Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

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Mooney
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Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

Hi,

I've just finished a 7000 mile road trip and my van now sounds like this (not my van):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWljFXLuz3o" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It happens hot or cold, gets louder when the engines warmed up and is in time with engine rpm in/decreasing. It's so loud that i have to shout to have a conversation with the passenger next to me. I thought it might need valve adjustment so i ran it till hot, backed out the adj screws until barely touching and turned in 1 1/2 turns. Better but still extremely loud. It never quietens down even after 8 hour trips and regular oil changes.

Does this sound like collapsed lifters or a bent push rod? Just trying to diagnose before i shell out for parts i don't need.

Thanks in advance :)
1983 1.9 DG WBX Automatic

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kevtherev
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by kevtherev »

Have you pushed the rocker arms to determine which lifters are faulty?
(They will be spongy)
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itchyfeet
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by itchyfeet »

what he says^^^ a duff lifter should be spongy, also go looking to check none of the clips and spring washers are missing from the rocker shaft, I had this and the rocker moves and so it it noisy.

I didn't watch the whole video but didn't see you rev it, may be worth doing this so we can hear what it's like.
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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Mooney
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

Is pushing the rocker arms, moving them back and forth for play? If so there was quite a lot when I was trying to adjust them. Had to turn in the screw a lot. If it’s spongy should it push back after I push it in (on the bottom half)? I’ll check that next when I work on it, bit hindered by the weather this week, been non stop rain.

I’ve gotten some new pushrod tubes so hopefully any duft lifters can be refurbished.

I’ll get a video of mine running and rev it next time I can work on it.

I’ll check that all the clips are in place, washers etc and hopefully get to the end of this.

Thanks for the advice, I’ll keep this thread updated.
1983 1.9 DG WBX Automatic

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itchyfeet
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by itchyfeet »

if a lifter is drained down ( no oil or air inside) when you turn the screw to "just touching" then you have to be very careful not to go too far and start compressing the lifter, you just want to take the slack up and then start your 2 turns preload.

You really should not keep driving it until this is sorted.

Be very careful you don't have the pushrod on the edge of the lifter you will cause damage
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1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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Mooney
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

Ok so update. Checked the lifters and 4 have collapsed. 2 on each side of the engine. I decided to take all 8 out and clean them, got 3 on the right side but the last one was stuck. It's also a collapsed lifter... sprayed it with carb clean for about a minute and hope it cleans it up enough. The other 3 are bathing in carb cleaner. Going to do the other 4 tomorrow, whilst I order some lifter retain clips, those things fly!

No pushrods are bent and all seem to be in good condition.

Any suggestions for cleaning the lifter in situ, as it's really jammed in there, I think its mushroomed.

Dont worry itchy, its gonna stay on axle stands until this is sorted.

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1983 1.9 DG WBX Automatic

Mooney
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

Ok so it seems the clips aren't for sale, just the whole lifter. Going to be wondering outside with a magnet for a while...

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itchyfeet
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by itchyfeet »

buy a whole new set of quality lifters like Kolbenschmidt, don't pi$$ about.

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/hydraulic- ... l-all.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
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itchyfeet
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by itchyfeet »

what are you trying to pull the lifter out with?

You can use a magnet on a stick or a cranked screw driver for more stubborn ones.
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1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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Mooney
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

I would but I read I should only do that if I'm putting in a new cam, because the old ones are shaped to the cam better? The way they're worn in.

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kevtherev
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by kevtherev »

Mooney wrote:I would but I read I should only do that if I'm putting in a new cam, because the old ones are shaped to the cam better? The way they're worn in.

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It's not true.
Just get some new ones
Put them in and adjust to TWO turns in from finger tight (just touching)
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

Got all but one out, ordered some new ones for the duft lifters and gonna clean and reinstall the working ones. The one that's still stuck is spongy but hopefully changing to a lighter oil and running it for a while it might pump it back up.
1983 1.9 DG WBX Automatic

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T25Convert
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by T25Convert »

From experience, the ones you have taken out and are now putting back will reward you by collapsing in the next week or so. They don't seem to like attention! I'd definitely replace them all whilst you are doing it.

I found a metal rod (old screwdriver) with a short coarse thread cut on the end could be encouraged to grip the recess in the tappet and fish even very stubborn ones out.
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itchyfeet
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by itchyfeet »

use assembly lube when putting the new lifters in, prime them with oil and add ZDDP to the engine oil such as camshield.
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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Mooney
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Re: Noisy tappets, collapsed lifters?

Post by Mooney »

Would I lube it all then fill with oil, or fill with oil and lube the outside parts?

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