From under the bonnet there arose such a clatter.

[Jim_Newman]

After a long winter in storage, the Healey has been fired up a few times this spring and taken for a brisk run. When I first start her up there is a loud metalic clatter from the engine somewhere. The oil pressure is fine and there's no smoke from the exhaust. Idle is pretty rough though. When warmed up she's just fine, idles nicely and the noise largely disappears.

My younger brother (who perhaps like many younger brothers, thinks he knows a lot about a lot of things) heard it and said right away; "Sounds like a stuck valve to me". Could he be right and if so, what can I do about it? If he's not right, what else might it be and again, what can I do about it?

Either way I'll let my smart little brother know.

As always, thanks for the insight.

Cheers

Jim

 

[mjobrien]

Jim,

You could remove the Valve cover or a quck compression test would verify the valve issue. Typically you will get some back firing with a stuck valve as it ignites and goes right out the port.


Hoep this helps,
Michael.