noisey hydraulic tappet

Post by **paulw** » 04 Sep 2006, 12:44

Since buying my 1986 t25 1.9 watercooled camper last year it has always had an intermitent noisey hyd tappet. On most start ups its smooth and quiet but other times it sound like a old boat and runs v ruff. This time the clanking dosnt seem to want to go. No doubt this has been asked before but:
1. Is there a quick fix/ additive / or whatever ?
2. How difficult is replacing the things and can it be done with the engine still in place ?

Any advice please.
Thanks

Post by **kevtherev** » 04 Sep 2006, 13:19

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... d_in_place

Post by **toomanytoys** » 04 Sep 2006, 13:49

If you look down the pages, there are several posts about this..
One question, what oil you running it on? They dont like anything less than a 15W40 and tired engines need a 20w50, Castrol GTX works well tooand is a 15w50

Post by **Dan Wood** » 04 Sep 2006, 16:07

Just have a look at your rockers... They might be hanging off at one end - mine were!

Post by **paulw** » 05 Sep 2006, 06:49

Thanks for all the advise, i'm using VW's 15/40 oil and gen filter, so think my winter project will be to sort them out once and for all.
Dont think the 'rockers' will be hanging off as when the lifter does fill with oil, as it did on most start ups, the engine runs smooth and well.
Would like to find the definitive guide to changing hydraulic lifters without removing the head, and set up, somewhere so if anyone knows please let me know. Thanks

Post by **paulw** » 05 Sep 2006, 07:13

Oh one last thing! would or can anyone recommend using an engine flush or additive, i know there are some on the market but remember reading not to use them on older engines, Thanks

Post by **Dan Wood** » 05 Sep 2006, 16:33

I'd be avoiding all that additive stuff myself...

As for the tappet removal, here is the gospel according to Mr. BrickYard himself:

Remove rocker cover and shaft.
Remove push rods, keep them in order and in orientation.
Destroy the push rod tube.
Remove dodgy hydraulic lifter with magnet on a stick.
Oil the bore.
Fit new lifter.

Fit telescopic push rod tube (not the same as a type 1 item, WBX specific, available from VW for £37 plus VAT if they ahve stock)

Refit pushrods in order.
Refit rocker shaft.
Torque down to 25Nm.

Set basic setting for tappets as per haynes, although I find 2 turns is too much on an engine that isn't completely drained of oil and if the tappets are still "jacked up" best to go to 1.25 or 1.5 turns.

Run engine, check for noises and misfire, some will clear in time.

Post by **paulw** » 06 Sep 2006, 12:01

Thanks Dan, i have located the offending lifter, apart from VW anyone know where i can get a telescopic push rod tube ???

Post by **jammcd649** » 12 Sep 2006, 09:24

there were some on ebay, but i ended up getting mine from VW just to be safe