revs getting lower

[chimi500]

Over the past couple of weeks ive noticed the idle speed on my car getting lower, it used to idle at 800rpm now its down to 500rpm, i wont idle at all from cold, does this sound like a simple fix or 'speed 6' problems.
thanx

[supergrass]

Tappets. £245.00 + vat. Happy Xmas.

[chimi500]

thanx. that explains the exessive ticking then, glad its nothing else. only done 3000 miles since 12k service.shoould they have not been done then

[joospeed]

.. or if you're already on the smallest shims, head off .. and a merry new year ..

[dreammachines]

Shims don't always have to be done on a 12k service if it hasn't done 12,000 miles!
A rapid increase in the tappety noise could mean worn followers, as they don't take long to wear once they start!
First thing is cam cover off and a good look round....

[joospeed]

Would disagree with you dreammachines .. the valves on the SP6 are notorious for closing up, on the earlier engines (dont know about recent ones) they wouldn't last 6k miles never mind 12k miles without closing up to the point of rough running ..

I would argue they need checking *every* service, and don't forget to do those pesky buggers at the back that many times get *forgotten* about by dealers cos they're a PITA to get to ...

[chimi500]

dreammachines said:

Shims don't always have to be done on a 12k service if it hasn't done 12,000 miles! A rapid increase in the tappety noise could mean worn followers, as they don't take long to wear once they start! First thing is cam cover off and a good look round....

It had its 12000 service at 8200, Will the warrenty i got from the dealer cover worn followers?

[J_S_G]

chimi500 said:

It had its 12000 service at 8200, Will the warrenty i got from the dealer cover worn followers?

Be prepared for the customary: "I'm sorry sir, the warranty policy specifically doesn't cover WEAR and tear". It will depend on the policy, but most probably won't pay out. If the worst happens, I'd add the car to the queue at the factory & shout, repeatedly, at them till you get a satisfactory outcome... That'll be "Happy Easter", then.

When in 2002 was your car made? If it was particularly late in the year, I wouldn't worry too much about it being the followers until someone's taken a look at it.

Oh, and you can tweak the idle speed on the engine to last you until the car gets booked in to be looked at properly. Currently suffering the same following a recent rebuild; tweaked it until I can get it booked in to sort the valve clearances out.

[DREAMMACHINES]

Yesterday (16:29)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would disagree with you dreammachines .. the valves on the SP6 are notorious for closing up, on the earlier engines (dont know about recent ones) they wouldn't last 6k miles never mind 12k miles without closing up to the point of rough running ..


Yes they do close up, but in this case the engine is noisey.

[joospeed]

DREAMMACHINES said:

Yesterday (16:29) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Would disagree with you dreammachines .. the valves on the SP6 are notorious for closing up, on the earlier engines (dont know about recent ones) they wouldn't last 6k miles never mind 12k miles without closing up to the point of rough running .. Yes they do close up, but in this case the engine is noisey.

Indeed it is. The lowering idle speed suggests valves closing up, the noisyness suggests excessive clearance, or wear as you rightly suggest .. the former possibly led to the latter ..? Even more reason to check them as often as practically possible and I would argue that means every service no matter how many miles, and any time in between that you even remotely suspect valve trouble.

I know when I worked at HHC if there was a SP6 that had anything even slightly engine-sinister the cam cover came off and the clearances / cam conditions were checked. it's common sense and also good for customer peace of mind to know you've been in there and pronounced it either good or bad..

[J_S_G]

joospeed said:

I know when I worked at HHC if there was a SP6 that had anything even slightly engine-sinister the cam cover came off and the clearances / cam conditions were checked. it's common sense and also good for customer peace of mind to know you've been in there and pronounced it either good or bad..

Now if only you'd do valve clearances on S6 engines, Joo...