2.9 S2 tappet noise

[alistair.i]

One of the tappets on my S2 has begun to rattle. The noise came on suddenly over a couple of miles of hard driving - not gradually - making me think the problem might be more complex than valve clearances.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Is it possible for tappets to go out that quickly or does it suggest something worse?

Thanks

[tvrgit]

check very carefully for a cracked exhaust manifold... it sounds very similar

[alistair.i]

Thanks for the advice; I'll have a good look at the manifold.

[tvrgit]

alistair.i said:

Thanks for the advice; I'll have a good look at the manifold.

have a look but also try to feel around it for any air blowing after you first start it up, before the exhaust gets too hot. Start with the suspect cylinder and then the one(s) next to it. You'll probably still burn yourself but not as badly!

You could also try taking off the plug leads one at a time and see if one of them makes the noise stop - if so that's the exhaust tube to be looking closest at.

[alistair.i]

Did as you sugested: Looked for blowing air (couldn't find any) and disconecting the HT leads in turn (made no difference)- so back to the tappets!

[tvrgit]

alistair.i said:

Did as you sugested: Looked for blowing air (couldn't find any) and disconecting the HT leads in turn (made no difference)- so back to the tappets!

As you said, it's unlikely that a tappet would suddenly loosen like that. Perhaps a cam follower has partially stuck? Maybe a valve is sticking? It's hard to say without hearing the noise - is it at engine speed or half-engine speed?

You might get a better idea where it's coming from if you have a stethoscope to listen to different bits - you could also use a bit of wood like a broom handle against your ear and press it against the engine to listen for this noise.

[alistair.i]

Had the rocker covers off and reset the tappets - the forward most tappet on the left hand side had a lot of play in it and adjustment has got rid of the noise.

I'm still a little concerned that something else is going on - could play in the big end bearing cause the same symptom? - could I have damaged a cam or follower?

Thanks for all the advice so far!

[Rockey]

alistair.i said:

I'm still a little concerned that something else is going on - could play in the big end bearing cause the same symptom? - could I have damaged a cam or follower?

Thanks for all the advice so far!

If there is now no noise just enjoy it, Bearing failure is a different noise altogether and I'd doubt very much anything has been damaged by a 'loose' rocker arm, as long as you've adjusted it correctly and locked it all should be fine.

Edited by Rockey on Monday 26th February 14:55

[tvrgit]

Rockey said:

alistair.i said:

I'm still a little concerned that something else is going on - could play in the big end bearing cause the same symptom? - could I have damaged a cam or follower?

Thanks for all the advice so far!

If there is now no noise just enjoy it, Bearing failure is a different noise altogether and I'd doubt very much anything has been damaged by a 'loose' rocker arm, as long as you've adjusted it correctly and locked it all should be fine.

Edited by Rockey on Monday 26th February 14:55

Agree with this - if it was a big end then it's a different noise altogether.

If you HAD damaged a cam lobe or follower as I suggested then adjustment would be unlikely to fix it.

It sounds as if you've sorted it, wait and see what happens. And relax, don't worry about it!