Expensive rattle??

[derekg500]

While out at the weekend I noticed a rattle coming from the engine bay, sounds like it's coming from underneath one of the rocker covers and gets quicker with engine speed not road speed. No loss of power, although i did limp home at a rather sedate pace. Can I sleep well tonight or should I prepare for a raid on the piggy bank?
Incidently, the car has been booked in for a look, just looking for idea's as to what it might be.

Cheers

Derek

[TVR Beaver]

Rocker pad may be?... if so, not a lot of dosh to fix assuming the pad itself has not done anything silly!..

[5.0ltr]

My `expensive` cam noise was exhaust gasket tapping, hope yours is as simple, and cheap!

[Bodmin]

Del

You should be able to trace the noise a bit better by using a long handled screwdriver like a stethascope...make sure you don't touch a plug lead though

Apart from a pad or manifold gasket which have been mentioned it might be a blocked/jammed hydraulic lifter

Bodders

[Hoover.]

my expensive engine noise was pistons knackered by detonation.......

the car was pinking when I brought in 5 years ago (20k) which I had rectified.... however looks like the damage was done then, i just pushed it a bit further to the end.

[derekg500]

Cheers guys, the rattle is definately top end rather than bottom, so hoping for a relatively in-expensive repair.
Thanks for the help.

Derek