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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 17:57:16

Title: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 17:57:16
I am amazed!!  For years I have used a mixture of supermarket fuel and top brands.  Never noticed much of a difference between the two so have tended to go for the cheapest at the time.

Since I serviced my latest Omega a few months ago I have had a 'tappet like noise', which at high revs, low gear could be quite noticable.  Even repeated oil changes every 3k miles didn't shift it, with the followers still making the noise.

Four weeks ago, unusually when my tank was virtually empty, I filled my tank to the brim at an ESSO station that is in Canterbury, which continually matches the supermarket petrol prices to the lowest rates I know currently in my part of Kent (currently 115.9 a litre of unleaded).  A few miles down the road after filling up the 'tapping' had gone, and has still not returned even now after filling up again with ESSO.

I know some will say "I told you so" about supermarket fuel, but this is the first time the main branded petrol has had such an affect.

I am amazed and very pleased! :o :o :y :y :y :y :y :y

So if anyone is currently suffering from lifter noise problems, this may just be one answer. 8-) 8-) 8-) 
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Jaymd on 01 December 2010, 18:06:11
heyy its going to sound really silly but whats lifters lol :)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 18:15:00
Quote
heyy its going to sound really silly but whats lifters lol :)


They are the round pieces of metal that sit between the top of the valves and follow the cam on the shaft as it turns; most commonly known as follows ;) ;)  They replaced the earlier technoligy that I was trained on of  push rods, tappets and the valves they pushed down. :D
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: davethediver on 01 December 2010, 18:22:35
Quote
I am amazed!!  For years I have used a mixture of supermarket fuel and top brands.  Never noticed much of a difference between the two so have tended to go for the cheapest at the time.

Since I serviced my latest Omega a few months ago I have had a 'tappet like noise', which at high revs, low gear could be quite noticable.  Even repeated oil changes every 3k miles didn't shift it, with the followers still making the noise.

Four weeks ago, unusually when my tank was virtually empty, I filled my tank to the brim at an ESSO station that is in Canterbury, which continually matches the supermarket petrol prices to the lowest rates I know currently in my part of Kent (currently 115.9 a litre of unleaded).  A few miles down the road after filling up the 'tapping' had gone, and has still not returned even now after filling up again with ESSO.

I know some will say "I told you so" about supermarket fuel, but this is the first time the main branded petrol has had such an affect.

I am amazed and very pleased! :o :o :y :y :y :y :y :y

So if anyone is currently suffering from lifter noise problems, this may just be one answer. 8-) 8-) 8-) 

I may just have to have a try lizzy as the local Tesco I use is charging 118.9 so no cheaper than the branded garages really :-/ :-/
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 18:23:44
Quote
Quote
I am amazed!!  For years I have used a mixture of supermarket fuel and top brands.  Never noticed much of a difference between the two so have tended to go for the cheapest at the time.

Since I serviced my latest Omega a few months ago I have had a 'tappet like noise', which at high revs, low gear could be quite noticable.  Even repeated oil changes every 3k miles didn't shift it, with the followers still making the noise.

Four weeks ago, unusually when my tank was virtually empty, I filled my tank to the brim at an ESSO station that is in Canterbury, which continually matches the supermarket petrol prices to the lowest rates I know currently in my part of Kent (currently 115.9 a litre of unleaded).  A few miles down the road after filling up the 'tapping' had gone, and has still not returned even now after filling up again with ESSO.

I know some will say "I told you so" about supermarket fuel, but this is the first time the main branded petrol has had such an affect.

I am amazed and very pleased! :o :o :y :y :y :y :y :y

So if anyone is currently suffering from lifter noise problems, this may just be one answer. 8-) 8-) 8-) 

I may just have to have a try lizzy as the local Tesco I use is charging 118.9 so no cheaper than the branded garages really :-/ :-/


Yes that is why it is a good time to try it out Dave.  The results may amaze you :D :D ;)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: davethediver on 01 December 2010, 18:27:04
So what are we calling branded petrol then??

ESSO
Shell
BP
Texaco

And did you use the premium stuff or just the normal petrol?
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 18:32:20
Quote
So what are we calling branded petrol then??

ESSO
Shell
BP
Texaco

And did you use the premium stuff or just the normal petrol?


As stated ESSO, and of the standard unleaded variety ;) ;)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Jimbob on 01 December 2010, 18:32:22
Ive always been a hater of supermarket, (well Tesco's to be honest) petrol.  My last few cars have never run well on it. 
(see the heads clean v dirty thread in faq)
Been underpowered, and ran rough.

