I run a 130ps 1.8 Zetec in my 98R Escort Si, it has the EFi manifold & ECU & AFM.

I replaced the rocker cover with a nice Red one which is the old style one which said DOHC instead of Zetec 16V on the bottom left.

Soon after replacing the rocker cover (could be coincidental) I noticed the car sounds like a bloody diesel! Sounds like tappets are loose on an old 1.3 CVH fiesta

Any ideas? I noticed when taking the rocker cover off the bolts were all quite loose, so I've torqued them up a bit when putting it back on (but not much)

Could it be that plate on the inside? which sits at the back where the breather is and covers about half the cam. It's in the same position on each cover

 

Was the rocker cover shot blasted before being painted/powder coated? If so i'd look under the metal plate inside the cover, as i had one done for my focus which was left with blackpool pleasure beach under it The valves had to be hammered out of the guides and the whole engine was scrap. Hope this isn't the case for you though.

 

i should of checked that! I'll have a look later today to see if there is anything in that tray/ anything on the cams, etc that looks like skeg beach less the dog poo - I won't be overly pleased if there is

 

I wasn't when it happened to me, the engine had only covered 26k and was totally destroyed.

 

i've had a look, i couldn't see any butlins or ferrace wheels in there.
doesn't appear to be any debris, looks nice and clean

problem hasn't got worse, but it's still very much there

any ideas?