Ticking/Clicking sound

[sumov8]

Good morning,

My RV8 3.5 has been running fine and has now done about 300 miles since rebuild. I was driving around and pulled up at a junction when the engine started clicking/ticking. It sounded like the old mini 1000 when the tappets needed adjusting. There was no loss in power, oil pressure is good (36 psi), no leaks.

When I got home removed rocker covers to check for broken rocker arms or anything loose. Nothing was found. What grade oil should I be using.

Can anybody help, any suggestions welcome.

Regards

Stuart

[RichardG]

Stuart,

Might be you have a sticky follower? From memory you need to use an "older" oil something like a 20W/50. Rimmerbros also stock a castrol running in oil.

Good luck

[Purple AK]

Stuart.

Sure you hav'nt got a header bolt come loose? Will give a very similar sound to a tappet. Just a thought.
Cheers

[sumov8]

Morning,

Thanks for the replies. I dropped the oil and changed the filter. Managed to get some 20/50 oil, only just ! Went for a spin and opened her up. I think that it has stopped or reduced the noise. I also nipped up the NS exhaust down pipe which was blowing.

I did check the rock arm bolts the other day and they were all tight.

Regards

Stuart

[The Pretender]

Stuart,

I have just finished the cars 1st long run and have EXACTLY the same symptons as you have described

What was the final analysis?

I have been advised to give engine a good flush, then replace with 20W50 - currantly using 10W40 with can of wynn's added as oil light was coming on at tick over after a good thrash

This is because noise is probably related to lifter's not filling with oil quick enought - leaving to large a gap (the ticking) at top of engine Anyone any thoughts?

Oil ways possibly full of crud! - Engine was lifted straight from SD1 and has not had any work done on it, except new cam (20k previous) and Weber 500 and new Ignition fitted.

Any help really appreciated on this

Mike

[kdavies3]

Hi Mike it sounds like you need some valvloline Racing 20/50. it will give much better pressure when hot.
Did you rebuild the engine before fitting it?
Did you fing the rattle you had on Sunday?

[The Pretender]

Hi Kev,

No I did not rebuild the engine - a possible winter job, but was sold it in running order with the highest!! assurance that it was in A1 condition - from a club member

The rattle may of been the 1st signs of this problem yesterday, and certainly after opening her up over the 7 bridge and onward up M4 a few miles home, this noise developed quite badly.

Mike

ps. Fantastic organised run yesterday Kev - Well done!!

[kdavies3]

Thanks for that Mike, I'll have to find some new valleys for next time.

I think the 20/50 will help, are running an oil cooler?
that again might help but if the problem is bottom end then it may be an engine rebuild with new shells etc.

[The Pretender]

Have just started her up again this evening, and still very noisy - even when cold

The noise is definetely top end

Any further thought's anyone???

mike

[kdavies3]

Without hearing the noise it's difficult to say.
If it's big ends you may be able to change the shells without removing the engine.
Does the Sumo chassis allow you to remove the sump with the engine in?
A horrible messy job but do-able.
Does the noise sound like it's top or bottom?
If you rev the engine can you feel any vibration through the clutch pedal? only with a hydraulic clutch.