Noisy tappets?

[s60owl]

Started up my 1983 1.9 WB Westfalia (97k miles) the other day to be greeted with a very loud tapping sound.

I have read previously about the hydraulic lifters bleeding down leading to this problem. However i was surprised to think this may be my problem as I have had the van a year and it is used regularly and not often stood for any length of time

Anyway, I have carried out an oil and filter change refilling with part syth 15w40 oil. Previous oil been in for 4k miles and was 10w40

After running the engine for about 15mins there is no reduction in the noise.

Not quite sure now what my next step should be.

1. A further oil and filter change but with an engine flush first.
2. Removal of the valve train to investigate further. Is this easily done with the engine in place or is it best to remove the lot?

Any thoughts or suggestions, thanks.

Dave

[Ian Hulley]

Use a standard 15/40 MINERAL oil and use the thing, the tappets will be quiet.

[jamesc76]

use the search thing 10000000's of results will come up, your not the first to have this fault, but first to have not found it by searching!

[kevtherev]

Drive it for half an hour after you put either 15w 40 or 20w 50 (my choice) mineral in

[Red Westie]

After running the engine for about 15mins there is no reduction in the noise

When you say running for 15 minutes do you mean 'driving'? you have to drive it with vigour! idling with an occasional reving won't do it.

Martin

[Rozzo]

take the nasty semi synth oil out immediately then fill with cheap 15w/40 oil and drive it around for 1/2 hour

[DevonAid]

It's true, you do need to give it a proper run. We crawled through London last week for ages, despite it getting warm and keeping revs up it wouldn't go away. As soon as we had a bit of open road it cleared. Seems to get its knickers in a twist if we do too many short runs. Must be the van yearning to go away. Nice here in Cornwall at the moment!