Rocker cover noise

[Greenstag]

Need a bit of advise pleaseguys

I haven't run the Stag for about 6 weeks, shes been in the mother in laws garage.

Went over there to bring her home for some suspension bush work and she wouldn't start. I'd expected that so the battery was connected to my starter pack to give it some power. After about 6 attempts I started to get concerned because I 've never suffered from prolonged starting problems and she was running perfectly last time. Not even a hint of firing up.

However on the last attempt I got a very worrying noise from inside the rocker cover. (Passenger side and towards the rear). Clunky rather than tinny. I've decided not to continue cranking until I take the rocker cover off and have a proper look.

Anybody give me any leads on what it might be and what I should look forand has anyone else suffered this. Is it likely that something has seized since I last ran the engine.

Regards

David

[GDPR]

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No - but quite likely things are pretty dry up there having drained off during the lay-up - might be worth whipping the cover off and giving the cam and followers a good dose of engine oil and trying again.

There could be a possibility that there has been a bit of a coolant leak from the manifold which has corroded and stuck the stem of a valve that was open - when you have the cover off, just turn the engine over by hand and check the valves are all closing when they should.

Russ

[RogerP]

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Greenstag wrote:

Need a bit of advise pleaseguys

I haven't run the Stag for about 6 weeks, shes been in the mother in laws garage.

Went over there to bring her home for some suspension bush work and she wouldn't start. I'd expected that so the battery was connected to my starter pack to give it some power. After about 6 attempts I started to get concerned because I 've never suffered from prolonged starting problems and she was running perfectly last time. Not even a hint of firing up.

However on the last attempt I got a very worrying noise from inside the rocker cover. (Passenger side and towards the rear). Clunky rather than tinny. I've decided not to continue cranking until I take the rocker cover off and have a proper look.

Anybody give me any leads on what it might be and what I should look forand has anyone else suffered this. Is it likely that something has seized since I last ran the engine.

Regards

David

Hi David

I would guess it's oil or lack of it, the last place oil gets to is the N/S cyl head and if there is any play in the cam buckets the oil just runs past. I had this and took a chance and let the engine tick over but it seemed to take ages for it even start to go quite let alone stop. If you think about it the last place it gets to is the back bucket because ithas to fill the other's first.......................So you've got two choices take a chance and let it run for several min probablynot the best thing to do............ or take the rocker cover off and pour oil all round the buckets. This is just my opinion on what I think it is........and I could be barking up the wrong tree..................Lets see what others have to say?

Roger

[Bob Heritage]

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Not uncommon for this type of noise to come from No6 for some reason or other. I personally don't think there is any harm is putting in one of the oil additives that are supposed to leave a film behind, I use STP.

[Russell]

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In this respect what do people advice, running regularly / starting and letting warm up once a week or just leave until you intend to use?

[BJackson]

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Greenstag wrote:

Need a bit of advise pleaseguys

I haven't run the Stag for about 6 weeks, shes been in the mother in laws garage.

Went over there to bring her home for some suspension bush work and she wouldn't start. I'd expected that so the battery was connected to my starter pack to give it some power. After about 6 attempts I started to get concerned because I 've never suffered from prolonged starting problems and she was running perfectly last time. Not even a hint of firing up.

However on the last attempt I got a very worrying noise from inside the rocker cover. (Passenger side and towards the rear). Clunky rather than tinny. I've decided not to continue cranking until I take the rocker cover off and have a proper look.

Anybody give me any leads on what it might be and what I should look forand has anyone else suffered this. Is it likely that something has seized since I last ran the engine.

Regards

David

Hi David,

As usual I think Kryten is spot on but if you are unsure why dont you give Keith Stevenson a ring I'm sure he will be more than happy to offer advice.

Cheers

Bruce

P.S. thanks for the info on drive it day
P.P.S if you need Keiths number let me know

[Greenstag]

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Thanks very muchto all of you.... I did suspect some sort of oil starvation problem but it's good to here you guys confirm it. I'll have the covers off on Saturday and let you know

Yes Bruce my next port of call would have been Keith and still might be if it's not resolved at the weekend.

Personally I blame the mother in law

David

[redstag]

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Russell wrote:

In this respect what do people advice, running regularly / starting and letting warm up once a week or just leave until you intend to use?

If you are going to start it then make sure you get it fully warmed up, and the only way you will do this is by taking it for a decent run. If you can't do this then you will be doing more harm than good by running the engine and it would be best to leave alone until you are ready to use the car.
I never leave my car for more than a couple of weeks without using it - can't resist the temptation

Pete

[GDPR]

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Russell

There is only one answer, and it's the one I use...... use it every day.

There are loads of us on here that do, and we find as a result the car is far less likely to breakdown or give grief.

If you can't do that, then when you run the engine, try and give the car a drive for about 10 miles - apart from boiling off the acids which are a byproduct of combustion from the engine oil, it gets oils and lubricants distributed nicely and helps preserve your oil seals and get things moving freely again.....

Don't just run the engine for 10 minutes, revving it a bit - it'll do far more harm than good!

Russ:dude:

[Russell]

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Pete & Russ

THANK YOU

Much appreciated. Quite agree.

This weekend ill dig the beast out and take her for a 10 mile run or so to get her warm and things moving. Shes not been out or started since getting delivered 8 days ago!!!

[martin]

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kryten wrote:

Russell

There is only one answer, and it's the one I use...... use it every day.

Yes yes yes ! use it ! someowners leave their Stags in the garage till April, then spend the next three months sorting out the probs, that gives them a few weeks of pleasant summer motoring then back in the bloody garage ready for next years probs ! WHY ! I reckon the same or similar would happen with a modern that's ignored, it ain't a painting, or a piece of jewellery, it's a C-A-R. If I don't use mine for more than two days I get withdrawel symptoms,use it ! :? :? Martin.

[Russell]

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lol cheers Martin.

Its just always something ive done with any classic ive had, especially more so now its THE one ive found to keep. Im a garager till April man im afraid!!