A very worrying tapping...
A very worrying tapping...
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Discussion

WazzaL

Original Poster:

960 posts

240 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
quotequote all
Took the car out the other day for just a general drive around.

After quite a while, I decided to press the throttle on a dual carriageway, hard, but certainly not about 6,000rpm.

After about half mile or so, I slowed for a roundabout and heard a rather rapid tapping noise from the engine varying in speed with the revs.

Ok, Not using car atm as want to get this sorted.

Any suggestions on what is causing this?

Been an annoying couple of months. But hopefuly will get the few problems sorted soon and I'll be happily enjoying her again soon.


Edited to add, the tapping noise disappears again after about 5 mins more casual driving

Edited by WazzaL on Tuesday 5th February 13:49

Bunglist

545 posts

261 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
quotequote all
Mine is doing the same thing at the moment, but i think it is the manifold gasket that has gone, this makes a nasty ticking noise when it has gone.

SO probably not to serious.

But i would get it checked out anyway to be sure.

Meatball

1,638 posts

241 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
quotequote all
WazzaL said:
Took the car out the other day for just a general drive around.

After quite a while, I decided to press the throttle on a dual carriageway, hard, but certainly not about 6,000rpm.

After about half mile or so, I slowed for a roundabout and heard a rather rapid tapping noise from the engine varying in speed with the revs.

Ok, Not using car atm as want to get this sorted.

Any suggestions on what is causing this?

Been an annoying couple of months. But hopefuly will get the few problems sorted soon and I'll be happily enjoying her again soon.
The easy way of finding out if your manifold is blowing is stick the car in 5th at about 30 mph and put your foot to the floor. If you have a leak the tapping will get louder.

blueyonder

1,779 posts

241 months

Tuesday 5th February 2008
quotequote all
Mine does that too, but comes and goes...Levens reckoned that it was probably a sticky hydraulic lifter after they inspected it for me a year ago. Am going to get it checked out again at the 6k service which is due now. Have heard that if it's the exhaust manifold then the ticking is usually permanent so I know it's not that.

I'll post again once I get the verdict.

Uncle Fester

3,114 posts

239 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
quotequote all
The fact it comes after a hard drive and goes after more gentle running could be a heat issue.
Working the engine hard creates more heat. Something heats up enough to the point it can cause detonation.
Is the noise anything like pinking?
After a time driving gently it cools down enough for this to stop happening.

AAAndy

764 posts

283 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
quotequote all
Initally I would have said exhaust gasket as that can cause a very worrying tappety noise which increases under load and with engine speed. But if it comes and goes them I doubt if this is the cause.

Interesting what Uncle fester said about pinking and detonation. If it is this then it would be interesting to see if a higher octane fuel changes things. Some engines are known to pink a bit on 95 octane but be better on fuels like V Power 99 octane.

Fire99

9,868 posts

260 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
quotequote all
Firstly double check your oil level.. Could be a pressure issue as the oil heats and then thins.. (dont trust the guages)
It could be a sticking hydraulic tappett that gets worse as the engine gets hot..
It could also be a very slight leak in the manifold gasket. I thought i had a tappett issue on an old BMW and it was the manifold gasket. Yes normally i would say it would be constant but since different parts of the engine / exhaust will expand and contract at different rates due to heat causing a slight leak so it could still be an issue.

If in doubt get it checked out by a garage you trust. To the trained ear they should be able to diagnose the issue pretty quick. thats my 5p worth

WazzaL

Original Poster:

960 posts

240 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
quotequote all
Thank you all.

Sounds like its a sticky lifter. But will at some stage soon head on down to a garage. - Can these be fixed easily?

Will double check the oil, but this should be ok!!

Slacey

1,113 posts

245 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
quotequote all
WazzaL said:
Thank you all.

Sounds like its a sticky lifter. But will at some stage soon head on down to a garage. - Can these be fixed easily?

Will double check the oil, but this should be ok!!
I've been told it's not an easy fix as there is a lot of dismantling involved. I too have the same problem but have been told not to worry too much and that the car won't blow itself up with that as the cause. Anyone know more?

WazzaL

Original Poster:

960 posts

240 months

Wednesday 6th February 2008
quotequote all
My worry is that it is happening quicker and quicker.

Only half a mile of harder acceleration till I get the ticking!

Is that usual for those who are experiencing this?

Andychim400

157 posts

258 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
Mine ticks a bit and has done for 3 years. The opinion of both a very well respected TVR dealer in the N.E and a local Aston Martin indy was

'Yes it's ticking. Some do, some a lot more than others. Nothing major probably just a sticky lifter, unlikely to blow up. Just drive it, it's the other end you should listen to smile '

Slacey

1,113 posts

245 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
Andychim400 said:
Mine ticks a bit and has done for 3 years. The opinion of both a very well respected TVR dealer in the N.E and a local Aston Martin indy was

'Yes it's ticking. Some do, some a lot more than others. Nothing major probably just a sticky lifter, unlikely to blow up. Just drive it, it's the other end you should listen to smile '
As I said above, this is what I was told. The engine was rebuilt about three years ago (before I had it) so I'm not too worried.

rev-erend

21,624 posts

315 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
I wound get it checked out quickly..

The RV8 does have liners (pistons run in these) and they have been knows to move .. a slight tapping that gets worse.

Result is one scrapped engine block.

Sorry to scare but it does happen.

Fire99

9,868 posts

260 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
I wound get it checked out quickly..

The RV8 does have liners (pistons run in these) and they have been knows to move .. a slight tapping that gets worse.

Result is one scrapped engine block.

Sorry to scare but it does happen.
I'd 2nd this... I'd rather go get the car checked out and they confirm its nothing to worry about than to take a chance and end up with expensive damage..
I've done both in my time.... and the latter is very sobering..

StardustV8

128 posts

242 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
I'd remove the rocker covers and check the valve gear etc.

As mentioned a moving liner will lead to eventual distruction.

A good mech will put a stethoscope to the running engine to try and pinpoint the origin of the noise

pkitchen

1,747 posts

240 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
Mine had the 'noisy tappets' problem and it turned out to be the hydraulic lifters. Now sorted and sweet as a nut.

Mattcar

22 posts

242 months

Thursday 7th February 2008
quotequote all
Mine had a tapping noise (sounded like a tractor). Got worse and worse. Turned out to be exhuast manifold gaskets. Had it fixed by Leven when it when in for a service. Fixed and sounding much smoother. ( Missed that sweet sound for a while )

biggiles

2,178 posts

256 months

Friday 8th February 2008
quotequote all
Mine had a tapping noise which was actually sparks shorting on the exhaust.

Worth opening the bonnet in the dark to check.