Rattles & clatters from the engine...

[dnb]

Not sounding very serious yet, but the Griff has started to rattle and clatter

It sounds just like noisy tappets sound on the Impreza (when you've put too thin an oil in it ).

The noise seems worse on over-run (says Nic) and is there at all revs.

The fuel economy and power seems to have dropped off very slightly. (1 to 2 mpg on average over a period of a couple of months) The power drop-off may be imagination.

Am I looking at a cam shaft issue?

Are there any tests I should be doing to check for other things being wrong?

[starmist]

How many miles has the cam done?

[jamiet]

Has it recently started drinking more oil recenlty? Higher oil consuption can be a sign that the Cam is on its way out. Best get it to a dealer/specialist asap.

[spend]

Do you have pre-cats, are they in one piece & attached still?

Dave

[GreenV8S]

jamiet said:

Higher oil consuption can be a sign that the Cam is on its way out.

Is it? Not come across that theory before.

[dnb]

It's not using any oil. (A rare thing for one of these cars!) Water is another matter... but then they all do that.

The car engine & ancilliaries are totally standard. It's a 1996 Griff 500 (serp)

The milage on the engine is around 95k. I don't remember seeing new cam on the service history anywhere recently.

[jamiet]

GreenV8S said:

jamiet said: Higher oil consuption can be a sign that the Cam is on its way out. Is it? Not come across that theory before.

Thats what I was told by Peninsula when I had running problems. I was worried that the cam was shot. When I mentioned it they asked if it was using a lot of oil as that is an indication that the cam is on its way out. Only going by what I was told.

[stesrg]

High oil consumption? how high is it smoking bad
Worn or scored bores a posibility or if it is an early griff these burn oil because their is no valve seals on the exhaust side.
Ste..

[groucho]

dnb said:

The milage on the engine is around 95k. I don't remember seeing new cam on the service history anywhere recently.

95k Not doing bad in anybodies book then.

[v8 racing]

99% chance it will be the cam, almost un-heard of a tvr engine covering 95k without a cam change must have been well looked after.

[dnb]

Problem solved...

It seems I have been cursed with the spark plug unscrewing demon. One plug was getting ready to drop out. She's all great now. (apart from the suspension bushes)

I've checked the service history, and there is no sign of a cam change! (I have full details of 20k miles to current 95k miles)

Yes, the car is pampered, but is used daily

[kevinday]

dnb said:

Yes, the car is pampered, but is used daily

Good for you, they definitely like being used, and lucky it was just a spark plug. My 350i had nearly 100K on it when I sold it.