11 replies to this topic

[Joethechippy]

Hi all.

I'm sure this subject has been talked about a lot but i couldn't find much usefull info when i did a quick search.

I've done my tappets a few times today, setting the gaps at 0.30. Adjusting valve clearance 1, when valve 8 is fully open (at its highist point) and so on...as it says in my Haynes manual. But i can't seem to rid of the tappy sound when the engine is running. It seem to run fine, it just sounds a bit too tappy for my liking.

could this just be engine wear? Its only done about 50-60k. Or am i doing something wrong?
I am turning the engine over by turning the front wheel (i removed the spark plugs and jacked up the front of the car...pushing the car and watching the head at the same time is very awkward on your own)

any input apreciated,
Cheers

98 mpi standard rover cooper

[rids]

.30 sounds big, is that mm or imperial. I'm sure i used to set them to 12 or 15 thou.(.3mm is about 12 thou are you using right feeler gauges)

Edited by rids, 05 January 2013 - 02:19 PM.

[A-Cell]

Maybe one or more of the rockers is worn, it could be grooved where it contacts he valve, so when you put the feeler gauge in you are not measuring the true gap. Effectively the feeler gauge is bridging the groove and masking the real clearance. Assuming you have standard rockers, loosen one off completely, and slide it off the valve and inspect the surface, then you can assess how worn they are.
You could set the clearances using a dial gauge indicator, that way you will eliminate the effect of any grooving.
Overall though better to have it a bit "tappety" sounding than risk too tight a clearance and cause damage. Hope this helps.

[Joethechippy]

thanks for the replies guys.

Rids. The haynes says the valve clearances (inlet and exhaust) on 1996 models onwards should be 0.27 to 0.33mm. So i'm using metric gauges.

A-Cell. ok i'll take a closer look at the rockers. So am i correct in saying that, the bigger the gap, the more tappety the engine sounds..? So maybe reducing the gap slightly might make it less tappety? I always thought that the tighter the gap...the more tappety the engine sounds

[garrymacmini]

Basically the gap widens over time which causes the tap

[Joethechippy]

ok, yes that does makes more sense. Thanks :)

[A-Cell]

Been busy. Yes too big a gap increases the tappet noise. Imperial gaps should be 12thou But you could reduce them to 10thou which a little less than the 0.27mm. I assume you have a 0.30mm feeler gauge so use this., erring on the tight side.

[Joethechippy]

Had another go yesterday and it sounds much nicer now.

Yes i used a 0.30mm feeler gauge, but this time i adjusted them so the gauge was a tight fit rather than a slide fit (i couldn't get to 0.27-0.29mm with the gauges i've got) Still a very slight tappy sound but i'm happy with that...it is a mini after all. I can't hear it when i'm in the car driving so thats the main thing.

cheers

[A-Cell]

It's one of the A series engine traits!! Enjoy

[garrymacmini]

you want to hear mine lol running in after rebuild like a gatling gun!

[Joethechippy]

haha yeah, certainly turns heads ;)

[A-Cell]

you want to hear mine lol running in after rebuild like a gatling gun!

No like a Mini! Mini designed and built in the UK for the pleasure of millions. Gatling gun designed and built in America for the destruction of millions!