Anyway, weve just has a morrisons open up at the end of the road, and their petrol has been that cheap with offers, it would have been criminal not to try it....

Virtually no difference to shell!  I think the car is ever so slightly 'less powerful' than with shell, but barely noticable, and it certainly runs smoothly enough.

I'm pretty much converted, unless Morrisons is less than 1p cheaper, thats what mine is getting now.   Will keep up the forte treatment / occasional vpower for cleaning regardless.
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Andyb on 01 December 2010, 18:40:58
im just a little confuddled
if its tappet noise you had how would petrol effect this, as the lifters are oil fed unless the esso fuel has burnt off the carbon and the valves are now seating as they should :-/
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Del Boy on 01 December 2010, 18:47:08
Quote
I am amazed!!  For years I have used a mixture of supermarket fuel and top brands.  Never noticed much of a difference between the two so have tended to go for the cheapest at the time.

Since I serviced my latest Omega a few months ago I have had a 'tappet like noise', which at high revs, low gear could be quite noticable.  Even repeated oil changes every 3k miles didn't shift it, with the followers still making the noise.

Four weeks ago, unusually when my tank was virtually empty, I filled my tank to the brim at an ESSO station that is in Canterbury, which continually matches the supermarket petrol prices to the lowest rates I know currently in my part of Kent (currently 115.9 a litre of unleaded).  A few miles down the road after filling up the 'tapping' had gone, and has still not returned even now after filling up again with ESSO.

I know some will say "I told you so" about supermarket fuel, but this is the first time the main branded petrol has had such an affect.

I am amazed and very pleased! :o :o :y :y :y :y :y :y

So if anyone is currently suffering from lifter noise problems, this may just be one answer. 8-) 8-) 8-) 

ESSO in Canterbury is where I generally tend to get my fuel from LZ, it's good quality fuel from there, and it's the cheapest in Kent that I know of  :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: TheBoy on 01 December 2010, 18:47:43
I too fail to see how it could affect lifters, only valves...
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 18:48:57
Quote
im just a little confuddled
if its tappet noise you had how would petrol effect this, as the lifters are oil fed unless the esso fuel has burnt off the carbon and the valves are now seating as they should :-/

I was puzzling that at first Andy, and I am certainly no expert on fuel.  But my thoughts were that the additives in ESSO fuel may have cleaned certain parts of the engine (as you say maybe, and especially the valve seatings) and now it is working extra efficiently.  I seem to have noticed an improvement in response, and the running I swear is smoother, although it was far from bad before!

All the advertising promotes the idea of fuel additives improving the performance of your engine.  So maybe that, for once, it what I have witnessed.  The tappety noise has certain gone 8-) 8-) 8-)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Andyb on 01 December 2010, 18:52:34
hi lizzie
im not disputing the difference in the car honest but it could be a placebo effect after all the work you have done on the car could it be a coincidence that the lifter have become effective now at the same time as the new fuel was used
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 18:57:47
Quote
hi lizzie
im not disputing the difference in the car honest but it could be a placebo effect after all the work you have done on the car could it be a coincidence that the lifter have become effective now at the same time as the new fuel was used


Thanks Andy, but no whilst driving before that big fill up at ESSO the tappety noise had been there since I first bought the vehicle, but not very noticable and only at high revs. I did the service, and the noise seemed to grow at times.  Filled up as I stated many weeks later, and literally a few miles down the road, the noise went.

Coincidence?  Well always possible of course.  But it would bean amazing coincidence that it disappeared at that precise time. :D :D
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: amba on 01 December 2010, 19:03:56
I have a job in Canterbury on Friday(weather permitting) so I will visit the watering hole..is it the 1 on Wincheap opposite the little parade of shops ?..good old diy shop there as well.
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 01 December 2010, 19:28:01
Quote
I have a job in Canterbury on Friday(weather permitting) so I will visit the watering hole..is it the 1 on Wincheap opposite the little parade of shops ?..good old diy shop there as well.


Yep Amba, that's the one in Windcheap :y :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: djac on 02 December 2010, 15:06:12
Quote
Quote
hi lizzie
im not disputing the difference in the car honest but it could be a placebo effect after all the work you have done on the car could it be a coincidence that the lifter have become effective now at the same time as the new fuel was used


Thanks Andy, but no whilst driving before that big fill up at ESSO the tappety noise had been there since I first bought the vehicle, but not very noticable and only at high revs. I did the service, and the noise seemed to grow at times.  Filled up as I stated many weeks later, and literally a few miles down the road, the noise went.

