what do tappets sound like

[jimblive]

my mk1 172 has started to make a tapping noise on tickover, sounds a little bit rattley, is that the tappets?

has anyone else had this noise?

oh well i got through about a month before something else started to go wrong!

 

[Jonny Disco]

They make a tapping noise. Does it go away when the engine is properly warm (20-30 mins) ?

Check oil before you start worrying yourself.

 

[jimblive]

not sure as it has not had a long run since i noticed it, will go out for a spin tonight though. as for the oil i checked that and it has used some but not a great deal, could not really tell though as it is parked on a slope!

 

[jabba]

tap tap tap tap tap tap tap.......etc

 

[Jonny Disco]

Mine does it now and again when cold, different engine of course.

Sometimes does it for a few days after topping up the oil or after oil change. Used to make me very paranoid that the engine would go bang, but its usually fine after its up to normal temperature - they seemed take ages to warm up, even in summer. Seems much happier after a couple of hundred miles after new oil.

Tappets on modern engines should be self-adjusting, perhaps mine are as lazy as me!

 

[jimblive]

thats what i thought.

just moved house so my car is only doing 2 miles either way so was wondering if that might have something to do with it as it never really gets warmed up. ill just have to take it out for a good thrashing!

 

[Paul Clio 16v]

Its the hydralic tappets taking time to pump up with oil. Sometimes on older engines the oil ways get a little clogged so can take time to presurise. Low oil levels seem to make it worse perhaps because theres less oil for the engine to use. I think thats whats happening anyway.