Simple question on 12k service tappet adjustment needs

[TimJM]

Are there any tell-tale signs your Cerbera is in need of tappet adjustment or is it just something to have done every year regardless?

When I had my last 4.5 Cerbera I had this done each year regardless but - looking back the car drove superbly before the service and just as superbly after the service. Was the tappet adjustment always necessary? I couldn't have told the difference pre/post service in the cars driving/engine noise.

[sonnylad]

TimJM said:

I couldn't have told the difference pre/post service in the cars driving/engine noise.

Same here always paid for it to be done, then one day a lobe fell off the cam just a few months after paying out again for it. Turned out it had never been done.

[Cerbieherts]

sonnylad said:

Same here always paid for it to be done, then one day a lobe fell off the cam just a few months after paying out again for it. Turned out it had never been done.

Wow. That's disgusting!!!!!

[TimJM]

sonnylad said:

Same here always paid for it to be done, then one day a lobe fell off the cam just a few months after paying out again for it. Turned out it had never been done.

I would have though that would be at least a case for the small claims court if you could prove it hadn't been done and had a paid invoice stating a garage claimed to have done it.

I am not trying to start a thread examining the dubious character of certain TVR specialists, I am more interested in advice like "Oh you can tell they are due because the car does this...or that...". I guess what I am looking for is any easy to spot indicators that the tappet adjustment is due or can you assume that if the engine sounds OK and pulls hard without flat spots that is isn't required?

[spongy]

just had mine done and a fair few were tight....engine has always run great and still does so you wont notice any change but it is worth getting em done.

[Bigadz]

I did notice when mine were done and it was in need of it.
Ran much smoother low down, for example at 50mph in 5th it was unhappy and rough before, whereas after its smooth and fine even down at 40.

[esso]

Should be done every 12k or two years,they can tighten up as well as get loose so you cannot tell if they need doing until they are checked.

[jamieduff1981]

Likewise mine is just back from a 12k and they needed done, but I can't tell any difference behind the wheel. (Actually it feels slower but 2 of my HT leads fell apart when removed and are bodged back together until the new set arrives in the post so I'm not suspecting the valve clearances)

IMO it's best to just get them done when needed, although I'd do them on milage rather than year personally.

[jackwibble]

It's the inlet valves that tighten due to the waisted valve stem stretching over time, my 4.5 was running like a dream but when the clearances were checked all the inlets had closed up, when the even bank cam came out it revealed this....


A reputable dealer had adjusted them 10,000 miles before for the previous owner...... Moral of the story try and find someone who fully checks everything, my car was running absolutely fine no sign of damage.

[Gazzab]

"Reputable"

[deeen]

I believe some places will check them included as part of the 12k, then charge the extra time if they find they need adjusting, seems fair?

[Gazzab]

But not when they haven't checked them...

[ukkid35]

jackwibble said:

when the even bank cam came out it revealed this....

Trying to understand what happened:

The top hat shim shattered? But the valve stem itself was intact? Remedial work could be done in situ (rather than removing the head)? All it needed was a new shim, and a new follower?

Or, the top hat shim was already too thin, causing it to shatter, and replacing it would have lead to a re-occurrence?

[Walford]

sonnylad said:

Same here always paid for it to be done, then one day a lobe fell off the cam just a few months after paying out again for it. Turned out it had never been done.

People keep going on about cars with full service history, surely this includes what the valve clearance was, and what adjustments were made, on the service,

.

[Cerbieherts]

This is one of the jobs that should have a photographic record provided showing the work undertaken, and a set of figures supplied. I can't believe people are getting away with things like this...disgusting.

[TimJM]

I would be relatively confident that all the items on the TVR 12k check-list could be ticked off by myself apart from the wheel geometry check and the tappet adjustment.

Perhaps it would be cheaper if you ask a garage to do only a tappet adjustment to the car and then presumably you could be more confident it was actually done rather than just a checklist tick on a sheet of many checklist ticks. Does anyone know how much this would cost?

[sonnylad]

Walford said:

sonnylad said:

Same here always paid for it to be done, then one day a lobe fell off the cam just a few months after paying out again for it. Turned out it had never been done.

People keep going on about cars with full service history, surely this includes what the valve clearance was, and what adjustments were made, on the service,

.

I have never seen the like before, cost of shims and buckets if needed is all you get, but detailed clearance and adj carried out nio no no.

[Pursyluv]

I was the previous owner of Jackwibble's car and the 2 relevant things that spring to mind are, the 12k service including ancillary items was a LOT of money, about £1,400 if memory serves, BUT it did feel much better than before in all respects and because of this the high service cost was made a little more palatable, still hurt like hell though :-)

[TimJM]

Pursyluv said:

I was the previous owner of Jackwibble's car and the 2 relevant things that spring to mind are, the 12k service including ancillary items was a LOT of money, about £1,400 if memory serves, BUT it did feel much better than before in all respects and because of this the high service cost was made a little more palatable, still hurt like hell though :-)

This is what got me thinking - £1,400 for something that I could do mostly myself apart from two items seems a lot. I was looking through my old Cerbera history file and I had several invoices north of 1400 which given a long weekend I may have been able to do myself.

[Walford]

sonnylad said:

Walford said:

sonnylad said:

Same here always paid for it to be done, then one day a lobe fell off the cam just a few months after paying out again for it. Turned out it had never been done.

People keep going on about cars with full service history, surely this includes what the valve clearance was, and what adjustments were made, on the service,

.

I have never seen the like before, cost of shims and buckets if needed is all you get, but detailed clearance and adj carried out nio no no.

Fairly basic stuff, is it the same clearance that was adjusted on the last service ???????

If so how much which way, if you dont keep this info you dont know if it is normal wear

.