To engine flush, or not engine flush!

[sturtywurty]

Hiya, I'm afraid I'm new to the world of T25 and have been skulking about looking at you're very useful forum for few weeks since my manic, spur of the moment purchase.

Ive got a 1.9 watercooled DG (i believe) and it makean awful clacking/tapping noise. I guessed it was the rappers and that once warmed up and run in it would shorten down.

I did just short of 300 miles to get it home, all motor way pretty much and it never made a diffirence. Ive decided it obviously needs a good servicing and have decided to crack on with new filters (oil, fuel and air), an oil change (went for some 20w50 mineral as its not so cold), bit of carb cleaner squirted around and some new fuel lines as the breathers smell a bit to get started.

'Tatty' as he's been named (when I take pictures you'll see why) came with no history, no anything bar an mot cert which said 43k (spent last 4 years hiding in a garage) but I could only guess it's been round before (although only 6k miles since about 2005) so Im quite keen on using some stp engine flush before I drop the oil and redo it but feel apprehensive about maybe causing damage (unmasking hidden problems).

What do you very knowledgable us think? Part of me feels that if it does unmask problems/kill him it's better to do it on the drive.

Any advice or opinions gladly welcomed, sarcasm too is fine and just so you know, I'm about as technical as a potato so thought this would make a fine hobby/learning experience.

[sturtywurty]

Hmm, and those spelling mistakes and random words in the wrong place is my using a mobile with predicta-wrongword isn't the best plan. Those noisy rappers :/

[kevtherev]

buy some cheap asda or aldi oil.. do a few oil changes.
Then put some morris 15w 40 mineral oil in.

you may find this exercise futile.
In that case get to know your lifters

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

this is the bible of lifters according to Richard Atwell
read it and gain power

[CovKid]

Agree with Kev on using fresh oil rather than flushing. Actually Wilko do a relatively cheap mineral engine oil too at £13 (all I use in mine anyway) which you could run through your engine. Definately have the tappets checked all round. Its not common but its possible parts of the tappet array have worked loose. Once you've worked through that you'll have a better idea of whats going on.

To help you pinpoint the source, you can use say a length of hardwood stick, press one end against your ear, and then touch parts of the engine including tappet covers. It acts like a very effective stethoscope. A long screwdriver will also work.

[sturtywurty]

Thanks guys.

I changed the oil and filters this morning and will see how I get on. Ive got a couple of rocker cover gaskets so will have a look at the tappets this coming week when i get a chance and try locate the source of the noise too.

Oh and as with everything I'm thinking I now need a new master clutch cylinder too. Had a little pool of liquid in drivers foot well (never bothered to check it out) last few days (though it was just water ingress) but after having read around this board and the fact that trying to get the beasty into gear was much more of a fight than usual (coupled with a very oily pair of pedals).

The joys of random ebay impulses!