SENATOR-Gone!

[Asimo]

Is the valve concerned stuck open or is it closed?

 

If closed, suspect the hydraulic tappet, if it is stuck open, make sure the piston is out of the way and try and free the valve by tapping with a hammer. Gently does it!

[OwdChina]

Remove rocker and cam follower........suspect the follower is shagged.

[Royale80]

Valve is closed - will take off rocker tomorrow and have a look at the tappet- not sure what to look at- but will give it a go!

 

Steve

[Junkman]

These engines aren't that bulletproof.

For one thing, they eat camshafts for breakfast. But that hasn't happened here, since if it did, it wouldn't run at all.

Then there is the thing with the timing chain and the infamous oil leak from the head gasket half way along the block.

The usual guess how I know all this etc etc applies.

 

My money is on a dodgy plug lead or plug, though.

 

So I was only half wrong.

It would be very weird though, if it ate only one camshaft lobe.

Hence my money is now on the tappet.

[Royale80]

Any idea how to get the old tappet out-I've ordered a good used one.

 

Steve

[Royale80]

Whipped out the tappet-and got it soaking in petrol.

 

Bottom of tappet is worn ovalish though-nothing like this

 

 

So looks like a knackered tappet.

 

Steve

[Junkman]

You can't use a used one.

[Royale80]

Is that because of the cam?

 

Steve

[Guest Hooli]

Is the bottom concave? that's is what happens to the ones I've seen that fail.

[Royale80]

Yep-the bottom is concave-I've got a nearly new one (the one in the photo above) coming-from a very reputable seller-looks unworn on the base-so shouldn't harm the cam shaft.

 

Regards

 

Steve

[Joey spud]

Going back 30 years when i was a trainee at a Vauxhall dealer there was a procedure for adjusting / setting the valve clearances on these engines.

 

We made a little half moon shaped shield out of a bit of tin that fitted over the cam chain to stop the oil getting flung everywhere then you started the engine up with the cam cover removed,i think a bit of stiff card would do the job just as well.

This was held in place by using a couple of the cover bolts through it into the existing threads by the chain.

 

If my memory serves me the early engines were not hydraulic but had solid tappets and to set these you started the hot engine and used a long feeler strip to measure the valve to rocker clearance and adjusted it as required by turning the rocker nut.

 

I can't accurately recall the procedure for adjusting hydraulic lifters but it was something like have the engine warmed up and running and slacken the rocker nut until it just starts to tap then slowly turn the rocker nut one full turn and that would set up the correct pre load.

 

It could i guess be a totaly worn cam lobe causing the valve not to operate so why not with the rocker arm removed rotate the engine and see if the tappet goes up and down ?

 

Edit. Thinking about the adjustment procedure although one full turn was recommended i think they seemed happier with around just half a turn as a rule.

[Royale80]

Didn't think of that - I'll give that a go in the morning.

 

Thanks Joey.

 

Steve

[alf892]

 

Yep-the bottom is concave-I've got a nearly new one (the one in the photo above) coming-from a very reputable seller-looks unworn on the base-so shouldn't harm the cam shaft.

 

Regards

 

Steve

No... But the cam might harm it! How does the cam lobe look?

[Royale80]

Will be having a look at the lobe in the morning-will slowly rotate the crank and have a gander.

 

Thanks

 

Steve

[Joey spud]

 

 

A bit like this...

[oman5]

I can remember a guy I knew running around in a viceroy which used the same engine in 2.5 litre flavour, come to think of it that had a borked camshaft and only ever ran on 5 pots.

[Junkman]

 

Yep-the bottom is concave-I've got a nearly new one (the one in the photo above) coming-from a very reputable seller-looks unworn on the base-so shouldn't harm the cam shaft.

 

Regards

 

Steve

 

 

I wouldn't risk it. It can eat the lobe within seconds.

[Royale80]

Have ordered a new one-will inspect the cam shaft later-but bottom of old lifter concave and gummed up.

 

Thanks Junkman (where ever you are!).

 

Steve

[Bren]

Can you still buy camshafts/followers for these?

 

I always remember our royale had low oil pressure which was cured by new gears.

[Royale80]

I had a look-got the tappet piston freed off-but still not working.
Tried to have a look at the cam and cannot feel any lobe on the cam-so now suspecting a cam shaft.

Question-how hard to change and if I can get a second hand one-will I have to replace all the tappets?

 

Bren-I've found a supplier on the bay who sells new tappets for £12

Regards

 

Steve
 

[Royale80]

Tappet base

 

[Bren]

A used cam will destroy a new set of tappets in no time - the whole lot needs to be replaced as a set.

[twosmoke300]

On the 2.0 cih I've seen the cams snap

[alf892]

Sounds like you'd best get a cam then........and all new followers.

 

The car seems worth it though

[Austin of England]

Sounds like you'd best get a cam then........and all new followers.

 

The car seems worth it though

Steve

 

I have a new cam kit for one of these with 12 followers, I don't know which make it is but is has a part number on it which is R900090581, I paid £80 for it to keep as a you never know item (I have a Senator B 2.5). If it is any good you can have it for what I paid plus postage or pick up from Wakefield West Yorks. Tony

[Bren]

There is a difference between the cams on early and later engines - there is an oil feed that can be obstructed by fitting the wrong cam.

 

GM6 spares in cornwall are a good source of parts and knowledge.

[Royale80]

Thanks Austin-will do a search to find if it fits.

 

Steve

[Royale80]

There is a difference between the cams on early and later engines - there is an oil feed that can be obstructed by fitting the wrong cam.

 

GM6 spares in cornwall are a good source of parts and knowledge.

Thanks Bren,

Use Derek quite a lot-it's not much that he doesn't have or know!

 

Steve

[Royale80]

Hello all,

Had a bit of time tonight so started to strip down the engine. Took all the rockers off and tappets out. There were another three tappets starting to wear. Will disconnect the exhaust and detach all the injector wiring next.

Have to fit it in with putting a roof on the carport.

 

Steve

[CreepingJesus]

Beautiful old motor that, I'm nearly the same colour as it - well green with envy!

I remember chocolate camshafts being rife on certain engines (ok most of the OHC or CIH ones), but I'd assumed they'd all have been fixed by now. I was reading through this going "can't be the cam, surely?" but there you go. You never know the day!

Look forward to seeing how you get on. Good luck.