Tappets? Really doing my head in now! Please read.

[thegolfman 0]

Here's the story...

Big ends started rattling on my mk2 VR OBD2. I Managed to find and fit a lump that was rebuilt 'a year' ago, with 71k originally. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380252504197#ht_500wt_1154

Come to start it up and its tapping like a good un, sounds just like tappets need filling up, seeing as it has been sitting a while with no oil, and we also brought it back sitting upside down (boot of a renault clio 1.2!)

The engine pulls stronger and harder than the old one ever did, and sounds smoother and quieter but just bloody tapping like an old cvh engine! Ive now done 30 miles on it, and also tried wynns tappet stuff but no luck.

Oil pressure is showing 2bar at idle and 4bar at 2000rpm when hot, so thats fine.

Any ideas? How can you tell if a tappets got air in it without removing the cams? Or is it possible they still need a good run? Ive only been out for roughly 5 miles at a time.

Thanks.

[thegolfman 0]

Could The Tensioner Bolt be Putting to much pressure on the pad? I removed the Bolt, and it looked like the plunger was fully extended.

Ive done nearly 40 miles since fitting the engine now, Im sure the tappets would have filled up by now if they where going to.

[naffa 0]

I've just bought a Galaxy V6 with a newly rebuilt top end and the tappets are noisy on it.

Its done over 1k since the rebuild and its still noisy'ish ;~ {

[thegolfman 0]

Going to whip the valve cover off tomorrow, check the cams are clean and complete, check the chains and guide/tensioner, and then whip the tappets out and clean and prime them with fresh oil.

Will report back after.

Seems it may even be tapping louder when the oil reaches 90'c, although that may just be me worrying?!?

We will see.

[thegolfman 0]

Now a new problem.

I swapped the tappets from the old engine to the new.

Set bottom end to tdc using mark on clutch cover and gearbox,

Made a cam locking tool out of plate and fitted it. Removed cam sprockets after marking them to be twice as sure.

Removed cams and replaced tappets and reinstalled it all no problem, and was 100% it is all lined up correctly.

Started it and it just turned and turned on starter motor before a nice backfire from the exhuast.

Whipped the valve cover off again, and put a plastic tube down spark plug hole number one to double double check and it all lines up again?!?

I know the timing is out, but when cylinder 1 is at top dead centre, the cam locking tool fits in the grooves, so anybody know whats happened??

[thegolfman 0]

Thanks for the help all! :x

For those of you interested, the top timing tensioner had cracked, and i whipped everything off, and replaced the lot.

Its running spot on now.