p5b not runing right

[Deleted]

Hi all i took the car out to day ruhing ok stoped at the shop
went to start the car and it sounds like it is only runing on 7
and there is a taping noise as well so i rang for the recovery
to get home any ideas

[Phil Nottingham]

Could be a hydraulic tappet/camshaft failure or just a plug/lead failed. Identify which cylinder it is by removing a plug lead in turn with engine running to see which one makes no difference. Check spark and plug is OK if so, then remove rocker cover on that side to see if both valves open once during 2 turns of engine using socket to turn engine.

Report outcome - some symptons would usually have been present before if its serious

[Deleted]

Hi i have checked sparkplug ok
Not fireing on No8
took of rocker cover one valve not hardley moveing put some stuf in to unblock oil ways and free sticking valves
The valve and tappet are moveing a bit more now
but still fireing on 7 and tapping a lot

[harvey]

Sounds like the camshaft has worn the lobe away.

[Phil Nottingham]

It does point to at a top end overhau and new camshaft - any engine history, black sludge etc? The rear ends of teh camshaftdo seem to have a tendancy to go first.

Remove the tappets and inspect tehm and camshaft

[Deleted]

Thanks for that will it be a big job or could it be a bent valve

[Phil Nottingham]

Both about as much bother - its a matter of what is else you may as well do, or find!

Valves do not bend without good cause

[Deleted]

what do i look for once the head is of

[harvey]

If it's the camshaft it's not necessary to remove the heads to do it. As Phil said, valves bend for a reason, usually the camchain jumping.If you want to see if a valve is bent, remove the rockershaft and lay a straight edge along the tops of the valve stems, any bent (or stuck) ones will sit noticably lower.

[Deleted]

THank for your help let you know how i got on

[Deleted]

It could be a collapsed hydraulic tappet. A camshaft failure would not happen suddenly on a trip to the papershop.
If the milage is around 70,000 miles i would change the camshaft and tappets anyway.
A kit is ludicrously cheap costing less than a full service.
Once the one of the lobes START to wear, the damage to the rest of the engine has to be considederd.