Thanks for yur views iannez, I am more worried abt the sensodrive gearbox not working correctly. The alternator gives 14 - 14.2v unloaded and down to 13.8v during gear changes. I am also getting random 'snow' modes for the gear box for no reason at all, sometimes it even comes when I start the car in the morning before I move off. The manual states that the 30 weight oil is acceptable, am using 5w30 fully syn M1 oil, oil levels r ok . I seriously don think that there is engine damage. It is clicking and tippaty tap sounds, not banging or pinging ( I think) just that the sound was never that pronounced before.