ok, basically, when driving recently, i keep having the same problem. 4 no apparent reason the lifters just run dry, maybe 1 or multiple, i dnt kno, but it makes a large tapping noise, which can b cured by turning off and adding a bit of oil to the engine

the engine has plenty of oil, the engine gave consistent reading in a compression test, and there is absolutely no knocking frm the bottom end, so i assume this eliminates big end bearings and rings??

it does smoke a lot frm start up but this is dwn to dodgy valve stem seals and turbo seals i think, which im replacing very soon

so, any ideas y my lifters run dry? i dnt want to replace things 1 by 1 and get no joy, cos my budget doesnt really allow 4 this.

the only noise i hear is the noise frm the lifter/tappet wen it runs dry which then clears up after causing a bit of a misfire, then the engien is generally quiet aside frm being a tad more tappety than others iv heard

any ideas or input wud b appreciated