Quote:
Originally Posted by pmchardy
Battery 12.5 v
Lights look bright
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Suggests battery is OK, so my hypothesis was probably wrong, and it does steer one towards a mechanical problem, as others have said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seeker
... A charging system fault isn't going to make tappety noises.
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Yes, fair point (It's the one symptom I was struggling with).
Onto other possibilities: Could a cam chain tensioner have collapsed/disintegrated? I'm thinking the "tappety noise" was the cam chain slapping against the engine wall? It would also affect cam timing leading to rough running. Worst case scenario is the noise got worse as the cam chain broke apart and eventually locked the engine.
Peter, does the engine turn over by hand at all or is it locked solid? Perhaps it's worth taking the top cover off to have a look inside. (You mentioned sound seemed to be from front cylinder so I suggest start there. Also it's the easier of the two to get to - small mercies!)