oh oh...
My P38 is booked in to get the leaking valley & rocker gaskets replaced next week. Today I had to do a trip to Chichester, when I got there my engine was clacking like a very tappety thing. After 5 hours standing I started it and it was all quiet again, drove back to London no problem and when I pulled up it was tapping out loud again. Noise disappears or reduces above 1500-2000 rpm off load and is only there when its hot. Doesn't seem to be any worse under load. Sounds like a pronounced "clack" sound rather than a knock but it seemed to be coming from the business end rather than the top although I could easily be wrong. Its done 99k. Doesn't loose oil or water (apart from the valley & rocker gaskets), oil & filter changed every 3-4k miles. Any ideas from you V8 gurus as to what this may be, can something shagged in the bottom end make a sound like a tappet or this this most likely a stuck/knackered lifter?
Gazza