4 replies to this topic

[steve j]

Hi,
I have a tapping noise from the engine, it is speed related and while tracking it down today I found that if I put a feeler guage under the third rocker from the left it goes away. So I assume it is the Tapet. so the questions are:
would changing just the tappets solve the problem or is it likely that a new camshaft is required?
If just the tappets I asume that they can be changed with the engine in the car?
Would I also need new push rods?
I have adjusted the rocker gap to 10thou on that rocker which has helped what is the smallest gap that I could go down to?

Thanks in advance.

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

did you follow the rule of 9 ie when valve one is compressed adjust number 8/ when 4 is compressed adjust number 5

Ie count up to 9 there is a guide i made in the how to section on adjusting the tappets and a video or 2 hope that helps

if u dont follow the rule of 9 it will never be right

also You may want to see if the tappet is pitted where it has been hitting the valve, if so u can just replace the tappet thats damaged if u get stuck i have a set of tappets in the basement you can have for cheap

[Ethel]

If you unscrew the adjuster on the suspect tappet enough you should be able to slide it along the shaft to get a look at the rocker's pad and the shaft where it runs for signs of wear. If you unbolt the rocker shaft from the head you should really replace the head gasket. You can disassemble the rockers in situ by sliding the shaft out, quite a irksome job as you'll have to back off and reset all the adjuster screws to unload the valve springs.

[TimmyG]

As someone said it's likely that the rocker pad is worn, this then prevents you setting the correct valve clearances because the feeler blade 'bridges' the wear groove. If they are not too bad it is possible, with care, to clean up the wear by hand on an oil stone. Sometimes they are too worn though. It's also worth checking the rocker wear where it sits on the shaft and the shaft aswel. Any side to side slop here will also make setting the clearances diffficult. My old thou used to have a noisy tappet that faded in and out! Very annoying and difficult to trace. I think this was either the slop on the shaft thing where the rocker would get itself into a tizzy for a bit, then settle down, or maybe the cam followers/pushrods turning and 'finding' a position with more clearance. (possibly slightly bent pushrod!)

[steve j]

thanks for all your help, I swapped the rockers today, I had a spare from when I swapped the Auto to manual engine I kept the head and ancillarrys. any way the old ones were worn and it is a lot better now. did the rest of the service just got to weld a patch on the rear subframe and she is good to go again!!!

Cheers