Coincidence?  Well always possible of course.  But it would bean amazing coincidence that it disappeared at that precise time. :D :D

Could it have been pinking? (nothing to do with DLK of course  :) )
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 02 December 2010, 15:10:01
Quote
Quote
Quote
hi lizzie
im not disputing the difference in the car honest but it could be a placebo effect after all the work you have done on the car could it be a coincidence that the lifter have become effective now at the same time as the new fuel was used


Thanks Andy, but no whilst driving before that big fill up at ESSO the tappety noise had been there since I first bought the vehicle, but not very noticable and only at high revs. I did the service, and the noise seemed to grow at times.  Filled up as I stated many weeks later, and literally a few miles down the road, the noise went.

Coincidence?  Well always possible of course.  But it would bean amazing coincidence that it disappeared at that precise time. :D :D

Could it have been pinking? (nothing to do with DLK of course  :) )


No it was not pinking,  In fact the performance was good (just seemingly better now) and did everything I expected of a 3.0 miggy, apart from make the tappet type noise! :D :D ;)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 02 December 2010, 16:05:53
In theory the better fuel could have improved top end lube/cleaning properties, this may be curing any sticking of the valve stems to the guides and reducing load on the followers.
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Debs. on 02 December 2010, 16:41:01
Quote
Quote
I have a job in Canterbury on Friday(weather permitting) so I will visit the watering hole..is it the 1 on Wincheap opposite the little parade of shops ?..good old diy shop there as well.


Yep Amba, that's the one in Windcheap :y :y

When I`m visiting Canterbury, I`ve found that the Esso station over by ASDA on the Sturry Road is also quite good at matching supermarket prices. :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 02 December 2010, 16:45:59
Quote
In theory the better fuel could have improved top end lube/cleaning properties, this may be curing any sticking of the valve stems to the guides and reducing load on the followers.


Now that sounds very plausable Mark, and could well explain it! :y :y :y :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: PhilRich on 02 December 2010, 19:43:27
Just had a call from Esso lizzie, they want to know where to send back the pair of castanettes that fell off your car when you filled up! ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 02 December 2010, 20:13:33
Quote
Just had a call from Esso lizzie, they want to know where to send back the pair of castanettes that fell off your car when you filled up! ;D ;D ;)


Very good Phil! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Martin_1962 on 02 December 2010, 21:41:48
Pre tradeclub I used Esso oil, worked well in the Carlton and Esso Superlube mineral was better than the equivalent GM at the time.

That was used in a 70s designed 1600 push rod lump with ultra short stroke.

And I misread the manual and ran it with 10,000 mile oil changes :o :o
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: JohnM on 04 December 2010, 17:35:57
Lizzie,

Did you have 'follower' noise all the time before Mr Esso sorted it - or just after a minute or two after start-up?
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 04 December 2010, 17:44:42
Quote
Lizzie,

Did you have 'follower' noise all the time before Mr Esso sorted it - or just after a minute or two after start-up?


No, all the time, especially when increasing the revs ;)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Omega3 on 04 December 2010, 18:10:39
Didn't have the tappet/lifter noise on my 3.2 but always thought the car ran better on BP Ultimate. It was approx £3.50 a tankful more than my local tesco but gave me a warm feeling inside that I was treating the engine well....
Like others I can't see how fuel would free off sticking lifters as I had that problem on a 2.7 Honda V6 and despite a dozen or so oil changes and treatments nothing would quieten them apart from the eventual (sharp intake of breath, expensive sir) head rebuild.
If it works though, keep doing it!
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: JohnM on 05 December 2010, 13:51:25
Quote
Quote
Lizzie,

Did you have 'follower' noise all the time before Mr Esso sorted it - or just after a minute or two after start-up?


No, all the time, especially when increasing the revs ;)
Ah - well credit where its due then.

Mine sometimes ticks after startup but soon goes.  That said, not been used for a week and it was a bit 'tappety' this morning until the oil got around (5 secs or so).  But given it has been a bit fresh of late I'll not worry.
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 09 December 2010, 19:38:38
UPDATE!!

Still filling up with ESSO, and my miggy has stayed very quiet when ticking over and receiving the full kick down with fast running - no tapping - runs extremely smoothly (still better than before), and it is far nippier! The MPG has also gone up by 1.5 miles urban driving:-* :-* :-*

So it was not a fluke, the ESSO fuel has made a big difference!

I will now be sticking to this fuel and the supermarket stuff is relegated to emergency fill ups only :y :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: PhilRich on 09 December 2010, 21:22:32
Quote
UPDATE!!

Still filling up with ESSO, and my miggy has stayed very quiet when ticking over and receiving the full kick down with fast running - no tapping - runs extremely smoothly (still better than before), and it is far nippier! The MPG has also gone up by 1.5 miles urban driving:-* :-* :-*

So it was not a fluke, the ESSO fuel has made a big difference!

