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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

My Lotus Sounds Like A Tractor!


Thomas Harborne

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Hi all, today i went ahead and changed my tappets. Never tackled a job like this before, all went well until i started her up. Here it goes...

 

1. On start up she sounded fine, then, for about 3 seconds i heard a scraping noise from the cambelt assembly and a little puff of smoke (lasted for about 3 seconds) After that little scare she was running smoother than ever.

 

2. Had a quick look around for leaks etc, noticed the seal at the end of the cam wasn't quite sitting right so oil was leaking out.

 

3. Sorted the seal on the end of the cam, put everything back together, no oil leaks!

 

BUT...BIG BUT. Like an idiot trying to rush before it went dark i forgot to connect the 2 hoses to the cam cover before starting her up. She started fine and had a slight tap but I assumed she needed a good run out to get the oil into the tappets. So before i went out i noticed the hoses, turned the engine of, connected hoses.

 

She fired up, but sounded like she wanted to stall, revved the engine abit and now it sounds like a bag of nails but drives fine!

 

Any suggestions other than "Go to a garage"?? < Because i think thats best.

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I would check you have the cam timing set up correct. At 90 degrees before top dead centre the marks on the cam wheels should line up. The 2 hoses on the cam cover are only breathers.

Would it drive fine with the timing all out though? As i said it drives fine. And the first time round it was silky smooth, i didnt mess with the time in order to sort out the leak either, i just loosened up the cam ladder and pushed seal back into position.

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You must have removed the cam belt to change the tappets? Check the timing via the bottom crank pulley mark and the marks on the cam wheels. BTW empty tappets will sound like a bag of nails till they are filled with oil and solid. It make take a while?

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You must have removed the cam belt to change the tappets? Check the timing via the bottom crank pulley mark and the marks on the cam wheels. BTW empty tappets will sound like a bag of nails till they are filled with oil and solid. It make take a while?

Sorry, yes i did take off the cambelt to change tappets. But the first time i fired her up she was smooth. 2nd time after i had sorted the leak out but forgot to connect the 2 hoses she was like a bag of nails. 2nd time i didnt touch the timing as i didnt need too.

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Right...I've double checked and checked agsin the timing and its spot on. I give up now so will be phoning Paul Mattys tomorrow see what they can do. I've checked everything, exhaust manifold looks fine, plugs are in correctly, ht leads in correct place. Starts fine, soon as theres a bit of temperature in the noise appears. Seems to be the left side. Opposite to timing belt assembly.

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Thomas, without seeing it i can only suggest the following. Buy a cheap stethoscope off ebay.Use it to track down the noise more accurately? I noticed on SELOC you say the noise does not vary with engine revs? if this is correct it is unlikely to be engine related. Mattys are good but not cheap     :)

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Not sure what area you are in but an alternative to PM's that I can highly recommend is DRM motorsport in Kidderminster. I use them for all my servicing HGF geo. etc.

Lotus and race specialists for many years.

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No disrespect to DRM or Matty's as I'm sure they both do first class work, but another alternative would be Dan Webster

HPE in Bromsgrove.

 

Don't take it to HPE, before you know what's happened you'll have agreed to having a Honda conversion laugh.png

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