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MG TD TF 1500 - Tapping sound from the engine

I have a slight tapping sound from the TF's engine. I dug my old stethoscope out and the noise is coming from the top end suggesting a tappet. However it is loudest if I place the stethoscope in the middle of the balancer pipe on the inlet manifold. The sound is constant though where ever I listen along the exhaust manifold. Before I take off my now oil tight rocker cover has anyone a suggestion?

Thanks

Jan T
J Targosz

Hi Jan,
Have you tried listening to each one of the pushrod passages? Thats how I found my sticking #1 exhaust valve.
Regards, Keith
K. McKenzie

Jan,
if you have an aluminium rocker cover, check the valve spring caps are not touching the inside.
I have had this on mine, also Dave Williams who posts here has had the same.
I relieved the edge where it butts up to the cylinder head nuts to allow it to move over a bit. It only happened to mine when I replaced the cork gasket with thinner nitrile.
Dave's actually wore through the steel cover and was leaking oil.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee raybar2(at) tiscalidotcodotuk

Jan,
It could be a number of things as mentioned above,, or
Valve out of adjustment.
Adjusting screw theads let go on one rocker
Push rod top cracked

The only way to find out is to remove the cover.

If you had one of Toms silicone gaskets, there wouldn't be anyconcern about oil leaks

Steve
Steve Wincze

Might not be your problem but here's a pic of the jamb nut from one of my rockers - might work loose, just guessing. Jud

J. K. Chapin

That is axactly what I mean,, It happened to one of mine,,the threads come oit like a spring !!

Steve
Steve Wincze

Jan,
It could be a bent pushrod. Look for a rod with one polished side. You might be able to detect a bent pushrod without removing rockers. Just spin them and watch for wobble. You will have to turn the engine a few times to release different pushrods.

Often the rocker shaft is loose in the pedestals. This could create a noise itself or make it hard to set the clearances accurately. To check this you need to grip the post in a vice to simulate the clamping effect of the bigger bolt. If the shaft is loose, thin down the spacer washer until the test results in a tight shaft. Repeat for each pedestal.

Good luck finding the noise.

Bob Schapel
R L Schapel

Any news on what it was?
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee raybar2(at) tiscalidotcodotuk

This thread was discussed between 27/02/2016 and 20/03/2016

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