The head on my 2wd saphire has developed a loud tappety noise which I thought may be a broken tappet, but after replacing the tappets (a couple did seem solid) the noise is still there.

I've taken the cam cover off and turned the engine over and you can here a distinctive metallic click/tap on the exhaust valves on cylinder 4.
When I took the cams out the inlet side has a lot more oil lying in the head than the exhaust side and it seems that the exhaust side is not getting fed enough oil.

It would seem that the oilway is blocked somehow or is there any other cause. The engine has good oil pressure.

Is this a common problem?

What's the best way of testing/unblocking the oilways or sorting the problem?


Cheers

Gordie

 

Hi mate, early 2wd model engines suffer from piston slap.The noise you are hearing could be a rattling piston if the engine was severly abused with boost pressure in the past.

 

get some hydraulic lifter cleaner (forte or wynns i think) and try that to c if it makes a difference.

If its just when the engine is cold, dont worry to much. The owners manual tells u that a cossie engine (2wd...duno about 4x4)will tap from cold because of the forged pistons (sorry, pissed and cant member all details.....read it in owners guide a when i bought mine)