JX noisy top end

[Evsi]

Evening,

Looking for any JX guru's able to cast an opinion. Did a de-coke and new head gasket on my van and re-assembled as VW intended, but i have drastically noisy tappets since. I have shimmed them all to within 0.20-0.30 in & 0.40 - 0.50 Ex (hot), but it still sounds like a bolloxed old fiesta There seems to be plenty of oil coating the journals/lobes, so i'm at a complete loss

Grateful for any thoughts.

Jon

[ELVIS]

Deffo deffo deffo tappets?

Not knocking due to pump being too far advanced?

[Evsi]

Cheers Elvis. I tried knocking it back and even tried another pump in case it was that, but no joy. I need to pick your brains about GTD pump too if you don't mind?

[ELVIS]

No worries bro.

Got one sat here as sale fell through.

Fitted one to my syncro and made helluva difference. Think Baxter tested a few JX pumps and put findings up on vwdiesel.net. After something ridiculous like 5psi they don't do anything.

Ninjatom007 bought my van if you want an independant review from someone not selling one

[California Dreamin]

Did I hear somewhere that it is possible to fit the head gasket the wrong way around.. blocking off the oil gallery to the top end.


Martin

[Evsi]

To be honest, it did cross my mind! It definitely went back together correctly, but i think the only option is to take the head off again and re re check. Don't fancy being stranded on the way to Camperjam

[California Dreamin]

I'm not completely familiar (although I should be) as to where the oil pressure can be measured....if the pressure switch is on the end of the cylinder head then you could fit an oil pressure gauge and measure what pressure you have.

Martin

[HarryMann]

De-coke...
Wow that's an old phrase not heard much these days!

I'm sure there is a top end oil sender for the DOPWS that could be transduced to a pressure somewhere.

Back of the head... may have a 'Grey' coded DOPWS sender in it.

[ELVIS]

To be honest, it did cross my mind! It definitely went back together correctly, but i think the only option is to take the head off again and re re check. Don't fancy being stranded on the way to Camperjam

Don't do that, just have a look where the 'tab' is with the notches/holes/markings are. Is it closer to the rear bumper or front bumper ends of the engine?

[HarryMann]

There's piccies somewhere if you do a search... maybe in the Tech Archive.
Was a van in Bristol about two years ago that a garage fitted gasket incorrectly.

[Oldiebut goodie]

If it is on the wrong way the protruding bulge with the notches will be to the left of the hole/bolt position.

[Evsi]

Thanks for all the replies folks!

Gasket is definitely fitted correctly (had the Top/Oben mark) and is identical to the old one. I'll try finding an oil pressure gauge before the weekend and check what it's got up top. I'm starting to think that there may be a bit of swarf or old gasket blocking a gallery.