The V8 Owners Forum -

Hello hope someone out there can help. I got rid of my TR7 this year and bought myself a Griffith 4.3 big valve (pics to follow) still miss my 7 though, anyhoo problem is I've been enjoying the griff through the summer and had no problems, its got 43k with a fsh however since the weather has changed I've noticed the engine has a rattle on cold startup similar to that of a rattly mk3 escort but not as loud and it stops after a few seconds, is this normal or is there some nasty bills coming my way?

Anon,

Sounds like the hydraulic lifters are draining down, not unusual and as long as the rattle dissappears after a few seconds nothing much to worry about.

It can also be caused by a filter with a defective non drain back valve and it might be a good idea to try fitting a good quality new filter.

Kevin.

Probably just a lazy tappet taking some time to pump up - sort of a "taptaptap..tap...tap..........." then fades away? If so, probably that.

I wouldn't worry about it too often - the oilways in the tappets tend to clog up a little, so when it's thick (cold) it doesn't pump them up until it's run for a few seconds.

Changing the oil may alleviate the problem

Dammit, dual post, what he said ^^

Is it a tapping or a heavy knocking. I have a heavy knocking when I start up. Sounds like the mains or big ends, but after 25000 miles it seems to have done no damage.

Otherwise I conquer, it's probably just a tappet and not worth worrying about

Hello the oil was changed recently and is still golden, it's definately not a clunking noise more of a tap a tap tap and only lasts for a couple of secs then everything is as it should be. If it is'nt anything to worry about I'll go back to enjoying it somemore thanks for your advice

"changed the oil recently", by any chance used somthing other than 20/50?
Mike

Hello the garage changed the oil/filter last month when it went back for an oil leak, not sure what grade they used but presume it was MOBILE 1 0W40, I've read in Steve Heath's "bible" that there's some argument on oil choice I'm no expert on anything engine related so tend to follow what the manufacturer recomends maybe I'm just a little paranoid about the car as the warranty has ran out, cheers

Phil.

I would say that 0W/40 is way too thin for that engine......

I run 20W/50 in both my V8's. But I'm not sure of your engine spec.

Chris.

this is one of the most common rover threads on here, someone changes the oil to somthing other than 20/50 and posts on here that they have a "top end rattle" the hydraulic lifters on anything but the late 4.0 and 4.6 engines rattle on anything but 20/50. The rest of the enging needs 20/50 aswell as the oil pump was designed to use it and tends to drain back if wou use thin stuff.
Mike

It was a TVR garage that changed the oil I'll give them a call to find out for sure but it was'nt rattling straight after it went there only when it's cold outside, I used the car when I was working nights and I finnish at 5am friday morning and it was then I first noticed it. I just presumed they had used 0W40 again reading to many books but if they did I'll change the oil to 20/50 when I take it off the road for the winter and see if that works, cheers

Phil.

p.s been in my books again spec as follows:

bore: 94mm
stroke: 77mm
compression ratio: 10:1
cylinder head: ported balanced and polished
valves: 42.8mm inlet, 36.8mm outlet
power: 300approx blackpool donkies & 320+lb/ft

Quoted in Steve Heath's book

You have probably got 0W/40 in it or something near which is no good.
Better to use Mobil's Motorsport 15W/50 if you want a full synth, otherwise a good quality 20W/50 changed regularly.
The serpentine engine will just about tolerate thin oil but not your pre serp.

Did you get it from Tony at HHC?

yeah I bought it from Tony, well his son Richard really, nice people to deal with I love the griff but miss the stealth and amusement of my old TR7