Loud tapping noise?
Loud tapping noise?
Author
Discussion

Del Boy

Original Poster:

69 posts

264 months

Monday 3rd January 2005
quotequote all
I know very little about engines, so please forgive the crude descriptions.

I have a Tuscan S registered April 03 with approx. 15K miles on the clock (had both 6K and 12K services) and to date had no engine problems, other than a water leak and faulty oil pressure reader.

Driving down tyhe A12 New Years Eve and all of a sudden the engine was making a real loud 'tapping' noise, which sounded worse the harder the revs. I was only a few miles from my destination so drove slowly afterwards. The next day I was going to phone the AA but the noise was no longer apparant when I started the car up so I drove home slowly.

Tried to start the car yesterday and no joy, turns over, just will not fire up. Tried again this morning and still no joy. Given up so I do not flatten the battery and just put a call out to the AA. The car is always garaged, so not damp.

Anyone suffered the same noise from the engine? Is this a common problem? Am I in trouble? Could the car not starting yesterday be linked?

I would appreciate any advice.

Del Boy

Original Poster:

69 posts

264 months

Monday 3rd January 2005
quotequote all
Yea, expires in April 2005.

AA have been, will not start at all. They're going to take it on a low-loader to Castles in the week.

Del Boy

Original Poster:

69 posts

264 months

Monday 3rd January 2005
quotequote all
Thanks!

dvpeace

611 posts

256 months

Monday 3rd January 2005
quotequote all
Could be tappets / finger followers. I'm sure youre dealer will sort it.

Tusker

88 posts

256 months

Tuesday 4th January 2005
quotequote all
I had exactly the same sudden loud tappety noise in October on way to local SY TVR meet, car has been at Blackpool ever since, full top-end rebuild. Even though I only drove it the 4 miles home before leaving it in the garage waiting for the collection truck, the dealer will probably tell you that the problem was made worse by you driving it when you knew the engine sounded wrong and you should have stopped right away to call for recovery.

Hope it's not bad news.

albundy

71 posts

262 months

Tuesday 4th January 2005
quotequote all
Does it stop around 3K rpm?

Also is it a tapping or a knocking (tapping is loudish valve type "rattle", knocking is like someone hitting side of engine with a hammer)

J_S_G

6,177 posts

266 months

Wednesday 5th January 2005
quotequote all
albundy said:
knocking is like someone hitting side of engine with a hammer)

"Knocking"? I think you'll find the technical term for the description above is fixing.

Del Boy

Original Poster:

69 posts

264 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
albundy said:
Does it stop around 3K rpm?

Also is it a tapping or a knocking (tapping is loudish valve type "rattle", knocking is like someone hitting side of engine with a hammer)


It was more of a 'tapping' and although I was worried about high revs, on the one occasion I did the car seemed OK over 3K, just making the noise.

The car is going to Castles on Saturday, so I should know early next week if its bad news or not. I could really do without a three month trip to Blackpool!

albundy

71 posts

262 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
The reason for me quizzing was that the tapping was valves and shims/top end etc, the knocking (with symtoms I previously described)was a complete new bottom end. Tapping good, knocking not so great.....
I'm sure yours will be fine.

Tusker

88 posts

256 months

Thursday 6th January 2005
quotequote all
Keep us posted, Del.

Mine's been at the seaside for 9 weeks & 4 days, not that I'm counting.

trig

105 posts

247 months

Thursday 13th January 2005
quotequote all
Del boy,

Any news yet on your engine, I've been looking at getting a Speed 6 for a while and am worried about reliability.

BTW your car is really mean, must have the foxes dripping!

Del Boy

Original Poster:

69 posts

264 months

Saturday 15th January 2005
quotequote all
I think its good news! Apparently not the finger follower problem. The alternator belt was lose so could be an explanation for the noise? I think Castles had a closer look today, so I should have more news on Monday and will post a more detailed reply.

mcspreader

328 posts

277 months

Sunday 16th January 2005
quotequote all
when my car is cold it souns like a cement mixer filed with bricks.
I keep the revs up but not above 2750 'til its warm then smooth as a baby's.

trig

105 posts

247 months

Monday 17th January 2005
quotequote all
so Del sounds like your battery was dead then

mad-dot

341 posts

274 months

Tuesday 18th January 2005
quotequote all
Air con belt split?

Del Boy

Original Poster:

69 posts

264 months

Friday 21st January 2005
quotequote all
trig said:
so Del sounds like your battery was dead then


It was a loose alternator belt making all the noise and batery issues - good news!

chris watton

22,544 posts

276 months

Friday 21st January 2005
quotequote all
Del Boy said:

trig said:
so Del sounds like your battery was dead then



It was a loose alternator belt making all the noise and batery issues - good news!


Phew!!! bet you'll sleep a whole lot better now

trig

105 posts

247 months

Sunday 23rd January 2005
quotequote all
thats good news, I think that the worry over TVR engines is enough to make your hair fall out.