Ticking V8?

Hi,

I'm trying to get to know my P38 HSE. I've so far covered 350 miles, and have started to pick out a few things that I want to check out.
The main thing is the ticking!
It's there on idle very quietly. Under acceleration it's louder etc. Only really noticable with the roof or something open in a built up area.
I don't think this is right - is it the manifold gasket?
Second on idle, a squeek - from a pully I think, any ideas?
Thirdly, should I be worried about a few spots of gimy oily water on the ground when parked up for the day? Is this a normal thing to not be bone dry?

Thanks,
Phil

Well, ironic I read this. I've just plugged up the MINUTEST air leak from my left hand manifold on my 3.9 classic. It would be really (sic) annoying! like night and day now that it's fixed, and a gorgeous V8 burble down the pipes if you stick your head under the car.

Get a vacuum cleaner hose (may need the solid bits if you run out of arm ) and fire it up, run it all over the engine first to eliminate that, and then start on the 'zorst. I found it to be at the join from the downpipe to the Y pipe, undid the joint, started up, felt for the leak, plugged it and enjoyed a silent exhaust as it hardened!

I'll have to give that a try. I had a go at the screwdriver on the top of the cam cover, - not sure how effective that is though. Seemed scilent enough down there.
Is it reletivley simple to get to the exhaust gaskets?
Thanks,
Phil

Very, the whole thing detaches in sections

Excellent. I'm always a bit scared when I have a new car with a new engine!!
Especially as this engine is the 'proper' way round, unlike all the FWD's I've had before!

lol! The exhaust is very easy to remove, provided you have a socket set and are careful of lambda sensors etc.

Where abouts are the Lambada sensors? Are they on the downpipe?

I'm not sure on the p38 to be honest.

Okay, no prob. I wish they made a Haynes for the P38!!

hi some of the p38s had upsteam and down steam oxy sensors,so check for pre cat and after cat sensors,the cats are at the bottom of the down pipes right at the front 1st box, tiga.

Cheers.
Took it to my garage today. They confirmed it was manifold related. From loose bolts to gasket to cracked manifold itself?!
Something for the weekend!!