engine noise

[clarky5150]

After having a good blow out on the by-pass i noticed my 4.3 Griff engine was suddenly VERY rattly.
At tickover and up to 2000revs its as normal and then a clattery noise appears. It seems to be a top end noise and has a clack-clack noise (cant think how else to describe it) similar to hydraulic tappets when the car has been stood for a few weeks. The noise is sometimes louder than others but constant. Oil level is good and before the 2 mile blast it sounded A.O.K.
I know these engines have a cam wear issue but believe mine was replaced a few thousand miles ago. I run synth oil and the cam is a high lift variant. Any ideas guys?

[Apache]

clarky5150 said:

After having a good blow out on the by-pass i noticed my 4.3 Griff engine was suddenly VERY rattly. At tickover and up to 2000revs its as normal and then a clattery noise appears. It seems to be a top end noise and has a clack-clack noise (cant think how else to describe it) similar to hydraulic tappets when the car has been stood for a few weeks. The noise is sometimes louder than others but constant. Oil level is good and before the 2 mile blast it sounded A.O.K. I know these engines have a cam wear issue but believe mine was replaced a few thousand miles ago. I run synth oil and the cam is a high lift variant. Any ideas guys?

have you had solid lifters installed too?

[clarky5150]

dont know, previous,previous owners doing.

[tonyrec]

Exhaust Manifold Gaskets??

Had mine replaced recently and i was convinced, along with most other people that it was a Camshaft related problem.

[chimburt]

gaskets were the culprit on mine as well, some time ago now, and now they are noisy again. boo.

still, better than a cam or tappets

[GreenV8S]

Hopefully just an exhaust gasket as others have said, but on the off-chance you lost a valve spring or something I'd get it looked at as soon as possible, if you do have to drive it keep the revs well down until you can get it looked at.

[bilton_d]

what oil are you using? most dealers now use the Mobil 1 Motorsport which is 15w50 instead of 0w40 if the oil gets very hot it thins right down so if you are using 0w40 this could be the cause.

[clarky5150]

The oil is 10W40 synth. I am happy (if thats the right phrase) that it isnt exhaust gaskets due to the engine sounding great till 2000rpm and the noise is to 'solid' and not 'ticky' like a blown gasket. It appears to be in the top part of the engine.

[chibbard]

My 500 griff developed a similar problem. Have you checked the oil pick-up in the sump for loose or missing bolts (speaking from experience).

[clarky5150]

The people in the know (hope they are they charge enough) have confirmed its something internal. Could be a) Broken cam follower/cam b)Rocker or shaft c)valve spring. Bugger. Anyone had any of the above sorted. How much and how difficult?? Thanks.

[clarky5150]

One knackered cam and several dished followers now replaced with a stick with proper nobbles and a full set of lifters. Car should be even quicker now due to my new lightweight wallet! Thanks again for the techie help Joolz.