Engine tapping

[SidewayzSam]

Started to notice this the past couple of days.

My fan keeps coming on, a lot more than it used to, and the weather has been really cool/wet.

Also, my car seems to hesitate randomly throughout the rev range... :(

I've had a listen to the engine, holding it on low revs and it sounds a bit "growly". Like a kind of tapping noise.

I know its not easy to diagnose without getting it checked properly, but i just want to know if its to do with maybe the lambda causing the hesitation, and an air pocket causing the overheating... or is it major like the head gasket?

[thomas6361]

i had the same symptoms. is the idle a bit funny too? all mine was trapted air in the system and two of the spark plug wernt in properly!

[thomas6361]

the tapping on mine started off faint and got louder and louder.... it ended up like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHJccih4R7c

[pugsport]

try cleaning the tappets up may just be full of old crap engine oil that maybe what the tapping noise is

[SidewayzSam]

i had the same symptoms. is the idle a bit funny too? all mine was trapted air in the system and two of the spark plug wernt in properly!

It doesnt idle well anyway because its cammed. I've just taken it for a bit of a drive, seems fine now, no hesitating. Still got the growl from where the 16v badge is in the engine (inlet?) The tapping isnt anything like in that video, its more of a growl, like ermm, its goin grrrrr when you hold it at the same revs.

try cleaning the tappets up may just be full of old crap engine oil that maybe what the tapping noise is

Yeh i think im gonna change the spark plugs, oil and clean the tappets. The noise is coming from the bit near the bulk head with the 16v badge (inlet?), its not really a tapping but i imagine it will get worse.

Is it easy to clean the tappets on a 16v?

P.S. My knowledge is very limited hence the explanation of where the noise is coming from!

[Smiler-106GTI]

to clean tappets you have to remove the cams and make sure all the cam timimg is locked in the correct place or u will balls all the timing up and ya valves will collide with ya pistons

the 16v badge at the back which indeed is the inlet manifold does not have tappets in however the cam cover closest to the bulk head is for the inlet which could be where your tapping is cuming from.

my advise try a engine flush and some new oil if not take it to someone who knows what they doing

hope this helps mate let me no how u get on

[SidewayzSam]

Cheers mate, I'll see if a mini service sorts it out.. although I did an engine flush/oil change 2-3k ago.

Might stick some new spark plugs in there too.

Cleaning the tappets sounds a bit complex for me to attempt, so if im still having the same problem I will probably get one of the mechanics at my dads garage to do it.

I was just worried that it was the headgasket.

Thanks for all your responses! :D

[speedyr369]

My engine is tapping like the aweful engine posted on Youtuby by Thomas.
I dont suppose anybody has any ideas before I do a service.
To be honest I was hoping it is to do with the long awaited service, however I struggle to believe it is and think I need serious engine work.

[SidewayzSam]

Mine seems ok now, think it was just me being paranoid!

If you're engine is tapping like that youtube vid... I'd suggest you find a new lump :(

[speedyr369]

You think I need a new lump and this wont be rebuildable?

[thomas6361]

If you're engine is tapping like that youtube vid... I'd suggest you find a new lump :(


That vid was all down to spakplugs!

[speedyr369]

Thanks very much for the info, im gonna change the spark plugs on thursday and see how things go.
If theres nothing wrong with the engine then the money can be spent on upgrades....Fingers crossed

[speedyr369]

Awesome news, it was just a dodgy spark plug! Well saying that, one of them had snapped at the end and two of them were severely loose.
Pretty easy to understand now why she was tapping like a monster and misfiring constantly :D

[thomas6361]

good stuuf mate, glad it was a cheap fix for you too!

[Chris S]

Mines tapping a little bit, nowhere near as badly as thomas's vid. Its happened since i did an oil change which is quite weird. I think i might get it serviced properly