Light tapping noise from engine 2.2K RPM

[MMM]

Guys (hi BTW - I'm new to this forum),
I am well aware that the VANOS typically rattles a bit on the S54 engine between 2.9 & 3.3K RPM, but what about an albeit quite slight tappety noise at around 2.3 - 2.3K RPM both whilst driving on light throttle and at standstill just holding the engine on the throttle?? Being, as I am, quite neurotic about engine noises, I am wondering if all the rest of you guys have noticed any light engine noise (tappet-sounding) at around 2.2 - 2.3K RPM?? If so, did you get it attended to and what was it? Or do you just leave it and live with it adjudging it to be nothing to be overtly concerned about?
Many thanks in advance for any and all answers,
Mike

 

[Jas667]

If you are worried the best bet is to take it to the garage and have it looked at. But pretty much all over the rev-range when accelarating at all there is a light rasp/rattle and it gets louder the harder you push the loud pedal.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Guys (hi BTW - I'm new to this forum),
I am well aware that the VANOS typically rattles a bit on the S54 engine between 2.9 & 3.3K RPM, but what about an albeit quite slight tappety noise at around 2.3 - 2.3K RPM both whilst driving on light throttle and at standstill just holding the engine on the throttle?? Being, as I am, quite neurotic about engine noises, I am wondering if all the rest of you guys have noticed any light engine noise (tappet-sounding) at around 2.2 - 2.3K RPM?? If so, did you get it attended to and what was it? Or do you just leave it and live with it adjudging it to be nothing to be overtly concerned about?
Many thanks in advance for any and all answers,
Mike

Is it pinking?

 

[pvr]

I had it terribly on my previous 3.0. I could never use 95 RON petrol as it sounded like the tappets were coming out of the engine. I did take it back to the dealer who was not prepared to do anything about it. I would describe the noise that I had more as "bells" in the engine though, not so much a rattle ...

Do you use 98 RON in the car?

 

[MMM]

Guys, thanx for the replies.

Jas667: yep good idea - I'll take it to let the local dealer have a listen.
cj10jeeper: no, I'm fairly sure it ain't pinkin'.
pvr: I try to always use 98RON, but I did yesterday put in £20-00 of 95RON since, living as I do, in the small seaside town of Whitby, there ain't no 98RON to be had and I was nearly out of juice! And I think that the noise IS more noticable since I (for the 1st time with this car) put the 95RON in. The sound is definately a light tapping noise rather than 'bells' as such.

Mike

 

[Top pup]

Probably just a tappet that wants adjusting (I think they're done with shims) I would get your dealer to have a look.

 

[Blacklines]

I had a similar thing with my car and was a bit concerned. Took it to 2 different dealers and they tackled it differently but told me the same thing. They all do that SIr. The first dealer was in the UK and I disregarded the response completely. The second dealer was in Germany and knew what they were talking about. Consequently I forgot about the noise and either it has disappered with a few more miles or I have grown used to it.

Don't worry - but take it to a dealers to a.) recored your concern and b.) put your mind to rest.

Cheers

 

[cj10jeeper]

Guys, thanx for the replies.

Jas667: yep good idea - I'll take it to let the local dealer have a listen.
cj10jeeper: no, I'm fairly sure it ain't pinkin'.
pvr: I try to always use 98RON, but I did yesterday put in £20-00 of 95RON since, living as I do, in the small seaside town of Whitby, there ain't no 98RON to be had and I was nearly out of juice! And I think that the noise IS more noticable since I (for the 1st time with this car) put the 95RON in. The sound is definately a light tapping noise rather than 'bells' as such.

Mike

Interesting that you put lower octane fuel in and get the noise more noticably but then consider it not to be pinking. That would point me even more towards it as its common ot induce pinking when running on cheaper or a batch of crap fuel.

Eitehr way it does not sound significant enough to worry about. If you told me it did it constantly and specifically under acceleration in a high gear I'd be getting ready for a new set of pistons as it burnt through them...lol

 

[MMM]

Many thanks for the further and helpful replies fellas.

cj10jeeper, I take your point about the 95RON, but the noise I'm talking about was there on the 98RON also - in fact I think I was maybe just thinking it was a bit more noticable with the 95RON trying to convince myself it was the fuel and not something strictly mechanical!

cHEERS,

Mike

 

[carl]

Probably just a tappet that wants adjusting (I think they're done with shims)

Does the S54 use solid tappets then? My TVR did, and they were always going out of adjustment (one of the reasons for the high servicing costs, when after all it's a pretty simple car).

 

[Top pup]

Probably just a tappet that wants adjusting (I think they're done with shims)

Does the S54 use solid tappets then? My TVR did, and they were always going out of adjustment (one of the reasons for the high servicing costs, when after all it's a pretty simple car).

Well technically it doesn't have any tappets at all just a small follower acting on a shim straight onto the valve stem, but yes they will need adjusting just the same (but probably not half as often).

I would imagine the TVR speed six engines use a very similar set up, I did read somewhere that the valve train for them was based on the S50 valve train just without the double Vanos.