[gizzo]

Hi guys. This last week I've noticed my CGT's engine has a tappety noise,you know like when the hydraulic lifters in an old engine become tired? Did a bit of a search and came across a few old threads about cam gears needing adusting. Is that still a thing? The old threads say it ought to be done at about 500 miles but I can guarantee it wasn't done, or even known about, by my dealer at it's first services. My engine has about 5500km, oil changed about 1500km ago. Still runs fine,just has the tappet noise.
Thanks.

[NorEaster]

what are you running for oil?

[Mr.Mazza]

Could be the auto decomp being rattly, does it go if the rpm slightly rises?

[gizzo]

Whatever oil they put in it when it was serviced: I took it to the Other enfield dealer for it's logbook service, to keep the warranty happy. I had thought about changing it for my favourite thumper friendly diesel oil but if it's the gears, that's not going to fix it and if it's the lifters, ticking for another 1000km til service time shouldn't do any harm.
The Decomp has always jingled a bit, it's a new noise, deeper in note and sounds just like a worn out lifter. Doesn't seem to go away as RPM goes up as far as I can tell.
I might drop in to see them and ask if they know anything about it.

[ace.cafe]

If you adjust the cam spindles for cam gear lash, just be sure to not make them too tight! Make sure that the gears go all the way around without any tight spots.  No binding. They should go around smoothly.
Making it tight can cause problems.

[gizzo]

Yep, I got that from the other posts. Is it likely that the gear lash can cause the tappet noise? I'm trying to imagine why that would be the case. Just want to be sure it's worth persuing before I start pulling stuff apart. + I have no real idea how noisy they should be before I start worrying about it.
Cheers.
s

[johno]

sounds a bit silly, but check the header nuts are tight. on the 500's they have a habit of working loose, so the header rattles even if the exhaust is not leaking.

[ace.cafe]

Yep, I got that from the other posts. Is it likely that the gear lash can cause the tappet noise? I'm trying to imagine why that would be the case. Just want to be sure it's worth persuing before I start pulling stuff apart. + I have no real idea how noisy they should be before I start worrying about it.
Cheers.
s

Cam lash is a minor contributor to noise. Also, if it is making noise, the gears have already worn to that setting, so tightening lash then is probably a moot point.

I think that many UCE owners worry too much about these noises. The iron barrel sounds like a bag of spanners rattling around, and it works just fine.

[ROVERMAN]

+100 ON THE HEADER NUTS! Ask me how i know.
Roverman.

[NorEaster]

I think that many UCE owners worry too much about these noises. The iron barrel sounds like a bag of spanners rattling around, and it works just fine.

+1 having only been a UCE owner I have come to learn that there are just some inherent noises even though everything is ok. My C5 had some tick to it and I had it checked out and was told everything is ok.

[gizzo]

Thanks guys. I get that it's noisy engine, just that this one is a new noise and am unsure whether to do something about it. When I have time I'll visit the Enfield guy and ask him to have a listen. He bunked off early yesterday.

[Kevin Mahoney]

Quite commonly that noise can be attributed to cam lash. We drove ourselves crazy trying to fix it using other "cures" until the factory had more experience with the engine. Adjusting them is absurdly easy, I would highly suggest getting the book http://www.nfieldgear.com/uce-factory-service-manual/
which you should have anyway. Basically you adjust each spindle until there is zero play between the gears yet the gears will slide into and out mesh with each other (up and down) like butter. Once you do it you will instantly see that there is only one position where both are possible.

Also there is a reason we sell shirts that say "Loud Valves Save Lives". These things are just plain loud which is part of the charm

[gizzo]

Cheers Kevin. If the GT manual comes out in book form I'll be on it like flies on shit. Is the lash like Ace says, once it's been loose for a while it's a bit late to go changing it?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Not too late at all. It is a normal adjustment over the life of the engine. No need to worry about gear wear

[ace.cafe]

It won't hurt to do it, like Kevin says. Just don't make it too tight.