33 replies to this topic

[dotnose2]

hopefully get a chance to check the valve clearences today, what should they be? is it 12thou and 15 thou exhaust?
Thanks

[dotnose2]

Can anyone comfirm this for me before I open it up? Thanks

Also am I right in saying when the rocker arm is down and the least amount of spring showing, this is the valve fully open?

Edited by dotnose2, 24 September 2012 - 10:34 AM.

[jaydee]

Set them following the rule of 9.
http://www.theminifo...arance-tappets/
its really not necessary to waste your time on alterantor or such stuff i really dont know the reason why the guy turns the engine that way. Just remove spark plugs, put it in 4th gear and spin the car back and forth..
Dont use metric tools, and clearance should be 12 thou, opening up the exhausts to 14 thou is for modified engines to help valve seats preservation.

[dotnose2]

Thanks mate that's just what I needed.. So set inlet and exhaust to 12 thou?

[jaydee]

If its a standard engine then yes :)

[dotnose2]

Ok, it's just I seen a post on that thread you linked to someone said for a 12a engine it should be 12 inlet 15 exhaust.. I believe I have a 12A it a 2000 mpi.

[jaydee]

I've just given a check to the manual (it didnt mention MG metro engine which has different settings but yours an MPI so no problem here)
Quote from the manual:


Valve clearances
Inlet and exhaust (engine cold):
All engine types except 12A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.30 mm
12A engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.33 to 0.38 mm

So converted in good old imperial 13 thou inlets and 15 exhausts.

[jamesmpi]

The quickest way to turn the engine over I find is to jack one of the front wheels up so it is just off the ground, but the car in 4th and then turn the wheel. Easy

[dotnose2]

Thanks for you help guys.. So all valves bar one were set as the should, no. 1 was set to 16 thou instead of 15. Sorted that checker for broken gasket/manifold all seems ok.. And I've still got the same noise no change at all.. Going to give it new plugs but I did notice they were very sooty.. What is this from?

[jamesmpi]

Have you driven the car recently? Or just been starting it up on your drive way?

If the latter then I might be because the engine is cold and running on full choke.....

But it's more likely to be because they are old and need replacing. When were they last changed?

[dotnose2]

Yeah it hasn't been driven only started up on the drive.. It's got service history up to 2005 were they was changed.. Nothing else after the so I really wouldn't know.. I'll get some new ones tomoro any way.. Is there much else the noise could Be after checking tappets an exhaust manifold?

Also may be a silly question but should there be play at the rear of the rocker between the rod and rocker after it has been set to its clearance? As mine have and thought maybe that's making the noise?

Edited by dotnose2, 24 September 2012 - 05:43 PM.

[jaydee]

Some play is normal, depends how much is it. Sintered rockers also suffer from wear issues, making them sound tappety even when correctly adjusted.
Since it has been stood for some months, fill up with some quality fuel (not tesco, fill up with shell v-power) and replace HT leads and spark plugs with the correct type. Get out for a good drive, no less than 50 miles, and see if noise disappears.

Edited by jaydee, 26 September 2012 - 08:58 AM.

[dotnose2]

So fitted new plugs and leads, been out and done 70 miles noise still te same no change. Oil level good, manifold ect. I've got a de cat pipe could this alter anything to give me this problem?

[Dylan8660]

Buy a Haynes manual for your year of car, and read it, really. One other thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is the injectors themselves, they can be noisy and you say your car has been laid up for sometime, some addative like redex wont do them any harm. My money would be on the tappets still though as it sounds like your not quiet sure about the what and why of adjusting them.

[dotnose2]

I'll get some redex and see how I go.. Got a Haynes manual and adjusted valves as shown in it I'm pretty sure there done correctly.. I may try adjusting them to 14 thou and see if that changes anything