Is my engine knackered?

[mrpenks]

Hi!

I bought a speed 6 cerebra yesterday and drive it about 200 miles home

Drove perfectly right up to the last 60 or so miles when it started to sound very rattly at the top end (like an old Ford needing the valve clearances doing).

I pulled over, topped up and it seemed to quieten down. Started this morning, topped up oil correctly and sadly there’s a top end rattle again and low oil pressure (19psi) once warm.

It has a lump of service history, has had a rebuild back in 2011 and still drives fine. I’m wondering if it is a symptom of clearances (not been done for 4 years / 3000 miles ago) or more likely something worse…?

I’m based in South Wales so any help would be really appreciated.

[mk1fan]

Do you know when the last 'full' top end service was done? May just need new shims - although the oil pressure isn't great.

[mrpenks]

2016, so probably does need doing. I’ve changed oil with 15w40 today and its starting to sound better.

[robsco]

Is that low oil pressure when warm at idle or on the move?

[swanseaboydan]

Hi there, a couple of guys at the lisvane car meet in Cardiff are clued up about TVR s - the next meet is first Wednesday of the month - th we have a face book group - lisvane car meet I think - have a look

[mrpenks]

robsco said:

Is that low oil pressure when warm at idle or on the move?

Just when idle. I’m concerned I may have had a combination of oil to thin, and not enough of it…!

[mrpenks]

swanseaboydan said:

Hi there, a couple of guys at the lisvane car meet in Cardiff are clued up about TVR s - the next meet is first Wednesday of the month - th we have a face book group - lisvane car meet I think - have a look

Thanks, I’ll Google it and try and find out more

[TVR Tommy]

The speed 6 doesn’t have great oil pressure at idle. 19psi is not bad

[robsco]

mrpenks said:

robsco said:

Is that low oil pressure when warm at idle or on the move?

Just when idle. I’m concerned I may have had a combination of oil to thin, and not enough of it…!

I’d still be getting that top end checked over, but 19psi at hot idle is perfectly fine for a Speed Six. I’ve had a few extremely healthy Speed Sixes running at sub 10psi hot idle. As low as 4psi in traffic in a hot southern France.