I will now be sticking to this fuel and the supermarket stuff is relegated to emergency fill ups only :y :y



Yes, yes Lizzie that's all very well, but what about these castanettes! The girls at the ESSO station still haven't heard from you & are threatening to put them on a certain auction site unless you reclaim them asap!  :(
 ;D ;D ;D ;)


(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/philrich1064/Picforpost.jpg)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 09 December 2010, 21:23:48
Quote
Quote
UPDATE!!

Still filling up with ESSO, and my miggy has stayed very quiet when ticking over and receiving the full kick down with fast running - no tapping - runs extremely smoothly (still better than before), and it is far nippier! The MPG has also gone up by 1.5 miles urban driving:-* :-* :-*

So it was not a fluke, the ESSO fuel has made a big difference!

I will now be sticking to this fuel and the supermarket stuff is relegated to emergency fill ups only :y :y



Yes, yes Lizzie that's all very well, but what about these castanettes! The girls at the ESSO station still haven't heard from you & are threatening to put them on a certain auction site unless you reclaim them asap!  :(
 ;D ;D ;D ;)


(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/philrich1064/Picforpost.jpg)


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Del Boy on 10 December 2010, 00:47:55
Quote
Quote
UPDATE!!

Still filling up with ESSO, and my miggy has stayed very quiet when ticking over and receiving the full kick down with fast running - no tapping - runs extremely smoothly (still better than before), and it is far nippier! The MPG has also gone up by 1.5 miles urban driving:-* :-* :-*

So it was not a fluke, the ESSO fuel has made a big difference!

I will now be sticking to this fuel and the supermarket stuff is relegated to emergency fill ups only :y :y



Yes, yes Lizzie that's all very well, but what about these castanettes! The girls at the ESSO station still haven't heard from you & are threatening to put them on a certain auction site unless you reclaim them asap!  :(
 ;D ;D ;D ;)


(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/philrich1064/Picforpost.jpg)

Who is that woman on the right?  :o :-* :-*
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: PhilRich on 10 December 2010, 12:17:01
Quote
Quote
Quote
UPDATE!!

Still filling up with ESSO, and my miggy has stayed very quiet when ticking over and receiving the full kick down with fast running - no tapping - runs extremely smoothly (still better than before), and it is far nippier! The MPG has also gone up by 1.5 miles urban driving:-* :-* :-*

So it was not a fluke, the ESSO fuel has made a big difference!

I will now be sticking to this fuel and the supermarket stuff is relegated to emergency fill ups only :y :y



Yes, yes Lizzie that's all very well, but what about these castanettes! The girls at the ESSO station still haven't heard from you & are threatening to put them on a certain auction site unless you reclaim them asap!  :(
 ;D ;D ;D ;)


(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/philrich1064/Picforpost.jpg)

Who is that woman on the right?  :o :-* :-*
[/highlight]













Put a grand & the V5 for your old Beemer in the glovebox Del & I will give you her name & address  ;D :y
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: djac on 10 December 2010, 13:24:34
All three of those ladies look just fine to me Phil!

Although the lady on the left seems to have been caught 'between expressions'... :)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Del Boy on 10 December 2010, 14:08:48
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
UPDATE!!

Still filling up with ESSO, and my miggy has stayed very quiet when ticking over and receiving the full kick down with fast running - no tapping - runs extremely smoothly (still better than before), and it is far nippier! The MPG has also gone up by 1.5 miles urban driving:-* :-* :-*

So it was not a fluke, the ESSO fuel has made a big difference!

I will now be sticking to this fuel and the supermarket stuff is relegated to emergency fill ups only :y :y



Yes, yes Lizzie that's all very well, but what about these castanettes! The girls at the ESSO station still haven't heard from you & are threatening to put them on a certain auction site unless you reclaim them asap!  :(
 ;D ;D ;D ;)


(http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/philrich1064/Picforpost.jpg)

Who is that woman on the right?  :o :-* :-*
[/highlight]













Put a grand & the V5 for your old Beemer in the glovebox Del & I will give you her name & address  ;D :y


Done deal  :)
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: skyblue on 10 December 2010, 14:28:20
I  was once told that the petrol the supermarkets sell is the substaandard stuff that other sellers wont buy..... bottom of the barrell and the sludge is an added extra you wont want in ya car either  ;) :D
Title: Re: ESSO = No Tappet / Follower Noise!!
Post by: Del Boy on 10 December 2010, 15:37:38
 ;D ;D ;D :D :D