Club 80-90 Forums

Hi can anyone give me the correct info on setting the tappet screws on a 1.9DG water cooled engine, as I've read lots of conflicting information.

Are they hydraulic tappets? There is a factory sticker on top of the carb that shows a diagram of the tappets and on it is says HYD but it has a big red cross through the diagram, so that's a bit confusing.

As to setting them properly, I've read numerous things: one was to wind the screws in until they touch, another said do this then unwind them 1/4 of a turn, another said unwind 1/2 a turn, another said unwind 2 turns.

If anyone can give me the definite answer it would be really appreciated, cheers!

Sticker shows adjusting a tappet with a line through it as they are HYDraulic as standard.
No guarantee yours are still hydraulic somebody recently made the mistake of assuming that.
The verdict is out on if you can hit valves on pistons if you try to preload a solid lifter.
Have a read of this, if they are hydraulic probably 1.5 turns is about right, after rotating engine to correct position (it's described in haynes also) then wind them until they touch plus a further x turns.

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

WHS ^
Also note that from just touching you wind them IN, not out. I use 1.5 turns in with pleasing results.

itchyfeet wrote:Sticker shows adjusting a tappet with a line through it as they are HYDraulic as standard.

To be more precise the sticker shows adjusting the tappets with a gap and a line through it.

Solid lifters are adjusted with a gap, hydraulic lifters are not they are adjusted to have a preload when the engine is built or overhauled then they should not really need further adjustment.