3LW clack clack on start up

[Maudesmaster]

Started engine today and a nasty clack clack for 5 or 6 revolutions then every few revs then as video 

Any ideas as to what it is guessing noise from head but has stopped so can’t investigate 

can’t up load vid 

Will check out tappets in morning 

thee is a slight very low tappy tappy 

[Tony Brooks]

Lack of oil feed to the rockers and push rod cups? Now filled with oil, cushioning the hit from the pushrod to rocker adjuster. That was a BMC A series problem, but have difficulty seeing why a Gardener should suffer from it unless the rocker bushes/shaft is badly worn.

[David Mack]

15 hours ago, Maudesmaster said:

can’t up load vid 

Upload to YouTube, then paste the 'share' link in a post here.

[jonesthenuke]

Check oil feed to the valve gear, its a long pipe with very small bore to restrict the flow.

[Tony Brooks]

41 minutes ago, jonesthenuke said:

Check oil feed to the valve gear, its a long pipe with very small bore to restrict the flow.

 

Good call, I did no know Gardners to that detail, but Old Vauxhall had similar and being a copper pipe it eventually fractured, not that a fracture would give those exact symptoms, but a partial blockage would

[jonesthenuke]

1 hour ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

Good call, I did no know Gardners to that detail, but Old Vauxhall had similar and being a copper pipe it eventually fractured, not that a fracture would give those exact symptoms, but a partial blockage would

IIRc its the same pipe as the lines to the injectors, so rather small bore steel pipe. I keep meaning to check mine so this has been a good reminder.

[Maudesmaster]

Thank you I’ll have a look in morning 

I had a leak on the oil line into the end of the rocker shaft last year had to silver solder over the hole 

perhaps time to fit new pipe 

Just emailed Gardner Marine maybe sticking valve been running few hours today no reoccurrence 

I have pipe and flaring tool and new male union for bottom end and Gardner Marine will give me a used banjo for shaft end 

Thank you again for thoughts 

[jonesthenuke]

Have you found the problem?

[Maudesmaster]

Sorry not really but has not happened since 

I have a new feed pipe made up and will fit Banjo on to it and attach to engine when I collect from Gardner Marine 

I have replaced rocker cover with just 1 bolt Incase of a reoccurrence 

I think as GM assumes it was a valve sticking but may never know 🤷

[Tony Brooks]

25 minutes ago, Maudesmaster said:

Sorry not really but has not happened since 

I have a new feed pipe made up and will fit Banjo on to it and attach to engine when I collect from Gardner Marine 

I have replaced rocker cover with just 1 bolt Incase of a reoccurrence 

I think as GM assumes it was a valve sticking but may never know 🤷

 

FWIW A sticking valve should have produced a misfire or at least rough running because one cylinder would be low on compression at idle.

 

I think that you were talking about a decoke some time back. If this happened upon reassembly did you oil the push rod cups, if not then it could simply be time for oil to get into them, especially in view of @jonesthenuke's comment about the fee pipe bore size. If this adds up, then there is no need for further concern, especially if you replace the pipe to remove that posisbility.

 

 

Edited December 21, 2025 by Tony Brooks

[Maudesmaster]

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