Hydraulic tappet adjustment, a few questions

[ed_the_robot]

Hey everyone.

I am going to change the oil on our Aircooled ct camper rather soon.

First off, oil, i was going to use 15w 40 mineral oil, best idea? I've also seen 20 50 recommended and this is what i have used to top her up since owning her. (One year of use, done only 2500 is miles!)

Onto the main questions I have

She has one noisy hydraulic lifter. I think its the number 1 cylinder. Looking into the engine bay, number 1 is the right hand side, closest to the bulkhead yes?

It never gets as quiet as it should. The other 3 dont make a sound.

Looking at the ratwell guide, i need to rotate the engine to tdc with the rotor arm pointing to cylinder 1. I can then make the adjustment on cylinder ones valves. Correct?

Do i then rotate the engine until tdc for cylinder 2, then 3 etc..?

Never touched those bits yet, but the noise is niggling me and making me think if i act now, i will have a happier engine.

I'll do the oil change first, along with the filter. Ive also got a new oil strainer. Maybe that'll be enough to shut the thing up

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Welcome to the Happy CT owners bit...

These videos may help..

CT engine..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-5bNznf6-4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfFdwXT-IPU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




'Looking at the ratwell guide, i need to rotate the engine to tdc with the rotor arm pointing to cylinder 1. I can then make the adjustment on cylinder ones valves. Correct?

Do i then rotate the engine until tdc for cylinder 2, then 3 etc..? '



Right.. mark with Tippex or similar the timing notch on the fan pulley..(it will take a bit of finding..)..

Now crank round the engine (24 mm socket on hub nut) to turn the engine (with spark-plugs out is easier).. until the tippex notch is at about 11.15 'o'clock and the brass bit on the rotor arm is pointing to it.

Now you are at tdc. Mark a V at the bottom of the pulley, so you can see when it is at the 'up' point.

Rocker covers off.. and move to nr 1 cylinder..( the cylinder numbers are marked on the tinware)

Check to see that the visible thread bit of the adjusters is about the same on all the rockers..

Now come 2 tips...

Because the CT has a large fan hub nut you can do your valve timing clockwise with the rotor.. ie 1432

or...

go anticlockwise in 1/2 turns from Nr 1..and you go 1234.. meaning you can do all of one side in 1 go..

Secondly..

Go through one cycle entirely, and try levering the rocker bar away from the valve top.. there should be no play,..

but if it is 'squashy'.. then you have either a bad setting or a draining tappet..

There is normally little need to adjust...

Get good quality gaskets, seals and oil filters..

Have a look before hand to see if your sump plate has a proper drain nut.. if not get a new one ready..

Oil ......I leave to the many experts out there .. a good quality mineral multi-grade will do ..

Hope this helps..

Cordialement..

[VWKat]

Before you change the engine oil, add an engine cleaning detergent and run as per instructions. This can help remove any deposits built up in the hydraulic tappets. I did this once and it worked.

[ed_the_robot]

Thanks guys!

I'll be doing my oil change soon, I will report back my results

Thanks for the detailed instructions sarran, very much appreciated as always!

Ed.