saiklon

Hi, after a rebuild of a MY95 RA due to failed bottom end (we replaced only the crankshaft, bearings and oil cooler), I now have a tapping noise on the left hand side head. The noise is RPM dependent and I think it's a valve lifter making the noise. The engine uses solid lifters.

Is there a way to find out which lifter is making the noise? And when I find it, how do I cure the problem?

Thanks

merlin24

iTrader: (1)

If its a solid lifter (shimed) then its more likely to have a big clearance on one or more of them.
If its a Hydraulic lifter,then if you stripped and cleaned them before re-assembly then they should be ok.
It has been known for the cam cap bolts (M6) to shear sometimes and causes a noise similar to a tappet noise.
Did you clean the oil gallerys and remove the oil restrictor and clean in the heads to ensure all the debris from the previous engine failure has been removed.
If not,you may have oil supply problems to the cam journals.
The only way to check is to remove the cam cover that side and inspect.

Mick

saiklon

Thanks for the reply.

The head was cleaned properly before being reassembled. I have also been able to find some information on the cam-lifter clearance. 0.2mm for inlet and 0.25mm for exhaust. I'll be taking it off this weekend to have it measured.

merlin24

iTrader: (1)

The valve clearance you said is right:
Inlets 0.006-0.008" (0.15-0.20mm)
Exhausts 0.008-0.010" (0.20 -0.25mm)
Did you not check the clearances when you built the engine up ??

Mick

saiklon

No, clearance wasn't checked. Didn't even know it was an issue.