Rattle - please help!

mike-b · Post by **mike-b** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:56 pm

Hi All,
Today I started my RV8 for the first time in what has to be 3 months.
The delay was caused waiting for a new bell for my T5 and me to get a grip.
The motor started with a little hesitation but finally started and run smoothly, however it sounded like an old sewing machine. The engine was fine when last switched off.
Removing a rocker cover revealed little oil over everything that should be covered with it.
Assuming ( yes I know ASSUME ) the oil had drained down from the pump I turned the engine over on the battery without the ignition on, likewise the fuel pump.
This improved the oil situation and the oil was running over everything as per normal.
However the rattle now quieter is still there.
Am I looking at drained lifters that don`t want to pump up any further?
As a footnote the lifters cannot be pushed down by hand and two of the push rods spin as if attached to a drill !!
Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance, Mike

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 3:52 pm

Quite common - as you say the tappets have drained down. Simply run it - they noise should go away.

mike-b · Post by **mike-b** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:59 pm

Hi Dave, Many thanks for the reply, I was hoping it was on those lines somewhere.

I`ll give it a go, I did not want to run the engine too long with the noise it was making fearing coursing damage.

However, should the lifters not pump up as they were do I remove and empty them by taking them apart. Replacing them in their original positions of course, in the hope they sort themselves out then.

Regards, Mike

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 9:51 pm

Oil pressure gauge ?

mike-b · Post by **mike-b** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:15 pm

Hi Stevie, Thanks for that reminder, needle in norm position. I have oil a plenty at the rocker bar and rockers, its pouring out in all the places it should.
When first started noise was like a singer sewing machine, then went a little quieter.
However bags of oil up top and draining well.
As I have normal oil pressure ( needle on gauge in usual and norm position ) I am leaning toward Dave`s post.
Giving it a rest and starting the engine tomorrow my help it recover, but then a pig might fly past me as well.
If the followers don`t pump up properly I can only think of my answer to Dave`s post above.
Thanks Stevie, a good point but pressure gauge reading correct.