Ticking After Cold Start

[Vmax500]

My Chimaera 500 has taken to making quite a noticeable 'ticking' sound for the first couple of minutes after a cold start. After this time the noise then stops completely. The car has done 7800 miles. It had its first manifold gasket changed at 2000 miles, the other at 4000 miles. Both of these were before I owned the car so I have never actually heard a blowing exhaust manifold myself and am unsure as to whether that is what I am hearing now? It sounds more like a mechanical 'tick' rather than a 'chuff' though. I have checked the manifold bolts for tightness, and cleaned the drive belt grooves (another popular source for strange noises so I have read on this site), neither of which has reduced the noise. Has anyone got any other suggestions as to what I should check? Thanks. Edited by Vmax500 on Monday 1st October 19:50

[trefor]

The noise made by a leaking exhaust manifold gasket is a loud ticking noise - sounds like something very wrong with the engine to the untrained ear. This might be your problem - on the other hand you may have another problem. Any TVR specialist will know within 2 seconds flat if the gaskets are at fault or if the noise warrants further investigation.

[macca]

Get a block of wood (2x2) with a bit of length in it and put one end to various places around the engine; alternator, water pump, rocker cover, etc... With the other end to your ear it acts like a stethoscope and you may be able to localise the noise.

[apache]

the tappets have hydraulic lifters which are prone to sticking, they free up once the oil warms a little so it could be that