Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 14:02:28 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: HELP PLEASE! Noisy 16V Turbo
Paul wrote: > > I am the proud owner of a 1989 2 liter 16V turbo. The only probelm is I cannot > stop a terrible rattle from the hydraulic tappets. > > I bought the car 6 months ago after it had received some treatment to the head. > The tappets were noisy then but the previous owner assured me that I just > needed a few new tappets.It sounded like they were not sucking up the oil > through the holes in them to dampen the action. > > My local mechanic changed 14 out of 16 that were badly worn/losing elasticity. > The car still sounds like an old bus! > > I changed to Mobil 1 oil and put in new filters. It's had a compression test - > all OK and oil pressure tests - all OK. > > Has anybody got any advice or ideas? I'd be grateful for any and all > suggestions or information. > DEFINITELY check your oil pressure. The top of the head (the tappets) are the last thing to get lubricated, so if your oil pressure is low they will make noise. Something worth looking at is the oil feed lines which feed oil (appropriately) to the cam followers... Halfway through 1989 they switched from separate feed lines to feed lines integrated into the valve cover itself. The separate feed lines wear out - 100k or so is lifespan. They need to be replaced every so often or you'll get noise and eventually worn tappets. If there are not the separate variety, there is a special process that needs to be followed when reinstalling the valve cover, or air can become trapped in the feed lines, thus preventing proper oil delivery. -Justin