[Volxstu]

Hey all.
I’m not a mechanic, nor very good with engines so please take any terminology I use with a pinch of salt.
I have an intermittent tappet/cam type sound that seems to come from the OS of the engine when in the car.
I did do a search but most threads are quite old so was wondering if there are any known issues to explore?
Secondly is there a recommended indi specialist around the North Kent area as the car is very much a project so I will need to get acquainted.

 

[Chris T]

Welcome

The off side of the engine is the side with the belts, alternator and water pump and the sound you are hearing could be any of these. Does the car have a service history, can you tell when the belts and water pump were last changed?

I would start by taking the inspection cover and run the engine with the cover removed to see if you tell where the sound it is coming from. With the engine switched off check the state of the alternator belt.

 

[IanMc]

Has the car been standing for a long period of time?

If so, it might be that the engine needs to be fully warmed up to allow all of the hydraulic tappets to fill with oil and start to function fully again.

 

[Volxstu]

It was stood still before I bought it but I have added a good 200 miles. It was supposedly serviced before I bought it but I will check the oil level given the noise.
That said, I know I have bought a project. I will sort car park dinks & polishing.
I want to do as much as I can myself but I think the geometry needs sorting (it feels like it’s ice skating over 80), the underside needs flappy paddling & stone chipping (that’s for me). Any engine issues I am inclined to get it stripped and restored if the price is right.

 

[Hackscooby]

out of interest where in north kent are you? there are plenty of local clubs that are free to join and full of members who will be local and can advise as well as this forum.

also you say you added 200 miles , is the noise louder when first started, i assume its all the time so not just moving?

 

[Volxstu]

I’m in Gravesend.

Yeah, it’s from start up, but intermittently comes & go’s and is fairly consistent in volume.

Thanks

Stu

 

[Hobby]

I’m in Gravesend.

Yeah, it’s from start up, but intermittently comes & go’s and is fairly consistent in volume.

Thanks

Stu

Sounds like water pump to me they don't last long. I had that noise and thought it was the alternator and even thought it was the camshaft but it turned out to be the water pump.

 

[Austin2297]

If you don‘t have evidence of when the cambelt, water pump and alternator belts were last changed, then it’s time to get them changed, irrespective of whether the noise emanates from there or not.
The fact that this car had stood still (for some time ?) before you bought it, would certainly discourage me from driving it at over 80 mph - with unknown tyre conditions - and pressures? In fact, most things would discourage me from driving one of these at over 80 mph even when all is known to be as good as it should be!
Kind regards,
Austin.

 

[IanMc]

Let’s not get too carried away here, but instead start with basics.

You should try to identify the area the noise is coming from first. This shouldn’t be toodifficult if you use a long screwdriver held to your ear and then touching it against various areas, whilst being VERY careful of any moving parts of course!

To help, in a couple of ways, you could remove the alternator drive belt.

Once you think you have narrowed down the area, report back and we will go from there 👍