Sorry - another question relating to tappets (I think)...

[The90kwBeast]

Hi all,

my VK 202 carby has recently started developing a tick-tick-tick sound from the engine not once cold, but when the engine is warm. It's not very loud, but I think it is coming from the rear of the engine (so I presume not a belt or anything). Our old VH 202 paddock basher had a tick about 3 times louder than this and was a sure sign the engine was in need of repair... but I wonder with this - should i get it looked at and do you guys know what I may be looking at getting fixed, if anything?

Where this may originate from is that the car only basically gets driven when cold - by the time it warms up, its turned off and left in the carpark all day. Also, coming home i have to go up a steep hill and requires 3/4 throttle acceleration when the engine is still somewhat cold. This may not help?

Also, the car has recently had an oil change and the odomo has about 95,000 kms on it (although the engine is probably closer to 140,000kms - odo jammed for a period).

Thanks.

[ucwepn]

Hmmmm my old red 202 used to make some tappet noises, was because I had a sports aircleaner (open type) and you could hear the tappets through it.

[Goon]

I had this issue with my 202 VC awhile ago and I sure I did post about it here, but I can't find it...

It could be a few things...

Possible loosened bolts and nuts that are lose on the engine head cover. "Signs of oil coming out from around the bolt"

Bolts and nuts lose around the carby and the manifold/exhaust area..

Could even be timing...

Blocked valves/hoses

Piston rubbing?

I know with the VC blue engine that 2 different types of metal where used for them and when the heat comes into things it can cause the bolts to loosen up

[9C1pack]

Check the tightness of the nuts/bolts that hold the inlet and exhaust manifold on. If they are loose then you can get one cylinder leaking and to the untrained ear it can sound like a tic-tic and will often be worse when cold or hot. If you are careful you can hold your hand close to the area and should be able to feel the hot gases or see a grey dust around where the leak is. When you service holden 6 motors you should always check them as they come loose, just nip em up firm not over tight. You may have to take the carb off to get to the middle ones.

[bommodore]

the bottom end bearings can also make a similar sound when worn and they can get louder when hot mine does

[A-TEAM AUTOMOTIVE]

its from thrashing. lol

[A-TEAM AUTOMOTIVE]

its from thrashing. lol

[The90kwBeast]

Well, sorry for the delayed response... i thought the problem had gone away but it's baacck...

It doesn't appear to occur with the same level of volume on every revolution, but rather every 5th or 6th 'tap' it will be quiter than the others, but its kinda random.

I had a poke around the engine/carby to see if theres any loose bolts but there's none i can see.

It's definatly not timing, i had that fixed. Goon, when you are referring to a blocked hose, which hose are you referring to? I still think it may be a blocked/sticking tappet. How expensive are these to replace, does anyone know (if a mechanic does it?)

What's a 'big end bearing'?

Cheers,

Kurt

[craigvk]

Bad lifters making the rockers rattle and tick?

[Goon]

Dunno what a big end bearing is though u could be onto something there, but i found that with my car it would start to tap at a certain rev, maybe ur cars under reving abit? but i doubt that to since its fixed?

I'm replacing head valve gasket cover in the morning and going to inspect mine engine head.

ps. is your car an automatic?

[The90kwBeast]

Yes, goon, its a trimatic.

I dont think it matters, but the tappett cover gasket has been replaced too... something to do with leaking oil (this was what the guy reckoned who I bought it off).

I could probably get a sound recording of the engine, if that would help solve what it may be?

The engine makes the ticking noise at all RPM (as far as I can tell), but its most prominant at idle when there's less fan noise so you can hear it better.

Zoist, you said bad lifters - I think this is what i was trying to get to as per my idea of what it is. If it is these, what would they cost to repair? Im kinda interested in prices as well as what it is too, if anyone could help, as if its another $500 thing, ill probably sell the car as it needs new shock absorbers too and ive already spend $500 on it and my mum $500 on it already.

[253@7k]

Hey mate, hydraulic lifters can just be noisy sometimes. Same sort of sound comes from my 253 does not hurt just sounds annoying.

You can get new lifters for about $100 bucks (might have do the cam while your there )

[craigvk]

Zoist, you said bad lifters - I think this is what i was trying to get to as per my idea of what it is. If it is these, what would they cost to repair? Im kinda interested in prices as well as what it is too, if anyone could help, as if its another $500 thing, ill probably sell the car as it needs new shock absorbers too and ive already spend $500 on it and my mum $500 on it already.

When you replace the lifters, you should replace the cam and timing chain. About $400 all up just for the parts. Labor will be a bit unless you do it yourself.