Noisy tappets - won't go away

[SamsBus2012]

Hi, I need some advice on a noisy tappet (1.9 WBX) - I've read a few threads and realise that they drain down when stood for a while but even after running for a while one in paricular is sill very noisy.
I had the head gaskets changed late last summer (by a specialist) and had an oil and filter change at the same time - do the tappets need re-adjusting? How easy a job is this?

New to the wonderful world of the flat 4 so any help would be apreciated...

[ghost123uk]

Yes, you should check the tappets, it's easy (on a nice day ) and all you need to know is in our wiki information base CLICK HERE

Oh, and check that this specialist did not use synthetic or semi synth oil

[Ian Hulley]

Don't ya just LOVE the words 'VW Specialist' ... folks who couldn't find there asre with a guidebook 3 years ago are now masquerading as 'VW Specialists'

Ian

[Ralf85]

Hi, I need some advice on a noisy tappet (1.9 WBX) - I've read a few threads and realise that they drain down when stood for a while but even after running for a while one in paricular is sill very noisy.
I had the head gaskets changed late last summer (by a specialist) and had an oil and filter change at the same time - do the tappets need re-adjusting? How easy a job is this?

New to the wonderful world of the flat 4 so any help would be apreciated...

Give your van a good run on a fast road for about half an hour. Noisy tappets come with these motors as confirmed by the Haynes manual. If that doesn't work others can advise on hear. Mine did it a lot about a year ago.

[ghost123uk]

Don't ya just LOVE the words 'VW Specialist' ... folks who couldn't find there asre with a guidebook 3 years ago are now masquerading as 'VW Specialists'

He might be though, it does say he did the head gaskets and that ain't a job for a muppet to tackle successfully

[kevtherev]

The lifter may need some ajustment.
On a warmish engine rotate the engine until
TDC firing stroke (both valves shut) is reached with the noisy lifter.
Depress the rockers one of them will feel squashy.
Back it off until it is just touching the valve stem
Then turn it in 1 1/2 to two turns.
Run the engine
If it still remains noisy replacement is the only option.

[chrisevans]

Make sure you have the right oil in it then take it for a longish drive as others have said. At least half an hour should do it.

[SamsBus2012]

To everyone who has contributed, many thanks. I'll take the van for a bit of a run at the weekend (on the assumption I've earned a pass!) and see if that clears it - if not I'll consult the wiki and get my hands dirty. By the way, "the specialist" was Nigel Allen in Newquay who came highly rated and when I visited his workshop certainly struck me as someone who knew where his a*** was. I think the problem has almost certainly come from a lack of use/time on my part as it was running as sweet as a nut in October and November last year. I'll post an update once progress made - thanks again.

[SamsBus2012]

Sorry - meant to post this update ages ago - Sure enough, 20 minute run down the A38 to plymouth and back and noisy tappet nnow quiet. Thanks for the tips!

[ghost123uk]

Thanks for taking the time to post the update, glad it's ok now

[Ralf85]

Sorry - to post this update ages ago - Sure enough, 20 minute run down the A38 to plymouth and back and noisy tappet nnow quiet. Thanks for the tips!

Excellent news. Those tappets eh! It might happen again occasionally, but now you know how to solve the problem.

[California Dreamin]

When this happens 'for the first time' new owners read the 'many comments' written on this subject but can't quite believe just HOW BAD this can be and just HOW LONG THEY TAKE TO CLEAR!

Comments like..I've taken it for a drive and it's still the same, are common. What they don't tell you is they went half a mile around the block and were so shi..t scared that something was being damaged that they headed straight back home again!.

This 'Tappet Syndrome' isn't something new or that occurred with age as I can assure you they used to do this BRAND NEW on pre-delivery inspection.......quite disconcerting RED LINING a brand new Transporter which has delivery miles only, on the clock but that's often what it would take to silence them (not that I would advise you do that now). Just bare in mind you get about an hour to do the PDI so 40 minute test drives are out of the question if you want to hit bonus.

Martin