My Car Became Tappy Today. Bugger.

[munster 0]

Ive had my mi16 for a few months now, and on the odd occasion she has been tapping slightly when first started. This would go away after about 5/10secs. (no real worry i thought)

However this evening i start her up to take the missus home and she starts tapping a like a b*stard, (the car that is) but this time it doesn't stop. I let it idle for a while and then drive down the road 200 hundred yards, and its still tapping. So i stopped the car and started her again, and it was all quite...

 

Im guessing this is a tappet problem. So where should i go from here? Oil change for starters, using a thin oil maybe? I take it the only real cure is to take the head off and sort them? Will not changing them damage the car in anyway?

 

The oil is at the correct level and very clean i should mention.

 

Thanks in advance

Edited September 8, 2008 by munster

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

Sounds like you have a sticky lifter, try an oil flush and then change and see if that helps.

[munster 0]

I will do.

I was thinking some semi synthetic 10/40w...

 

Is there actually any harm being done whilst it is tapping?

[Rob Thomson 6]

When I first fitted my Mi years ago it ran fine the first few times and then tapped like a bastard when I started it up again. It cured itself after a couple of minutes. Probably a year or so later it did the same thing again cured itself.

 

I wouldn't worry unless it becomes persistent.

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

Thats just because the tappets didnt have any oil in, once they are full the clearance is right therefore they stop tapping. As Tom says change the oil and put some good quality stuff in and see if that helps, if not have to look at changing them.

Edited September 9, 2008 by j_turnell