Lancefitzgiben

Blaine, I think you'd be able to hear it in an "insulated" engine bay. Unless you really weren't paying attention. The noise is pretty similar in intensity to hydraulic lifter tick that I'll get in my Miata on a hot start sometimes.

Very true that the timing cover will transmit sound more readily. All the ancillary stuff is pretty solid as best we can tell. I haven't physically checked the motor mounts but I will. Noise definitely seems louder down low. I'm wondering about the oil pump drive, as it's down there and has its own tensioner. The car has a dry sump. The oil is still whatever V's performance put in when they installed the engine. I'm still waiting for oil filters to come in. I got the car at 39 miles, it's now at 200. Hasn't been over 5k on my watch, and the noise is new.

Physically pulled the serp belt just to be sure. Definitely nothing to do with that. Sound is more prominent on the timing cover, toward the bottom. If we probe the cover we can hear it more so than probing the block directly behind the timing cover.

Everything on the serpentine belt sounds ok with the scope. Noise only comes up when the motor is warm. Injectors sound fine. Checked the tolerances between cam and buckets, all at 10 thou. Scoped the cylinders and all look fine albeit a bit of oil and more carbon that I'd expect at 200 miles. Ugggghhhhhhh

Now having spoken with the chap who supplies Caterham with their modified tensioners - my car should already be equipped with one, and the bit of slack I'm feeling is normal. So maybe it's not the timing chain, suggestions welcome!

Hey guys. It seems quite early in terms of mileage but I've got a rattle in the duratec 2.0. Cold start you can barely hear it - as the engine warms up it becomes more evident. Poking around with a stethoscope it's on the front end but that's about all you can ascertain. Pulled the valve cover and all looks well. There is some play in the chain between the cam gears - say you can move the chain up and down about 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. I think that's loose but my buddy thinks that's fine. How much play should the chain have between the gears? Also, regarding the chain tensioner - do we know if Caterham uses the Ford part or something better? I know there's a modded tensioner available, and Cosworth makes one - though I don't know if it's different. Thanks for any input! - Tim

Yep, and I did find one that's working 80% but it's not ideal. The spring I need has longer hooks that are 90 degrees to one another. I'll just get one from caterham

Hi gents, Noticed my brakes dragging and discovered that my car doesn't have the return spring on the pedal. I got one from the hardware store that's mostly working - looks like the one on the Caterham website would do the trick - it's got two long hooks, oriented 90 degrees from eachother. I can post one from the uk but wanted to check here first. Anyone got one kicking around? Thanks! - Tim

Hey Blaine, thanks again. I don't mind the long post at all! I appreciate the insight actually. It does indeed have a cat, which is only 02'd on the upwind side surprisingly but it won't break my heart if it gets compromised. I also don't live in an area that requires emissions checks. I think I'll give some Amsoil diesel oil a shot. It meets the criteria you mention. I'll stick with the weight that they recommend I suppose. The car is primarily a street machine but will see some tracking obviously Thanks again - very much - Tim

Blaine - thanks again. I'll deviate and get a different oil before I do the 1st oil change. Do you mind helping me out a little more and suggesting a 5w50 oil (that's what Caterham recommends anyway) that would keep things safer? - Tim

Not sure about the speedo. Car was built at Caterham obviously and brought into the US by Hillbank. Technically speaking the 480 is the US model while the 485 is for the European/Asian market. The 5 denotes the EU5 compliancy. Kph speedo turned me off initially but I think in the long run it fits the car fine. If it ends up bugging me I'll swap in a MPH unit.

Took it out of the neighborhood and put a few kilometers on. Feels pretty good! I'll need to retrain my brain for the kph speedo and push button turn signals. Can't wait to get it broken in and let her rip!

Thanks Blaine! I consulted with Amsoil and they've suggested their signature series 5w30. I'm an oil noob, but I do know enough to know that you're right about the zinc. I haven't studied oil specs though. What do you think of their recommendation? I'll try and get the oil swapped out soon - within the next few days. As for the fuel, mixing in some unleaded race fuel probably isn't a bad idea - that being said the car lives at well over 7k ft above sea level and the first few hundred miles will be gentle. I'll see how things go. - Tim By the way; car showed up this morning and looks unreal! Can't wait to have a proper drive outside of the neighborhood.

95 RON translates directly to 91 octane here in the USA (rocky mountains) I'm not likely to have a barrel of VP in the garage to only fuel up at home. So we'll see what happens.

Thanks Bruce! Great to know

Thanks Kitcat! I'm anxious for the truck to arrive with the new toy, hoping I made the right choice! The Z06 was a C6, 7.0 liter with uprated cam and heads - making over 520hp at the wheels. 3000 lbs though and long gearing. So we'll see how the power of the Cat holds up. Being so high above sea level is a big motivator for always getting the more powerful model Good call on short trips! I'm going to get in some fluids from Amsoil and I'll do an oil change right off the bat since the oil is a couple years old - then I'll just run it in and take it as it comes. I have so many questions, and I'm sure only more to come. Getting the car in my possession will hopefully answer a number of them. I haven't told any of my friends here at home, or the local car club, this should be fun!

Manual lists it at 13.0. I'm also at 7k feet above sea level

Edit: double post. Does everyone source parts from Caterham or is there a place stateside? Suggested fuel is 95 RON, will our 91 octane suffice?

Thank you for the replies gentlemen! Z06 went on the truck this morning and I was sad to see it go - but I'm super excited to be adopting a Cat I'm basically religious about warm oil before high revs. Breezy I'll dig into that owner's manual now, thank you! - Tim

Hey there guys, It looks like I've finally gotten my hands on a Caterham!! It's a 485 S and I'm super excited to have it delivered and finally experience one of these little cars that are supposed to be so magical (and impractical/useless haha) That being said these cars are pretty rare in the US so I'm a bit nervous about parts sourcing and getting the right fluids. Any words of wisdom here? It's got the 2 liter Duratec Ford pushing 240hp. The car is also a 2014 with just about 50 miles on it so it needs to be run-in as well; and I really want to make sure that's done properly! Thanks for any help, I can't wait to get this little thing! - Tim