Vauxhall red top specialist - near Oxford

[Jaseb]

Friends of mine have a 2 litre red top 7 with some serious top end ticking that needs fixing, tried flushing and new oil I seem to remember a minor mod to the cam cover but to no avail.

 

So now need someone who knows what they're talking about and preferably close to home!

 

I vaguely remember there being somewhere in Witney?!

 

Any ideas gratefully recieved.

 

Edited to fix the smelling...

 

Edited by - jaseb on 5 Mar 2013 14:14:31

[Jonathan Kay]

Was it this:

Quoting ric: 

Have heard good things about both of the above, I've also used Vauxshop in Witney. Whilst not a Caterham specialist the owner, Steve, is/was an owner and runs a local area meeting

Jonathan

 

PS: Searching for "Whitney" would have missed this. Or, to put it another way: "Houston, we have a problem". :-)

[combine]

Sounds like valve gear needs adjustment , get in touch with the local 7 club they should know someone local .

[Paul Deslandes]

Vx Red Top, top-end clatter is nearly always cam followers not pumping up with oil, due to oil starvation from the wrong grade of oil or surge due to centrifugal force. There's no adjustment as they're 'self-adjusting' or, at least, supposed to be. Is it only a problem at startup, all the time or just after hard cornering?

 

There were numerous threads about this in years gone by and a search of the archives will demonstrate the various views on the subject. If the problem is there under all conditions then a change of oil type/grade can help or, in extremis, change the followers. Even this won't help if the oil's not getting and staying there. If its only after hammering round a bend, causing oil starvation, the baffle mod in the cam cover (done?) and attention to the oil pick-up pipe and foam baffle in the sump are required.

 

I'm assuming the engine's mounted fore and aft in a 7'esque type vehicle rather than transverse in an Astra etc. as some of the 7 mods wouldn't apply to transverse installations.

 

You need to find someone who understands Vx engines in a 7, not just in their original settings.

[northernmonkey]

Steve @ trackdaytoyz is your man - Used to run VauxShop in Witney but has setup a new company - Knows lots about 7's and was a Vauxhall technician for over 25 years...

 

Say I passed your details on and he'll look after you (services all our cars...)

[Ian R]

We are assuming they are the hydraulic tappets, rather than solid lifters having been fitted and just need re-shimming?!

 

I fitted new hydraulic tappets as part of a rebuild many years ago and ran it with new 10/40w oil and they rattled like anything.

 

I swapped to 10/50w and they have been fine ever since.

 

You need to work out if its just the odd one or two, in which case they just might be knackered, or if its all of them - if so do an oil change and see if that helps.

 

 

 

[combine]

I've had solid lifters for three years now and am nearly getting used to that nice chatter above 3k revs - on cam !

[Paul Deslandes]

but it is nice to get into a car with the hydraulic lifters and realise how quiet they are 😬

Ian, I went for the SPC g.box - much quieter but can now hear the diff whine

[Ian R]

Paul - glad the straight cut has been replaced!

 

If it wasnt the diff, it would be something else squeeking or rattling! Diffs are supposed to whine..... slightly! 😬