Oh no ....

[leszekg]

Started to hear a loud ticking noise coming from the engine rather like tappet noise when cold but a bit louder and continuing after the car's warmed up. Doesn't sound good does it? Any ideas?

Dropped it off at Offords today for investigation. Keeping fingers and just about everything else crossed awaiting an outcome.

[leszekg]

Initial feedback from the garage is that a bolt has come loose (probably from one of the tensioners I'm told) and has been rattling around. Don't yet know what damage has been done. Unfortunately it's an engine out, strip and inspect job.

[LeszekG]

The engine is out and based on what they've see I've been told that I am 'the luckiest man alive'. One of the tensioner bolts came free - the noise was from one of the guides as a result of the bolt coming out. The bolt, I'm told, perched itself on a ledge and somehow avoided dropping anywhere where it would otherwise have caused untold damage. There is a washer loose somewhere which has probably ended up in the sump and needs retrieving, but otherwise the loose washer has caused very little damage. Still expecting a big bill, but providing they don't come across any other problems it could have been a lot worse.