Sewing machine noise

[stuart slater]

Hi - not sure if anyone can advise,

I have just bought a very tidy Y plate Tuscan with 27000 miles, full TVR history but no engine mods/rebuilds. It is immaculate and runs really well but I find the engine noise very un-nerving. It sounds like a very mechanical sewing machine on start up which then turns into a much smoother whirring noise when warm. You can't really hear it with the roof on but it is more obvious with it off. I have not known this noise with any other car I have owned and it is concerning me as to weather to continue driving it. Is this normal? I know these engines are susceptible to failure, is there any way to predict this or any signs to look for and can I take any preventative measures?

[boardinscotland]

Hi

I have an W reg Tuscan and have exactly same noise( 25000 miles on the clock now) especially with the roof off. From everyone I have spoken too this is quite normal with the speed six due to the tappets etc and the general design. I bought mine in december and have done 3500 miles in it. Apart from a slight slave cylinder leak I have had a blast. I have used it almost everyday and never looked back. There is a paranoia with the these cars but what I have found is so far is just use it and enjoy it. Just make sure you service it at a good TVR garage.


Enjoy the car.

Edited by boardinscotland on Thursday 27th March 22:24

Edited by boardinscotland on Thursday 27th March 22:25

[BigJL]

Hey lads,

Yeah, mine makes a similar noise and I know exactly what you mean about the sound when the roof is off. It's normal - just get a louder exhaust so you don't hear it!

[PYNEY]

hi, found with my tamora with the roof off that you hear more engine noise , as the car warms up the engine noises change (tapping) untill the oil temp is above 50 c and then it stays consistent, hope this helps
keith

[jvr]

Yep its normal,i just leave my roof on it sounds better,a bit like a diesel when cold but when the oil gets to about 50-60 degrees it quientens down.Still its always fun going out for a run a listen to a new noise that isn't even there,its called the game of paranoier.

[so called]

A lot of the noise comes from the timing chains. Much noisier than a rubber belt.
Some noise comes from the throttle bodies if there is wear.

I dont worry any more. As said just make sure youre Service includes valve checks etc so that you can be prepared if there is some wear.
Have fun.
Tony

[aus123]

Had a very similar noise in the Tamora at around 25k miles. Had the tappets adjusted and the timing belts (there are 2!) tightened and the noise largely dissappeared. Must admit that it is very easy to become quite paranoid about strange noises coming from the engine bay - all part of the fun of owning a TVR!

[astonman]

If the timing chain is slightly stretched it can contact the inside of the cam cover,it may need adjusting.

[krisles]

On my Tuscan I get the sewing machine noise when the engine is warm. When cold it's fine. So I guess it's a chain and not valve clearance, because normally with valves it is the opposite. Can some one give me a hint or had a similar situation?

[Daston]

apparently a louder tapping from cold is fine and the sewing machine noise means everything is ok. Its the loud or sudden tapping that should cause concerne or any noises that suddenly start

[Tonymg]

Dear Stuart

sorry mate take it from me your tvr needs a full re-build i had what you'v got i had the tvr-power offer at 4500 plus vat in feb and had a new crank at an extra cost of 900 all in just over 6k.

but she has the tvr-power 2 year warranty and it's flipin fab WOW!

hugs Tony....

[BigJL]

Tonymg said:

Dear Stuart

sorry mate take it from me your tvr needs a full re-build i had what you'v got i had the tvr-power offer at 4500 plus vat in feb and had a new crank at an extra cost of 900 all in just over 6k.

but she has the tvr-power 2 year warranty and it's flipin fab WOW!

hugs Tony....

Hold up there, Skippy. I wouldn't go dusting the credit card off just yet. I very much doubt you need a full rebuild. As others on the thread have said, the sewing machine noise is perfectly fine. If you're worried though it'd be best to take it to your nearest dealer for a quick checkup.

[Daston]

BigJL said:

Hold up there, Skippy. I wouldn't go dusting the credit card off just yet. I very much doubt you need a full rebuild. As others on the thread have said, the sewing machine noise is perfectly fine. If you're worried though it'd be best to take it to your nearest dealer for a quick checkup.

Exactly that! I had Rob Ingleby inspect my car before purchasing and he said the engine sound just like it should do. As he has been looking at TVR's for lots of people for over 8 years I think I may take his word for it. However she has just gone over 22k miles and is due a service in September so may get the tappets checked just for peace of mind.

[KillerJim]

Just to throw my 6pence in..

My Sagaris starts without a sewing machine noise but after about 5 seconds I hear that noise which isn`t audiable below about 1500rpm therefore as I drive below 2500rpm when cold its not an issue.

When its warm I hear nothing (the more sensitive of hearing will notice the faint sound of tappets even whilst warm)

James

[Daston]

now this could be me being worried about nothing or that i have tempted fate with my earlier post, but today when I put the car in the garage (roof was off) I noticed a metal on metal noise comming from the front that was louser than normal. Now it only happend on idle and would come and go so I dont think its the engine, could this be the flywheel or clutch related?

[pete]

This is another "they're all different" topic, I think.

My 3.6 makes a pronounced thrashing sound above 2500rpm when it's warmed up (the infamous sewing machine) which is really obvious with the roof off. I was originally very worried about it, but the valve clearances are spot on, the timing chain tension has been checked, and there are no tell-tale wear marks on the inside of the timing chain cover. The best advice I had was to learn what your engine sounds like, and listen carefully for any changes - basically keep a healthly level of paranoia!

Pete

[Daston]

Hehe sounds good advice the thing is this noise could have been there all the time but I may have only just noticed it because I had the roof off and was in the garage lol. Going down to Dulford on Friday to get my window looked at so will get the guys to have a listen.

[krisles]

After some time (about 600 miles to be exact) of tolerating the annoying sewing machine noise i decided to take the rocker cover of and take a look at he cams, shims and finger followers. And what I saw wasn't nice at all



Camshaft rocker shows excessive wear. I will check the finger follower today, because yesterday was already late. But if you look at the rocker it is clear that the finger follower would be probably worst. So now I know where all the metal particles on the magnetic plug come from.

So here goes my rebuild account.

Any suggestions about prolonging the agony for another 2000 miles until the october, without extensive/additional engine damage. You know, just not to miss the fun of nice weather, because I'm far from UK (I'm from Slovenia) and i would need to get the engine out of the car and send it to UK for a rebuild. And that will probably some take time.

Edited by krisles on Thursday 24th July 18:47

[krisles]

So I checked the fingerfollower tonight and didn't find any visible wear or damage - hmm strange but good . I've also checked the valve clearance and its fine: 6 thau on the inlet and about 9-11 thau on the outlet. So what to do now. I'll try to polish the rocker, change the oil and filter and drive until the end of the season.

Edited by krisles on Thursday 24th July 21:35

[Daston]

just got back from dulford and was told that mine sounds just like it should do. However was told that I should give it some beans as I am driving like miss daisy (as I have been worried about the noises). Just pray its dry tomorrow