noisy tappets?

[JP1]

You will have seen my posting up a couple of weeks back where I couldn't get my engine to run . Having sorted out that problem I now have a more serious concern. When I first got it going there was a loud clatter which went away after a few seconds - I presumed this was the tappets. The engine turned over very sweetly although I only let her run for a couple of minutes. I've done this about 4 times (start-up and running for no more than 3-4 mins) now however the engine is no longer turning sweetly - she starts up immediately and settles into a nice idle , the loud clatter of the tappets clear but there seems to be a noticeable mechanical noise coming from the driver side of the engine and it becomes raucous on lightly revving the engine. This engine has not done many miles (ie 15k) and I've changed the oil and filter with good quality lucas oil; there is absolutely no end-float, the oil pressure picks up immediately but she had been standing a while. Are the hydraulic tappets prone to wear or sticking? is this noise normal for this type of engine (can't think it is...)? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated . Thanks John

[Red1600i]

10 minutes driving will solve the problem.

A long time standing around make this noise, the valve train looses the oil pressure inside the tappets and air comes in.

Use the 1600i every day and the right amount of oil and the noise stays away.

[JP1]

thanks again. will give it a go....

[phade]

Also make sure that the oil is topped up to max. The engine will also rattle if there's not enough oil within the engine.

If the rattling does not disappear, then you may need to add molyslip to the engine oil, drive it for 300 km (200 miles) and change the oil and oil filter. Use 15W40 mineral oil.