Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all. Can anyone tell me on a 2.1i 1988 t25 do you ajust the tappets or are they selfe ajusting. Ive looked a wiki but cant find anything, knowing me i more than likely went past it and did'nt notice it. Thanks

They are self adjusting (unless an engine reconditioned or tuner has swapped them for solid ones, unlikely but not unheard of)

All you need to know is here = http://www.ratwell.com/technical/HydraulicLifters.html That link is from the wiki by the way but to be fair, who ever put it there used the American term "Lifters" instead of Tappets

E D I T = I have edited the wiki so the word "Tappets" is now included, for search purposes.

Hi Nostalgic. Yes, they are self-adjusting to a point, but only if correctly pre-loaded in the first place.
(They don't need attention very often once correctly set up). I always check them on any newly purchased van, and they almost always need adjustment.
See HERE for a good explanation of why correct set up is important, and how to do it.
(You can ignore all the other tuning tips re. AFR etc as they are for older carb engines, not your injected DJ.)

So the quick way is:
Remove both rocker covers
turn engine by hand to No1 TDC, (remove dizzy cap and check rotor arm pointing at No1)
adjust both valves on No1
turn engine backwards (ACW) to No2 - adjust No2
Go to other side, turn engine backwards to No3 and adjust it, same again and do No4.
Rocker covers back on and dizzy cap on - you're done. Fire her up and listen. If they were way out it may take a while for them to self adjust (pump up or bleed down as applicable), and your engine should quieten to that lovely Boxer burble.
PS I always make a note of the number of turns out when backing off, to compare with the correct setting of 1.5 turns in from just touching. You'll then know which were out last time if you have any problems in the future (eg helps spot a lifter on the way out, unusually rapid wear in valve train, adjuster head "mushrooming" or valve seat recession).

Oops Ghost beat me to it! Anyway, no matter. You're sorted

Do you prefer to do final settings on a warm engine ? or do you find it makes no difference ?

ajsimmo wrote:Oops Ghost beat me to it! Anyway, no matter. You're sorted

Don't you just hate it when that happens, when you just spent ages composing a reply

ghost123uk wrote: Don't you just hate it when that happens, when you just spent ages composing a reply

Yep. Was amazed to see it took me 18 minutes to write it, but that did include going to make a brew

I usually run the engine for a few minutes to make sure followers/lifters/tappets are pumped up, leave for a while to cool, then adjust. So yes, slightly warm engine. Keeps your fingers warm too this time of year.

You working today ?

Thank's guy's as always great help, im more used to Morris minors & Minis so very new to these. The main reason for asking was that i was at our local garage picking up our van and the garage guy said they needed doing then about 1/4 mile down the road they went quite and sound great so i was a bit puzzled so thanks for putting my mind straight on that. I like to know a bit about what im driving when i have to go a garage so i know a little of what they are talking about thanks again.

hydraulic lifters (tappets) will drain down with lack of use/short trips/poor oil/wrong oil/poor oil pressure/or weak return spring.

If they don't quieten down after a half hour vigorous driving they need adjustment or replacement or usually an oil change (15w 40 mineral or 20w 50 in the summer)

Thank's for that Kev that explains a lot.

.