noisy tappet

Post by **Fox McIntyre** » 10 Apr 2007, 12:23

To avoid posting a new thread about tappets and oils and such, I changed my oil recently for GTX high milage (10-40 semi-syn) to a 15-50 mineral, and adjusted the valve clearances, and now the van smokes like a bugg3r on cold start and rattles just as much. (tis 1.9 DG also) I'm aware that a lifter or 8 might be knackered, but what is more likely to be causing the smoke? It never smoked on the thinner semi synthetic oil so why should it on the mineral oil? or is it in some way linked to me mucking with the rockers? Help! its driving me mad! Should I just go back to the GTX and see if it continues to smoke?

Post by **BMEC** » 16 Apr 2007, 20:49

I have a 1.9DG which I've had since new in 1985 and it has done the noisy tappet 'thing' something like 40 or 50 times at irregular intervals over those 22 years. It usually goes away in half a mile or so but has gone on sometimes for 4 to 6 miles before it shuts up. It doesn't seem to matter whether it has been used a lot or a little. It stands in a level garage whenever it's not in use and I've never used synthetic oil, always 20/50 or similar.
The good thing is that it still goes as well as ever and my advice is to stop worrying as long as it does shut up eventually.

Post by **kevtherev** » 16 Apr 2007, 21:23

welcome BMEC

Post by **toomanytoys** » 17 Apr 2007, 07:33

For most of the forum a good branded mineral oil is more than adequate something like the Castrol 15w50 is ideal as it has a good API rating and good spread of viscosity.. if your motor is particularly tired then a 20w50 is about as good as it gets..
I wouldnt be tempted to run anything less than a 10w40 as the clearances within the engine (even new) are a little too large..

I think where people (and I have) are saying dont use Synth is because the general availability is in the thinner end, which is too low for our old engines...

I would use semi/full synth if I could get hold of the right grade for sensible money, as I tend to drive for long distances at high rpm and in higher ambient temperatures.. (Need to have a chat Andy) and as Andy states Synths are much better at holding it together..
Until then, I will continue to use Castrol GTX 15w50 and change regularly...

Oh Meant to add.. the rattley tappet is common and if it goes away after a short drive, then ignore it..

As for "valve adjustments"... what procedure did you use and are you sure you did each cylinder on TDC?? only need to use 1/2 turn from just touching as the preload.. NOT the 2 turns as stated in the Haynes..

Post by **Fox McIntyre** » 20 Apr 2007, 17:56

toomanytoys wrote:As for "valve adjustments"... what procedure did you use and are you sure you did each cylinder on TDC?? only need to use 1/2 turn from just touching as the preload.. NOT the 2 turns as stated in the Haynes..

was told 1/4 to 1/2 turn from touching, and made that adjustment. I also checked the oil I was previously running on and its not 10-40 its actually 15-40.. Is this a better bet?

Post by **Dan Wood** » 20 Apr 2007, 18:19

Fox McIntyre wrote:I was previously running on and its not 10-40 its actually 15-40.. Is this a better bet?

15/40 is what Si Baxter told me to use in my 1.9DG lump, so I'm sure it will do!