arternative Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Hi all, I'm driving a Lotus Super 7, 1600 Ford Kent engine, 4-speed gb. It's all fun, but as soon as i put some strain on the engine (temp 70-90 degrees celsius, max 4000 rpm in 3rd gear) the tappets (i think?) become loud. way too loud since of today. the tik-tik-tik seems rpm and temp dependent, but it gets louder and takes more cooling down time to disappear every time i drive it. any idea what's wrong? thanks!
locost7018 Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Does it seem to be one cylinder or all? Did you recently over rev the motor (ie missed shift)? Push rod or push rods may be bent. How is the oil level? I've driven in the Cape and I don't think I would want to drive a 7 around there. Maybe a 5000 kilo truck!!!!! Have you driven the road to Kleinmond (sp)? Fun road!!!! Russ
arternative Posted January 30, 2009 Author Posted January 30, 2009 Hey Russ thanks for your reply! - if it's one or more cylinders i (and so far nobody else) couldn't tell - don't think i ever over revved the engine (where would it start in your opinion?) - push rod(s) i will check out - oil fine - cape roads? nasty for sure. but i so far stick to the newly tarred bits in & around town - kleinmond? yes, awesome. lived in hermanus for a while, think i drove this bit a 125424759495742997 times ;-)
arternative Posted January 30, 2009 Author Posted January 30, 2009 one more thing: i've got a chromed manifold. might this be the culprit?
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted January 30, 2009 Posted January 30, 2009 Have you checked your valve clearances? Also, since the crossflow has flat tappets, I'd reccomend running an oil with a more aggressive ZDP level. I run valvoline racing not street legal.
lowflyer Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 In California they have "street legal" engine oil???? Oh, my!
TheDingo8MyBaby Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 http://www.valvoline.com/racing/index.asp http://www.valvoline.com/downloads/2008-003a.pdf It's mostly meant for older cars with flat tappets and pushrods. It's not really a california thing as they say racing only since it tends to kill your catalytic converter.
Dave W Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Another oil option is any diesel rated oil, they have the higher ZDP additive level. I would recommend Rotella T, 15W-40 you can get it at almost any discount store. I've been using now for several years in my Seven. It works for me, and I do not even have flat tappets Dave W
Ian7 Posted January 31, 2009 Posted January 31, 2009 Dingo has the answer, and DaveW the solution. Exactly same thing happened to me, wiped out the mushrooms in under 200 miles. Rebuilt and running Rotella, 1500 miles + and no problem.
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