Tappet noise
Tappet noise
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Discussion

toffoboy

Original Poster:

17 posts

275 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
Picked up my 500 at the weekend, all sounded good and it was checked out by Rob Ingleby. Drove the car home, a distance of 300 mile and all seemed OK. Started the car the next morning and noticed that there was what sounds like tappet noise form one of the banks.
The car had been used infrequently for the last 3 years, doing about 3000 miles. I have read in the bible that rust can form on the lifters wearing out the cam. This couldn't happen in 300 miles though could it? Or am i being paranoid seeing as I've just got it?



Still great fun driving the car for the first time doing a 300 mile run - at night.

Needs a service anyway as it hasn't been done for a while.

Any recommendations as to where to go , I live on the South coast.

Thanx in advance

shpub

8,507 posts

301 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
Could be a manifold gasket gone. Makes very similar noise.

TheHobbit

1,189 posts

280 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
toffoboy said:
Any recommendations as to where to go , I live on the South coast.


[predictable answer from me]

Peninsula in Exeter

[/predictable answer]

toffoboy

Original Poster:

17 posts

275 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
shpub said:
Could be a manifold gasket gone. Makes very similar noise.


Is there an easy way for me to find out if its the manifold?

beano500

20,854 posts

304 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
When you get your head under the bonnet you get to realise that what you thought was a rattley-tappety noise (and that's caught me out once or twice) is actually coming from the manifolds, either the gaskets starting on their way out or a bit of the old tin worm attacking the folds. either way quite a typical issue that's easy to sort out (and just annoying as the gaskets go - it gets to be quite loud )

David Batty would be a good recommendation, although he might be a bit of a drive from you. Although, there again, you like 300 mile trips....

smifffy

2,000 posts

295 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
There's a TVR service place at Gatwick, logically "Gatwick TVR".

Don't know if they're any good though but I see their premises on the train in the morning

toffoboy

Original Poster:

17 posts

275 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
Thanks for the ideas everyone, guess i'll be under the bonnet this weekend burning my ear on the manifolds to check them out.

I do hope that's all it is, I can then start really enjoying the car.

2 sheds

2,529 posts

313 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
toffoboy said:

shpub said:
Could be a manifold gasket gone. Makes very similar noise.



Is there an easy way for me to find out if its the manifold?


Yes, it will get much louder under load, when backing off the throttle the noise would reduce, manifold gasket leaks are common and sound metallic

Tim

dannyboyo

2,392 posts

308 months

Friday 11th June 2004
quotequote all
Stick a bit of flexible tubing in your ear and probe around the general manifold area with the other end. Make sure you test inbetween where the 4 pipes join. That's where it's gone on the Chimaera.

You know you've found a leak when you hear it, it's like a loud blowing in your ear!!

Make sure you do it before the manifold gets too hot else you'll end up with sticky melted plastic tubing burning on the manifold. Or just use a bit of metal tubing attached to the plastic tubing to stop the tube melting.

Hope this helps and appologies for a lowly Chim guy posting on the Griff forum!!

toffoboy

Original Poster:

17 posts

275 months

Monday 14th June 2004
quotequote all
Well, had a good listen at the weekend. Can't say I could work out where it was coming from. Sounds like its coming from inlet side of the rocker, in the V. The noise is on the right bank, with the oil filler so I though taking the cap off would make the noise louder if that is where it was coming from, but it made no difference.

Can the injectors make a noise, just seems to be from the top of the engine in the middle of the V?

The noise level seems to be quite constant when blipping the throttle, although its difficult to tell with all the other noises around the engine.

Tried Dannyboyo's method (who cares if you drive a chim, its still a TVR and that's what counts!) but could hear any difference around the manifold in the 30 second you get before the tube melts! Gets hot quick around there.

Its booked in for sevice now, just want to be able to use it before the service as its a 3 week wait.....in this weather....d'oh.

pigpen

262 posts

279 months

Tuesday 15th June 2004
quotequote all
Out of interest have you contacted Rob Ingleby? Wondered what his view was as he checked it over for you.

For general info I replaced my rocker & shaft assemblies after a tappet became noisy when warm but ok when cold - loose steel insert in the ally arm (help from Dom at TVR Power in tracing this). Worth putting all steel rockers in if anyone is thinking of changing them (old advice from shpub & Tim at ACT thanks).

Mike

gazzab

21,627 posts

311 months

Tuesday 15th June 2004
quotequote all
toffoboy said:

Any recommendations as to where to go , I live on the South coast.

Thanx in advance

Andy at APM nr Liphook. Top TVR guy. Best value, best everything.........

wedget

467 posts

268 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
quotequote all
You may have a hairline crack in your manifolds when they heat up they expand closing the crack, easily confused with tappets as they also quiet down with heat, fuel injectors make a hell of a tapping noise also. so it could be nothing, also you said was due a service fresh oil will make an engine much quieter. But of course it could mean a total engine rebil....ever the optomist..

DustyC

12,822 posts

283 months

Thursday 17th June 2004
quotequote all
Andy at APM is a good recommendation (can I get some money off now Andy?!!! )

My tappety noise is a cracked manifold. The noise is louder when cold and sometimes almost non exsistant when warm as someone on here has pointed out.

I was hoping it would just be a gasket problem but Andy found the crack in the manifold.

Edited to add:
APM Automotive, Liphook,
Hampshire, England
Independent TVR specialist ex hawthorns/SHG No 1 technician (Tel: 07740723673)


Liphook Train Station isn't to far away either.

>> Edited by DustyC on Thursday 17th June 14:11