!!
Took the Tuscan to Tignes Le Lac for skiing over the easter w/e and have noticed it's developed a bit of a tappety noise ever since. Idling at 5-600 rpm as well now.
Am assuming that it's eaten another spak plug, like a year ago and just needs tappets adjusted. How much does this cost normally and does anyone know what's involved (to set myself up not to get ripped off before I go to the garage in Geneva!
Cheers!
mmm...hard to describe...but valvetrain noise from ALL the valves etc is normal, and far more pronounced than in a 'normal' car engine. When ours had the followers go there were 2 followers that had gone and you could hear these REAL loud over the rest of the mechanical noise of the engine - kind of like a sticky follower sound you get on a K series (speaking from what my Elise has been like in the past!)
...so if its just an overall mechanical sound then its fine...but loud tapping or knocking on top of that = bad !
...so if its just an overall mechanical sound then its fine...but loud tapping or knocking on top of that = bad !
Avalanche said:
Hello everyone!
How's it going over there!?!!!!!
Took the Tuscan to Tignes Le Lac for skiing over the easter w/e and have noticed it's developed a bit of a tappety noise ever since. Idling at 5-600 rpm as well now.
Am assuming that it's eaten another spak plug, like a year ago and just needs tappets adjusted. How much does this cost normally and does anyone know what's involved (to set myself up not to get ripped off before I go to the garage in Geneva!
Cheers!
Tappet adjustment is usually about £250 (from the likes of TVR Power, Central TVR, etc.)
Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff